VII.] NO EFFECT. 83 



courteous than we had begun to hope, for after labouring 

 uneasily in his basin for a few minutes, he roused himself 

 on his hind-legs — fell — made one more effort, — and then 

 giving it up as a bad job, sank back into his accustomed 

 inaction, and left the disappointed assembly to disperse to 

 their respective dormitories. 



The next morning, the whole encampment was stirring at 

 an early hour with preparations for departure ; for unsatis- 

 factory as it had been, the French considered themselves 

 absolved by the partial performance they had witnessed 

 from any longer " making antechamber," as they said, to so 

 capricious a functionary. Being very anxious to have one 

 more trial at photographing Strokr, I ventured to suggest 

 that the necessary bolus of sods should be administered to 

 him. In a few minutes two or three cart-loads of turf were 

 seething and wallowing within him. In the meantime, Fitz 

 seized the opportunity of the Prince being at breakfast to 

 do a picture of him seated on a chair, with his staff stand- 

 ing around him, and looking the image of Napoleon before 

 the battle of Austerlitz. A good twenty minutes had now 

 elapsed since the emetic had been given, — no symptoms of 

 any result had as yet appeared, — and the French began to 

 get impatient ; inuendoes were hazarded to the disadvantage 

 of Strokr's reputation for consistency, — inuendoes which I 

 confess touched me nearly, and made me feel like a show- 

 man whose dog has misbehaved. At last the whole party 

 rode off; but the rear horseman had not disappeared round 

 the neighbouring hill before — splash ! bang ! — fifty feet up 

 into the air drove the dilatory fountain, with a fury which 

 amply avenged the affront put upon ft, and more than vin- 

 dicated my good opinion. All our endeavours, however, to 

 photograph the eruption proved abortive. We had already 

 attempted both Strokr and the Great Geysir, but in the case 

 of the latter the exhibition was always concluded before the 

 plate could be got ready ; and although, as far as Strokr is 

 concerned, you can tell within a certain period when the 

 performance will take place, yet the interval occurring be- 



