6 o VIDOE.
better repair, might answer very well for a
screen to the cold winds, but, in its present
shattered state, is neither fit for use nor
ornament. I could compare it to nothing so
much as a pig-stye placed against the wall,
and made rather higher than usual. However,
with all this want of artificers, which appeared
on the exterior of the house, there
was a possessor within, whose reception of
us and whose excellent fare would do credit
to the actual governor, much more to the exgovernor,
of any country, and deserve to be
mentioned rather particularly. Indeed, I am
the more tempted to enlarge upon this subject,
as it is the first opportunity I have had
of seeing the manners of a well-bred Icelander,
and it is scarcely possible to have a
more favorable one. When we were within
a few hundred yards of the house, the Stifts-
amptman came to welcome us to the country,
and to his little island. He had a fine
and healthy countenance, and, although in
his seventy-eighth year, had the perfect use
of his faculties. In conversation he was extremely
fluent and animated. He wore, on
this occasion, his full-dress uniform as Governor
of Iceland, except the sword. Hi«
VIDOE. 61
coat was of scarlet cloth, turned up with
green, and ornamented with gold lace: his
pantaloons of blue cloth, with gold trimmings;
and he had half-boots with gold bindings
and tassels, and a three-cornered hat, O 9
likewise ornamented with gold tassels, and
trimmings of the same, and with a long
white feather. We were immediately ushered
through the portico, where we were obliged
to stoop at the door-way, into a spacious
hall, with a large wooden staircase; and
hence through a large and lofty parlor into
his bed-room, where I presented to him a
letter of introduction, and a present of prints
and books from Sir Joseph Banks, whose
Very name made him almost shed tears.
During the time that Mr. Jorgensen was
translating the letter to him, he frequently
interrupted his reading, to relate some of
the many noble and generous acts which
Baron Banks (as he called him) had done
for his countrymen. He asked a hundred
questions about him in the most affectionate
manner, particularly respecting his age and
health. Then he related anecdotes of what
passed during Sir Joseph’s stay in the
island thirty-sevenj years ago, in a manner