Its color was of a paler yellow than what 1
had been accustomed to see either in England
or the north of Scotland, and its figure most
variable ; sometimes extending in one narrow
line apparently half-way across the heavens ;
then rapidly expanding in width and contracting
in length, altering in form and brilliancy
every moment. Sometimes, too, these
meteors are confined to one single spot,
while at other times they are seen in many
different parts at once, but shifting their situations
every instant. Upon this subject,
Povelsen and Olafsen, whose opportunities
of making remarks were so greatly superior
to mine, at the same time that they confirm
my observation how extremely variable the
Aurora Borealis is in Iceland in its form
and situation, add, that it is not less so in
the periods of its appearing. They say it is
rare to see it illuminating the horizon without
at the same time being sensible of an
evident unsteadiness in itj and that it often
exhibits the various hues of red, yellow,
green, and purple, now flickering with an
undulatory motion, and now shooting out
into lengthened straight lines, (en forme de
fusées.)
I forbear to speak of the mineralogy of the
island, because my ignorance of that important
branch of natural history would prevent
my being able to offer any remarks
farther than I could collect from other
authors. Few countries, perhaps, present
so interesting a field for the geologist.
While waiting for the sailing of the ship,
one of my little excursions in the neighborhood
of Reikevig led me to Bessestedr, about
eight or nine miles distant, a place that was
for a long time the residence of the governors
of the country, but is now only remarkable
for having one of the neatest churches I any
where saw, and a Latin school, the only one
in the island. On this account, I may be
the more readily allowed, in addition to
what I have to offer from my own obser-
vation, to enlarge upon its history, with
which I am furnished by Mr. Jorgensen,
who accompanied me in this expedition.
The building itself is of stone, and tolerably
good, having of late undergone considerable
reparations, but the filth within can scarcely
be exceeded by the worst of the poor-houses
in our country. A staircase, encrusted with