’ 
2792. on literature in Denmark. 39 
Being thus sure of a kind reception, what riches 
could they not obtain, by prudent management, from the 
unbounded fitheries round the island; from the salmon 
fifheries, which, though inexhaustible, have not as yet tur- 
ned to any advantage, and the lucrative breed of fheep and 
cattle which are not attended to, notwithstanding Iceland 
abounds with the finest pastures*. There were times 
when this w/tima Thu/e exported in her own bottoms her 
own manufactures and cloth, stockings and carpets, to Nor- 
way, Ireland, and the northern parts of Scotland, Den- 
mark, Sweden and Rufsia; and the laws pafsed in the e- 
eventh century prove that agriculture was well attended to. 
Things have indeed taken a sad revulsion since that pe- 
riod; however, by the joint labours of wise and benevolent 
men, the causes of guch grievances will I trust be removed, 
and this long neglected spot be made to resume once 
more a splendour greater even than it formerly pofsefsed.” 
Such are the warm terms on which this beneficent cor- 
respondent talks of the.improvements in Iceland. To 
those who have only casually visited that island in its pre- 
sent state, and are not acquainted with the particulars of 
its past history, these particulars will no doubt appear to 
be greatly exaggerated; yet the present state of Spain, 
of Palestine, of Egypt, of Greece, and of Turkey, are so_ 
much inferior to what they once were, as to afford the 
clearest proof that political mismanagement can produce ef- 
fects equally pernicious as those that have occurred in 
Iceland. . 
The first is represented by Mr Profefsor Thorkelin, anative of Iceland, 
as beisg a most refrefhing sort of food for the fishers and others, after 
the most violent exercise and fatigue. The other as a wholesome, plea- 
sent beveridge, 
They sometimes put salmon and cod-fifh bones into, the sira, which adds 
to its quality. fp 
* The natives of Scotland, to their sad experience, know that similar 
metural advantages at home, do not ensure prosperity. Edit, * 
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