this time Iceland was still so completely covered with underwood, that
at some points it was necessary to cut a passage. Bringing with them
their language, religion, customs, and historical monuments, the
Norwegians introduced a kind of feudal system, which, about the year 928,
gave place to a somewhat aristocratic government, retaining, however, the
name of a republic. The island was divided into four provinces, over
each of which was placed an hereditary governor or judge.

The General Assembly of Iceland (called Allthing) was held annually on
the shores of the Lake Thingvalla. The people possessed an excellent
code of laws, in which provision had been made for every case which could
occur.

This state of things lasted for more than 300 years, a period which may
be called the golden age of Iceland. Education, literature, and even
refined poetry flourished among the inhabitants, who took part in
commerce and in the sea-voyages which the Norwegians undertook for
purposes of discovery.

The "Sagas," or histories of this country, contain many tales of personal
bravery. Its bards and historians visited other climes, became the
favourites of monarchs, and returned to their island covered with honour
and loaded with presents. The _Edda_, by Samund, is one of the most
valued poems of the ancient days of Iceland. The second portion of the
_Edda_, called _Skalda_, dates from a later period, and is ascribed by
many to the celebrated Snorri Sturluson. Isleif, first Bishop of
Skalholt, was the earliest Icelandic historian; after him came the noted
Snorri Sturluson, born in 1178, who became the richest and mightiest man
in Iceland.

Snorri Sturluson was frequently followed to the General Assembly of
Iceland by a splendid retinue of 800 armed men. He was a great historian
and poet, and possessed an accurate knowledge of the Greek and Latin
tongues, besides being a powerful orator. He was also the author of the
_Heims-kringla_.

The first school was founded at Skalholt, about the middle of the
eleventh century, under Isleif, first Bishop of Iceland; four other
schools and several convents soon followed. Poetry and music seem to
have formed a staple branch of education.

The climate of Iceland appears to have been less inclement than is now
the case; corn is said to have grown, and trees and shrubs were larger
and thicker than we find them at present. The population of Iceland was
also much more numerous than it is