12 Baron Cuvier''s Historical Eloge of 



time these imposing spectacles, afford them a recompence for 

 their privations, and excite them to meditation. Iceland is per- 

 haps the only colony in the world that has formed a more origi- 

 nal literature than the mother country, or even modern Europe. 

 It is asserted; that one of her navigators discovered America 

 nearly five centuries before Columbus ; and it is only by consult- 

 ing her ancient annals, that documents of any authenticity have 

 been found for the history of Scandinavia. Still at the present 

 day, the meanest peasant is instructed in the history of his 

 country ; and it is in repeating from memory the songs of their 

 ancient poets, that they pass their long winter evenings. 



Our learned caravan employed a month in traversing the 

 island ; and Mr Von Troil published a very interesting account 

 of what they observed. As to Mr Banks, always little solicitous 

 about himself, he gave to Mr Pennant, for his Journey to Scot- 

 land, the drawings* which he had caused to be made of the 

 island of Staffa and its cave, as well as the description which 

 he had taken of them. In Iceland, as in the South Sea, 

 and as at Newfoundland, it was sufficient for him that his 

 observations were not lost to the public ; and this consideration 

 appears to have satisfied all his wishes. Here, also, he did better 

 than describe ; he became to the Icelanders a not less zealous 

 and a more effective benefactor than to the Otaheiteans. Not 

 only did he draw the attention of the court of Denmark to 

 them, but watching over their welfare himself, he twice, at his 

 own expence, when they were afflicted with famine, sent cargoes 

 of grain to their island. Like the personages which were deified 

 by the ancient mythology, it might be said of him, that he be- 

 came a providence to the places which he had once visited. 



On his return from two enterprises, in which he had given 

 such splendid proofs of his disinterested love of science, Mr 

 Banks would naturally find his place in the first ranks of those 

 who cultivate it. Having long been a member of the Royal 

 Society, he now took an active part in its administration and 

 labours. His house, open with equal hospitality to men of 

 science of his own and of other nations, became a sort of aca- 

 demy. The welcome of the master, — the pleasure of seeing 



• These drawings are now preserved in the College Museum of Edinburgh. 

 —Edit. 



