Tourist in Iceland, The - 01.01.1892, Blaðsíða 4

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THE TOURIST IN ICELAND.
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of its situation, the whole ground being lava,
so that no unhealthy damps can arrive from
the ground. Nowhere is the water so pure
being filtered by the process of nature itself.
Nowhere in Iceland is the death rate so low;
during summer there grow shrubberies out of
the lava rocks, which give a most peculiar
sweet odour. The grand Lake of bingvellir
close to must also add to the sanitary effect
of the place. The pure mountain air is pe-
culiarity sweet and envigourating, being nei-
ther too cold nor too warm. Then again when
we look at the grand scenery all round, as
well as the historical celebrity of the place
besides being on the road to Geysir and
Hekla, we may justly conclude, that nowhere
in Iceland is a spot more suitable for a sani-
tary station than Pingvellir.
TO THE TOP OF MO UNT ORTEFAJOKULL.
In the Icelandic journal »Isafold« of 29th
of August last is a very interesting article
written by Mr. Fred. W. W. Howell of Bir-
mingham, F. R. G. S., describing his ascent
to the top of Oraefajokull, the highest glacier
in Iceland. He commenced his ascent with
his companion Mr. J. Coulthard of Preston
and 3 Icelandic guides at 4 a. m. on the 17th
of August last from the parsonage of Sand-
fell.
As space does not allow further description,
suffice it to say, that at 7^2 in the evening
they had accomplished this fact and had rea-
ched to the very summit of the glacier, the
hight being 6550 ft. english.
From the time they left Sandfell in the
morning at 4 o’clock a. m. till they were back
again at Sandfell was 2D/2 hour.
In the same journal »Isafold« of 24th of
Oct. last is an interesting article on Mr. W.
W. Howells ascent of Oreefajokull by the rec-
tor of Sandfell, the Rev. Olafur Magnusson,
from which Ave quote the following:
»In the introductory remarks of Mr. Howells
article before quoted he considers himself to
be the very first man, who has actually rea-
ched the summit, and he is undoubtedly right;
for although the late Dr Sveinn Palsson (in
1794) and others have ascended the glacier,
yet it is comparatively certain, that Mr. Howell
is the very first person Avho has reached the
very summit. He fully deserves therefore
the honour and celebrity, which this coura-
geous journey most likely has in store for
him. Near here and especially among his
Icelandic companions (guides) he is noted for
his ascent upon the socalled »wrong peak«,
for in so doing he displayed great courage
and cleverness, by climbing almost a perpen-
dicular ice wall 80 to 100 ft. high by making
steps with his axe; even his companions dared
not follow him, although they are used to
dangerous mountain ascents. Mr. HoAvell re-
marks from mere courtesy and consideration
to them, that they did not follow him on ac-
count of their want of another axe; this, howe-
ver, was not the case; for they had with them
beloAV another axe belonging to Mr. Howell,
and that the better one, but they declined to
go higher, thinking it simply dangerous for
their life to go farther. They also considered
that Mr. Howells descent Avas combined with
so much danger, that nothing but great mercy
preserved him to come back hail and well
as he did«.
THE COMMERCE OF ICELAND.
The trade of Iceland is as yet in a transi-
tory state; Avhich is quite natural, when Ave
take into consideration, that only since 1854
have we had free trade opened to all nations.
The bartering system is still existing and the
principal houses only keep their agents in
Iceland, the owners residing in Copenhagen;
all the cream of the business is spent in a
foreign country, and Iceland itself reaps but
a scanty benefit.
This is, however, gradually taking another
turn. The Icelanders themselves have in
some places started business on their OAvn
account, and as a rule they live in their own
country, and feel interest in the material pro-
gress of Iceland.
Lately a large business has sprung up be-