They were both handsome in their persons,
and had beautiful complexions. During the
dinner, a large sheep, the finest of the flock,
was brought into the room for us to see,
the seams and borders of the sleeves ornamented with
fine gold lace, with another stripe of the same down
the breast, and gold embroidery near the opening in
front, which, at the bottom, is never fastened, but left
wide, to exhibit the ornaments of the bodice. The
Kraga is a stiff and flat collar, an inch and a half wide,
completely encircling the neck, and fastened to the
upper part of the jacket; this is also embroidered with
gold, and sets off the pretty face of an Icelandic girl to
great advantage ; from the opening in the sleeve hang
spherical ornaments, called Ermaknappa, of silver gilt,
instead of buttons. The Halstrefell is merely a piece
of white linen put round the neck, over which is
bound the Hals Sikener, or neck-handkerchief, of purple
silk. Around this the Hals Festi, neck-chain, three
feet and a half long, of silver gilt, and of very curious
workmanship, is wound three times, by which means
it covers about two inches in depth of the blue silk,
and has a very good effect upon it; on one end of it is
fastened a large bracelet (NistiJ curiously ornamented,
and hung round with the initials of the owner: this,
also, is of silver gilt. The stockings ( Socka) of an
Icelandic lady are generally of dark blue worsted; the
shoes (Shor) are made of the skin of seals or sheep : an
oblong piece is slit down two or three inches before and
behind, and sewed up somewhat in the form of the foot,
which it soon takes the shape of f>y stretching, and is
and was then sent on board our boat as a
present. It had horns, was entirely white,
and was covered with an extremely coarse and
almost straight long wool, intermixed with
drawn tight by a leather thong running along the edge,
and tied over the foot. These are so easily made, that
I paid only six shillings for a dozen pair. This dress
is applicable only to unmarried ladies of rank. To the
wedding-dress two rich ornaments are added: one is
the Koffiur, or fillet, worn round the head-dress ; it is
made in the same manner, and of the same materials,
as the girdle, but more elegantly wrought, and the
joints are fastened upon gold lace. In the front are the
initials of the wearer embossed, surmounted by a crown
set with precious stones. The other ornament is the
Herdafesti, shoulder-chain, made entirely of silver gilt,
of considerable weight, and of most exquisite workmanship.
This connects seven circular pieces of silver,
each as large as a five-shilling piece, and ornamented
with silver wire, twisted, and disposed in various
figures. The chain is a double one, going over each
shoulder, and is terminated behind by a large silver
medal, gilt, two inches and three quarters in diameter,
and representing in relief, on one side, the crucifixion
of our Saviour between the two thieves, with a number
of extremely well defined figures below. The superscription
is PECCATA. NOSTRA. IPSE. PERTYLIT.
IN. CORPORE. SVO. SYPER. LIGNVM. YT. PEC-
CATIS, MORTUI. IVSTICIE. VIVAM. The reverse
represents Abraham about to offer up his son Isaac, and
the angel of the Lord staying the hand already lifted to