VI.] AN ICELANDIC DINNER. 35 



But to return to more material matters. 



Yesterday — no — the day before — in fact I forget the date 

 of the day — I don't believe it had one - all I know is, I 

 have not been in bed since, — we dined at the Governor's ; — 

 though dinner is too modest a term to apply to the enter- 

 tainment. 



The invitation was for four o'clock, and at half-past three 

 we pulled ashore in the gig ; I, innocent that I was, in a 

 well-fitting white waistcoat. 



The Government House, like all the others, is built of 

 wood, on the top of a hillock ; the only accession of dignity 

 it can boast being a little bit of mangy kitchen-garden that 

 hangs down in front to the road, like a soiled apron. There 

 was no lock, handle, bell, or knocker to the door, but im- 

 mediately on our approach, a servant presented himself, and 

 ushered us into the room where Count Trampe was waiting 

 to welcome us. After having been presented to his wife, we 

 proceeded to shake hands with the other guests, most of 

 whom I already knew ; and I was glad to find that, at all 

 events in Iceland, people do not consider it necessary to 

 pass the ten minutes which precede the announcement of 

 dinner, as if they had assembled to assist at the opening or 

 their entertainer's will, instead of his oysters. The company 

 consisted of the chief dignitaries of the island, including the 

 Bishop, the Chief Justice, etc. etc., some of them in uniform, 

 and all with holiday faces. As soon as the door was opened, 

 Count Trampe tucked me under his arm— two other gentle- 

 men did the same to my two companions — and we streamed 

 into the dining-room. The table was very prettily arranged 

 with flowers, plate, and a forest of glasses. Fitzgerald and 

 I were placed on either side of our host, the other guests, 

 in due order, beyond. On my left sat the Rector, and 

 opposite, next to Pitz, the chief physician of the island. 

 Then began a series of transactions of which I have no dis- 

 tinct recollection ; in fact, the events of the next five hours 



by these Scandinavian voyagers ; but there can be now no longer any 

 doubt of this inscription, such as it is, being of Indian execution. 



