o-pipes in their mouths, spitting plentifully on the floor. The
unrestrained evacuation of saliva seems to be a fashion all over Iceland;
but whether the natives learned it from the Danes, or the Danes from the
natives, we did not ascertain. Several ladies whose virtue could not
bear a very strict scrutiny were pointed out to us.

"During the dances, tea and coffee were handed about; and negus and punch
were ready for those who chose to partake of them. A cold supper was
provided, consisting of hams, beef, cheese, &c., and wine. While at
table, several of the ladies sang, and acquitted themselves tolerably
well. But I could not enjoy the performance, on account of the incessant
talking, which was as fashionable a rudeness in Iceland as it is now in
Britain. This, however, was not considered as in the least unpolite.
One of the songs was in praise of the donors of the entertainment; and,
during the chorus, the ceremony of touching each other's glasses was
performed. After supper, waltzes were danced, in a style that reminded
me of soldiers marching in cadence to the dead march in Saul. Though
there was no need of artificial light, a number of candles were placed in
the rooms. When the company broke up, about three o'clock, the sun was
high above the horizon."

{29} A man of eighty years of age is seldom seen on the
island.--_Kerguelen_.

{30} Kerguelen (writing in 1768) says: "They live during the summer
principally on cod's heads. A common family make a meal of three or four
cods' heads boiled in sea-water."--ED.

{31} This bakehouse is the only one in Iceland, and produces as good
bread and biscuit as any that can be procured in Denmark. [In
Kerguelen's time (1768) bread was very uncommon in Iceland. It was
brought from Copenhagen, and consisted of broad thin cakes, or
sea-biscuits, made of rye-flour, and extremely black.--ED.]

{32} In all high latitudes fat oily substances are consumed to a vast
extent by the natives. The desire seems to be instinctive, not acquired.
A different mode of living would undoubtedly render them more susceptible
to the cold of these inclement regions. Many interesting anecdotes are
related of the fondness of these hyperborean races for a kind of food
from which we would turn in disgust. Before gas was introduced into
Edinburgh, and the city was lighted by oil-lamps, several Russian
noblemen visited that metropolis; and it is said that their longing for
the luxury of