h masses of lava which
presented an appearance of singular beauty. They were black mounds, ten
or twelve feet in height, piled upon each other in the most varied forms,
their bases covered with a broad band of whitish-coloured moss, while the
tops were broken into peaks and cones of the most fantastic shapes.
These lava-streams seem to date from a recent period, as the masses are
somewhat scaly and glazed.

Grundivik, a little village of a few wretched cottages, lies like an
oasis in this desert of lava.

My guide wished to remain here, asserting that there was no place between
this and Keblevik where I could pass the night, and that it would be
impossible for our horses, exhausted as they were with yesterday's march,
to carry us to Keblevik that night. The true reason of this suggestion
was that he wished to prolong the journey for another day.

Luckily I had a good map with me, and by dint of consulting it could
calculate distances with tolerable accuracy; it was also my custom before
starting on a journey to make particular inquiries as to how I should
arrange the daily stages.

So I insisted upon proceeding at once; and soon we were wending our way
through fields of lava towards Stad, a small village six or seven miles
distant from Grundivik.

On the way I noticed a mountain of most singular appearance. In colour
it closely resembled iron; its sides were perfectly smooth and shining,
and streaks of the colour of yellow ochre traversed it here and there.

Stad is the residence of a priest. Contrary to the assertions of my
guide, I found this place far more cheerful and habitable than Grundivik.
Whilst our horses were resting, the priest paid me a visit, and conducted
me, not, as I anticipated, into his house, but into the church. Chairs
and stools were quickly brought there, and my host introduced his wife
and children to me, after which we partook of coffee, bread and cheese,
&c. On the rail surrounding the altar hung the clothes of the priest and
his family, differing little in texture and make from those of the
peasants.

The priest appeared to be a very intelligent, well-read man. I could
speak the Danish language pretty fluently, and was therefore able to
converse with him on various subjects. On hearing that I had already
been in Palestine, he put a number of questions to me, from which I could
plainly see that he was alike well acquainted with geography, history,
natural science, &c. He accomp