the yoke of an oppressor at home, that, in
the course of sixty years, the whole of the
coasts, and most of the habitable parts,
are said to have been occupied by the new
settlers.
As thepopulation increased, the necessity of
having a regular form of government became
apparent; and, accordingly, about the year
928, a constitution was established, which
continued in full vigor for more than three
hundred and thirty years. This early state of
the republic was evidently an aristocracy. The
island was divided into four quarters, to
which were given the names of the cardinal
points of the compass; these also into three
(with the exception of the northern quarter,
where, on account of its extent, there were
four) lesser divisions, or prefectures, which
were called Pyng; and these again were subdivided
into ten or more districts, called
Hreppars. In each of them a number of
inhabitants, not less than twenty, possessed
of a certain portion of landed property*,
constituted an assembly. Out of
* Those who were t.o be admitted into this assembly
were chosen at a meeting of all the members; it was
this body, five were chosen, who were the
most celebrated, in the first instance, for
their wisdom and integrity, and, in the
next, for their wealth and possessions (lest
they should be exposed to contempt or corruption)
and appointed judges, or Hrepps-
stiorars, who were privileged to convoke the
assemblies, to pass sentence, and to punish
crimes in their respective courts. It wsfs their
office, moreover, to attend to the wants of
the poor, and to prevent, as much as lay in
their power, the lower class of people* from
particularly their interest to exclude all such as were
likely to be reduced in circumstances; for, in that
case, the person and his family were maintained at
the expence of the assembly. It was, moreover, enacted
by law, that, when any of the members of the
Hreppar were suffering under the loss of houses or
buildings, by fire or any other accident, or of cattle
by disease, an estimate of the damage should be made
within fourteen days and the full amount be paid to
the sufferer, either out of public funds, established
for the purpose, or by a collection made at the house
of every individual, each member paying according to
his substance.
* Every pauper was to be admitted into the family
of his nearest relative, if he had any, otherwise he was
to reside in his own Hreppar, and be supported
entirely at the public expence.