and eastern coasts of his own island, where
much timber is frequently cast by the waves
of the sea, conveyed, as it is supposed, by
the winds and currents from North America.
The natural history of the island, its volcanoes,
its sulphur-springs, and its boiling
fountains,' are spoken of so much at large in
the Journal and Appendix that it is needless
in this place to mention them. Those who
may be desirous of more information on any
of the points here glanced at, I beg to refer
to the able works of Von Troil and Povelsen
and Olafsen; for these pages, to use the
words of the most popular poet of our days,
“ are but a tale of Iceland's Isle, and not a
history,”
Halesworth, December 9, 1812,
RECOLLECTIONS
O P
ICELAND.
Ju n e7’ ARLY dlls morning, the Margaret
| and Anne, Captain Liston, bound for
Reikevig in Iceland, being ready for sea, and
my luggage having been previously sent on
board, Mr. Phelps, Mr. Jorgensen, and myself
embarked from Gravesend. From the
excellent accommodation which the vessel
afforded, and the pleasant society of the two
companions of my voyage, I flattered myself,
and not in vain, with as agreeable an excursion
as the nature of the circumstances
would allow. Friday, however, being considered
by all sailors as an unlucky day to
commence a voyage, our people were so tardy
in their preparations to get under way,
VOL. I. B