126 a p p e n d i x , c . ^
ir^ *
vigour. The greatest benefit was anticipated
from the cattle, which had become
sleek and strong after so mild a winter and
spring, and every one rejoiced at the prospect
of a fruitful summer and an abundant
harvest. But all these happy illusions fled
with the month of May.
§ III.
ment^Tthe6" Towards the latter end of May
Eruption. a bluish and light smoke, or fog,
was seen floating along the surface of the
earth, and attracted the notice of several well-
informed people: yet no one had the smallest
idea of the approaching evil till strong
earthquakes were perceived and felt over the
whole of Skaptefield’s Syssel on the 1st of
June. These became daily more terrible
especially during the mornings and evenings,
and at last on the 8th of June, the first day
of Whitsuntide, they announced the most
violent commotions in the bowels of the
earth.
At eight in the morning the weather was
still fine and clear, but towards nine a dark
and black bank of smoke arose in the north,
and at length extended itself over the district
called Sida. This bank could not at first
be seen from the farm-houses that were
pleasantly situated at the foot of a lofty
and closely-connected range of mountains,
stretching for the most part from east to
west, nor could the inhabitants distinguish
it till it was quite near, and immediately
over Sida, but several persons who were
proceeding from the district Landbrot, situated
a little to the south of the place just
mentioned, to Kirkebai-cloister church, observed
a great number of pillars of smoke
arise from among the wild mountains in
the north, and in a little time gather themselves
together and form the large black
bank. On the nearer approach of this,
Sida became involved in darkness, and, when
the bank was perpendicularly over it, an immense
quantity of sand and ashes, much
resembling those of burned coals, fell upon
the ground, covering it to the thickness of
an inch. Intermixed with these substances
was one of a grey, shining, and hard nature,
which will hereafter be more fully described.
A southern wind prevented the farther progress
of the bank on this and the following