of this kind have lately appeared in the island, adapted chiefly to the use of the farmers, or those of the middle class; in which moral instruction is judiciously blended with amusing information in various branches of knowledge. The most valuable of these writings is a work, called Evening Hours,' which was published by the late Bishop Finsson, a few years before his death.

While the studies of literature are thus cherished among the Icelanders of the present time, science, strictly so called, engages but few votaries; and these follow with feeble and tardy steps the rapid progress which has been made among the European nations. Even in the department of natural history, where the situation of the people does not oppose the same obstacles as in other scientific pursuits, there are few individuals who have acquired more than a superficial knowledge of the subject, and few works have been published, which possess value either from the extent or accuracy of their information. Most of the writings of the Icelanders upon the natural history of their own country, display indeed a singular vagueness of description, and more of superstitious belief than is entirely consistent with the other habits and attainments of the people. When considered, however, the latter circumstances will scarcely be thought surprising. In forming the scenes which surround them, nature seems to have deserted all her ordinary operations, and to have worked only in combining the most terrific extremes which her powers can command. Nor is it merely a passive and silent desolation which marks this tremendous influence. After the lapse of ages, the fire of the volcano still bursts out among regions of eternal snow, the earthquake still shakes the foundations of the island, and the impetuous thundering of

the Geyser yet invades the stillness of the surrounding solitude. Living amidst so many wonders of nature, and ignorant of natural causes, the Icelanders are readily infected by superstition relating to these objects; and this influence is observable in most of the descriptions they have given of their own country. In later times, however, such superstitions have greatly declined; and during the last century, several works have appeared, descriptive of the natural history of the island, in which accurate observation is conjoined with some degree of scientific knowledge. The author of most reputation in this department is Eggert Olafson, who in 1749 printed his Enarrationes Historica de Islandia Naturâ et Constitutione; and afterwards in conjunction with Paulson, another naturalist, published a larger work, under the title of

Travels in Iceland;' in which the various objects in its natural history are carefully and minutely described. The mineralogical details in this book are very ample; but owing to the want of arrangement, and of suitable nomenclature, they are not easily intelligible to the reader. In 1780, a work by Olaf Olafson, entitled, Economical Travels through the northern parts of Iceland,' was published in two volumes quarto; containing much valuable informa tion upon the natural history of this district. Two smaller treatises are subjoined to the work; one on the Surturbrand, the other on the Sulphur beds of Iceland. Several descriptions have been published of the different volcanic eruptions during the last century; among which may be mentioned, the treatises of John Sæmundson on the eruptions around the lake of Myvatn, in 1724, 1725, 1727, and 1728; the treatise of Bishop Finsson on the eruption from Hecla in 1766; and that of Mr Stephenson on the great erup

tions in 1783, at Cape Reikianes, and from the mountains of the Skaptaa Jokul. The person said at present to be the best naturalist in Iceland, and particularly intimate with botanical science, is Swein Paulson, one of the medical practitioners of the country, whose abode is near the volcano of Kattlegiau Jokul on the southern coast. His principal original work is on the diseases of Iceland; but he has written also several treatises on the natural history of the island, and on the rural economy of the people, which are said to possess great merit. Mr Stephenson has distinguished himself in the same department; and in many of his writings, has laboured to make his countrymen avail themselves of all the means of improving their condition, which are rendered possible by the nature of their soil and climate.

The science of astronomy and mathematics are by no means generally cultivated among the Icelanders; though there are some individuals who have successfully pursued these studies, either in the island itself, or with the better opportunities which were afforded by a residence in the Danish metropolis. The study ofthe mathematics, though prescribed by the regulations of the school of Bessestad, receives but little attention there; nor does it in general form a part of the private occupation of those, who enjoy a literary character in the island. No purely mathematical work is extant in the Icelandic language; but in a book of arithmetic, which was written some time ago by the elder Mr Stephenson, trigonometry and the elements of equations are briefly included. Stephen Biornson, formerly the master of the school at Hoolum, published in the acts of the Icelandic Society a treatise on statics, which is well spoken of. This man, whose acquirements in various

branches of science were very con siderable, died at Copenhagen about the beginning of the present century.

After all that has been said in the preceding pages of the poverty of the Icelanders, and of the nature of the country upon which their destiny is cast, it will not be thought wonderful that the fine arts should desert a clime so little congenial to their growth. Painting exists here only in its rudest forms; the native music of the island is inharmonious and uncouth; while the art of sculp ture is almost entirely unknown. În proof, however, that these deficiencies must be ascribed to the situation of the people, and not to a defect in original genius, it may be mentioned that Thorvaldson, theson of an Icelander, dwelling on the classic ground of Rome, is at the present moment second only to Canova among the statuaries of Europe.

Before closing this sketch of the literature of Iceland, it will be necessary to say something of the Icelandic Societies, to which a reference has already more than once been made. The first of these was instituted at Copenhagen in 1779, with the professed object of aiding the literature of the island, and bettering the condition of the inhabitants, by the suggestion of improvements in their rural economy. The Society, at its first establishment, was composed of only twelve members; but the number was afterwards extended to about a hundred and thirty; comprising all the most learned and intelligent men in Iceland; and as extraordinary members, many individuals of much eminence on the continent of Europe. Fourteen volumes of transactions have been published by the Society; the contents of which are various, comprehending many valuable papers upon the fishery, agriculture,

and

and natural history of Iceland; poetry; historical essays, &c. The principal writers were Bishop Fins son; the elder Mr Stephenson, then Governor of the island; Mr Ericson; Mr Paulson; Mr Ketilson, Sysselman of Dale; and many others of the literary Icelanders, whose names have before been mentioned. These transactions were entirely composed in the Icelandic language, and great attention was paid to the preservation of its purity; two censors being appointed to judge of the style of every essay which was presented for publication. In 1790, considerable dissensions arose in the society, in consequence of a project for transferring it to Iceland; and this circumstance, with other concurring events, had the effect of suspending all the proceedings of the institution. Though still nominally in existence, it has now for a long period been entirely dormant.

The second Icelandic Society was established in the island in 1794; chiefly under the auspices of the Chief Justice Stephenson, who had been a strenuous advocate for the removal of the former Society from Copenhagen. The original number of members was not less than twelve hundred; most of the farmers, as well as the priests and civil officers of the country, being included. The object of the institution was the promotion of knowledge and improve ment among the people; and with this view, a fund was provided by the annual contribution of a dollar from each member, and devoted to the publication of books, to be distributed among the subscribers. The printing establishment at Hoolum, which had fallen into decline, and another which in 1773 was instituted at Hrappsey, an island in the Breide-Fiord, were purchased by the Society; and a printing office, under their management, established at Leira, in the Borgar-Fiord

Syssel. From this press have issued, for the use of the Society, fifty or sixty different works; some of them translated, but the greater number original, and comprising a very great variety of subjects; history, poetry, divinity, law, medicine, natural history, and rural economy. In his situation of President, Mr Stephenson has had the superintendance of the funds of the Society, the entire direction of their various publications, and the management of a small, but well chosen collection of books, which was presented to them by some literary characters of the Danish metropolis. Though his exertions, however, for the support of the institution have been incessant, it has notwithstanding greatly declined during the last few years; and, at present, the number of members does not exceed thirty or forty. The successive occurrence of several unfavourable seasons, and the evils entailed upon the Icelanders by the war between England and Denmark, have contributed in some degree to produce this decline. It was found, too, that there was much difficulty in accomplishing the scheme for the distribution of books, among a people dispersed over so vast an extent of country, and dur ing a great part of the year so entirely separated from each other by the barriers of nature. Some little fault has, perhaps, also existed in the general management of the institution. The office of censorship of the press, vested in one individual, has had the effect of disgusting or deterring many, whose connection would have done credit to the Society; while by giving too much weight to this single judgment, it has been the means of bringing forth many works, little adapted to the comprehension of those, for whose use they were designed. In the present state of the Society, it is particularly

particularly unfortunate that the only printing establishment in Iceland should be thus exclusively appropriated; and as a matter of general policy, it may be doubted whether, under any circumstances, such a corporate institution ought thus to monopolize the literary growth of the country. As guides and protectors to the progress of knowledge, institutions are good:when they become arbitrary rulers, their influence but retards the course of mental improvement, and proves baneful to the very energies which gave them birth.

Such is the present state of mental cultivation among this singular people. The disparity of their physical and moral circumstances forms an interesting feature equally in the history of literature, and in that of the human species. While the calamities of internal warfare, and the oppression of tyrannical governments, have clouded with ignorance and barbarity countries on which the sun of nature sheds its brightest beams, the possession of peace, of political liberty, and well ordered laws, has given both intellectual and moral exaltation to a community, which has its abode at the very confines of the habitable world.

Account of the Introduction of Sir Harford Jones, British Envoy, to the King of Persia.

(From Morier's Travels.) HE procession proceeded thro'

crowded by the curious, until we came to the large Maidan, at the entrance of which were chained a lion and a bear. It then turned to the right, and, crossing over a bridge, entered into the Ark, or fortified palace of the King, the building which contains every part of the royal household. Here the Envoy,

and

as a mark of respect to the King of Persia, ordered the guard to sheath swords. There were troops on both sides, and cannon in several parts; and, when we reached the first court, two very thick lines of soldiers were ranged to form an avenue for us. They were disciplined and dressed something after our manner, and went through their exercise as we passed. About thirty paces from the imperial gate, the takht-e-ravan stopped: we then dismounted; the Envoy and I, advancing uncovered to it, took out the King's letter and the dish of presents. We proceeded through dark passages, until we came to a small room, where were seated Norooz Khan (a relation of the royal family, and Ish Agassi, or Master of the Ceremo nies) and Mahomed Hussein Khan Mervee, a favourite of the King, and a deputy Lord Chamberlain, with other noblemen, who were waiting to entertain us. Our presentation was to take place in the Khalvet Khoneh, or private Hall of Audience, for it was then the Ashooreh of the month of Moharrem,---a time of mourning, when all matters of ceremony or of business are suspended at court. The King of Persia, therefore, paid a signal respect to his Britannic Majesty, in fixing the audience of his Envoy so immediately after his arrival, and more particularly at a season when public affairs are so generally intermitted.

After we had sat here about half an hour, smoked and drank coffee,

the platoon as we passed, while the little Persian drummers beat their drums. The line presented arms to the Envoy, and the officers saluted. In the middle of the Dewan Khonéh was the famous throne built at Yezd, of the marble of the place, on which the King sits in public, but to which we did not approach sufficiently near for any accurate observation. We ascended two steps on the left, and then passed under arched ways into another spacious court filled in the same manner; but the men were mostly sitting down, and did not rise as we approached. We crossed the centre of this court, and came to a small and mean door, which led us through a dark and intricate passage. When we were arrived at the end of it, we found a door still more wretched, and worse indeed than that of any English stable. Here Norooz Khan paused, and marshaled us in order; the Envoy first, with the King's letter; I followed next with the presents, and then, at the distance of a few paces, the rest of the gentlemen. The door was opened, and we were ushered into a court laid out in canals and playing fountains, and at intervals lined by men richly dressed, who were all the grandees of the kingdom. At the extremity of a room, open in front by large windows, was the King in person. When we were opposite to him, the Master of the Ceremonies stopped, and we all made low bows; we approached most slowly again, and at another angle stopped and bowed again. Then we were taken immediately fronting the King, where again we bowed most profoundly. Our conductor then said aloud,

"Most mighty Monarch, Director of the World,

"Sir Harford Jones, Baronet, Embassador from your Majesty's brother, the King of England, hav

ing brought a letter and some presents, requests to approach the dust of your Majesty's feet, (Hag pace. mobarek bashed, literally), that the dust of your feet may be fortunate."

The King, from the room, said in a loud voice, “ Khosh Amedeed, you

are welcome." We then took off

our slippers, and went into the royal presence. When we were entered, throne with the letter; Mirza Shefthe Envoy walked up towards the half way, and, taking it from him, feea, the prime minister, met him carried it up and placed it before the King; he then came back, and received the presents from my hands, and laid them in the same place. The Envoy then commenced a written speech to the King in English, which at first startled his Majesty, but seemed to please him much, as resident at Shiraz, came forward and soon as Jaffer Ali Khan, the English read it in Persian. The original was as follows:

"May it please your Majesty, "The King my Master, willing to renew and strengthen those ties of friendship and alliance which subsisted between the Kings of Persia and of England, has deputed me to the foot of your Majesty's throne, with the expression of these His Royal wishes and intentions.

To have been charged with such a commission, I shall always consider as the most distinguished and honourable event of my life; and, when I thus deliver to your Majesty the letter of my most gracious and Royal Master, I feel coafident in being honoured with your Majesty's protection and favour.

"May the Great Disposer of all events grant your Majesty an increase of honour and prosperity, and may the friendship and interests of England and Persia henceforward become inseparable."

The King then answered in re

turn