252 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



reached Reikiavik on June 21. The people were over- 

 joyed, but the Danish authorities met our adventurer 

 with a stern refusal of any trading privileges. Whereupon 

 Jorgensen seized the powers of Government, issued a 

 proclamation to the natives and led a small Revolution. 

 All this with the cheerful acquiescence of the natives, 

 who supported his pretensions ; and without a drop of 

 blood being shed. Count Trampe, the Danish Governor, 

 was arrested and taken on board the ship. 



" All the measures I adopted in my new character of 

 Monarch of Iceland" (Jorgensen says) "partook of the 

 character of popular reform. I established trial by jury, 

 and free representative government. I relieved the people 

 of one-half of the taxes, making good the deficiency of 

 revenue by levying a small duty on the import and export 

 of British goods, to which I had thrown open the port. 

 I augmented the salaries of the clergy, from the bishop 

 down to the humblest curate. ... I advanced money for 

 the benefit of the public schools and the fisheries. ... I 

 released the people from all debts due to the Crown of 

 Denmark. ... I erected a fort for six guns, and hoisted 

 the ancient and independent flag of Iceland." 



A few weeks sufficed to end his affairs. H.M.S. T allot 

 arrived, and put an end to what was a benevolent and 

 well-meant, but utterly illegal scheme. Count Trampe 

 was released. Jorgensen was made a prisoner. And the 

 whole merry party (for they appear to have been friendly 

 all round) prepared for departure toward London. The 

 Margaret and Anne left Reikiavik on August 25, with 

 Mr. Hooker and his botanical collections on board. Two 

 days afterward this vessel was found to be on fire ; and 

 as she was laden with oil and tallow, there was little 

 chance for anybody to escape with life. But the Orion, 

 prize, with the unfortunate ex-captain on board, caught 

 up the blazing vessel just in the nick of time. Jorgensen 

 once more took the lead. By his activity and intrepidity 



