Tourist in Iceland, The - 01.01.1892, Blaðsíða 2

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THE TOURIST IN ICELAND.
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which are more than ample attractions to
draw vast multitudes to our shores.
Such is briefly stated the country which we
now are going to open to our foreign readers
and therefore we have given this paper the
name of
The Tourist in Iceland.
It is our intention to let this paper be as
instructive as possible, and give as varied
an information as lies within our reach, with
a view of attracting as many visitors to our
shores as possible.
This paper will appear once a month, and
perhaps oftener during the summer. As this
enterprise will entail some considerable ex-
pense and our subscribers will be but few
in Iceland, it is evident its success will great-
ly depend upon the support we get from our
friends in Great Britain, America and other
foreign contries, but we will endeavour to
make it as attractive as possible.
With these introductionary remarks we send
»The Tourist in Iceland« out into the world,
trusting it may be a new bond of acquain-
tance and friendship between our country
and the other civilised world.
MY FIRST TRIP TO PING VELLIR
(THING VALIA).
We are all more or less apt to stare at
the grandeur of what we term the foremost
nations of the world. Their weight in the
affairs of men is so potent, that we instincti-
vely are drawn by the current of populur
opinion, so that we have but little time or
leisure to glance at the more obscure parts
of the world. Often these out-of-the-way-
places, however, are highly interesting—and
when studying their history and looking at
their natural beauties we are amply rewarded
for our trouble of being as it were exception
to the rule.
I had accidentally heard the name of
Iceland, being an island far away from
the track of civilisation, and being anxious
to add some spiritual vigour to my mind,
and some fresh and healthy stimulant
to my body, I took my passage with the s. s.
Laura from Granton to Reykjavik.
There is nothing particular to relate on our
voyage. The Atlantic Ocean seemed unusually
quiet, and my fellow passengers seemed all
agreeable companions. We discussed all
manners of questions: the Irish homerule; the
German Emperor, his travels and peculiarities;
the Chilian war; the future peace of Europe)
the important question of capital and labour;
the next Great Exhibition at Chicago, fini-
shing with some intricate questions as to the
future state and ultimate abode of our fellow
men.
This went on till we cast anchor before
the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik.
I parted quite friendly with my fellow tra-
vellers, being delighted that there had been
very little waste of time in talking about
puddings or pies or balls or parties, which
often is the table talk of many civilised
men.
I soon secured a guide and ponies, and
next morning we were off for Mngvellir.
The weather was excellent, and as we
left the little town behind us, we had a
magnificent view of the grand Faxabay, with
mount Sneefellsjokull looking north-west, like
an ancient giant, with over 10,000 years or
more on his snowclad brow. The harbour of
Reykjavik is very pretty protected by three
islands with the stately mount Esja in the
back ground.
I noticed that the road was lately made
and very good. Passing over the salmon river
Ellihaar by two small bridges we passed on
till we had reached Seljadalur. There we
dismounted so as to give our ponies some
grassy refreshments, and ourselves some
suitable food. There we were quite alone,
the guide and I inhaling the envigourating
mountain air, revelling in good health and
spirits, no rattling sound of trains nor whist-
ling noise of a passing locomotiv; no time to
look after nor fixed appointment to make
for the day.
Starting again we passed over a mountain
track called Mosfellsheibi, where there was