Mímir. Icelandic institutions with adresses - 15.12.1903, Blaðsíða 28

i8 IN DENMARK
regulations, which he established for the management of the
one and the preservation of the other; by the only additional
endowment, which it has received since his time; and by the
j editorship and comments of a majority of the texts which it
has published. Considering these facts it may surprise the
learned world to know that no native Icelandic scholar has,
for many years, participated in its government. In this unfor-
tunate condition of things, it is certainly gratifying to note
that the Commission has not, so far as is known, failed to
obey the stipulation, made by the founder, that the stipends
provided by his fund should be conferred only upon his stu-
dious countrymen. It is not to be contested that some of the
non-Icelanders, like the present custodian of the manuscripts,
have done work in connection with the Commission and its
objects, worthy of high praise. — Chairman of the Commission:
Dr. J. L. Ussing, (formerly professor of Greek and Latin, and
editor of many works in or relating to those languages). The
four other members of the Commission are Danish scholars of
high repute, none of whom have visited Iceland. Acting
Secretary, Dr Kristian Kaalund, keeper of the Arna-
Magnaean collection, which consists of 3,000 MSS. and
6,000 diplomas, all of which form a distinct department in the
University Library at Copenhagen. Present Arna-Magnoean
stipendiary, Bogi Thorarensen MelsteS, M. A.
The Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries (Det kon-
gelige danske Oldskrift-Selskab; Hid konunglega norrcena forn-
ritafelag). Established 1825 at the instigation of Professor Charles
Christian Rafn, who remained until his death (1864) its secre-
tary and its virtual director. Its statutes indicated as its first
object “especially, by the publication and interpretation of
Old-Icelandic writings and by any other steps which may serve
that purpose to throw light upon the language, history and
antiquities of the ancient North.” With the liberal help of many
erudite Icelanders (such as Finnur Magnusson, Dr. Sveinbjorn