TRAVELS IN ICELAND. 



ftkshed m this country,, which is attested by experience ; but it yet 

 remains to be determined to what degree this diminution has 

 taken place ; and there are many of the old inhabitants, who re- 

 member certain spots which now contain farms and meadows, to 

 have been covered with water. 



SUBTERRANEOUS FIRE OF BORGARHR AUN. 



The combustion at Borgarhraun did not take place till the tenth 

 century, when the subterraneous fires burst forth. The Land- 

 nama-Saga attributes it to the wickedness of a magician. It first 

 appeared at night by a terrible volcanic eruption, which reduced to 

 ashes several houses, with all their inhabitants. By this event the 

 country was totally laid waste, and covered with black rocks and 

 scoria to the extent of three miles from N. E. to S. W. ; and to 

 the width of a mile and a half. A great part of the fiery matter 

 took its course towards the sea, and formed a number of creeks. 

 At the place where the houses were burnt, there is now a spot 

 called the Eldborg, or castle of fire, which consists of a very 

 high, white rampart, entirely surrounded by black rocks of lava, 

 and internally hollowed. At the distance of four or five miles, 

 the Eldborg may be taken for a considerable castle ; and it seems 

 that on this spot the greatest eruption took place. The Eldborg 

 is a small mountain, or rather round, steep, and perpendicular 

 rock, presenting an undulated and stratified fagade, in one regular 

 mass, without crevices or fractures : it is hollow, and rests at top 

 of the volcanic aperture, presenting a slight wall from a foot to 

 an ell in thickness. We measured the diameter of the aperture by- 

 means of a cord, and found its greatest width to be 636 Danish 

 feet, because it does not form an exact circle. This rock is steeper 

 within than without ; and is much frequented by ravens, who 

 make their nests in it : the interior height, from the base to the 

 top, is 169 feet. This wonderful place sesves as a guide to tra- 

 vellers in passing the Langfiaerer ; for in dull weather it is easy 

 for them to mistake their course. 



INTERESTING REMARKS ON THE INHABITANTS. 



It was between Helgafell and Tor Snaes, that one of the first 

 inhabitants of this country came to take up his residence ; his 

 name was Thorolf Monstraiskaeg. A temple of idols was con- 

 structed at the foot of the mountains, towards the west, near a 

 gulph, and its remains are still to be seen, as are the vestiges of 

 the pastures and farms which he established. Thorolf and his 

 descendants believed, that after their death, they should return 

 and inhabit Helgafell ; and from this idea, they directed that all 

 their cattle should be left at full liberty : the people were forbid- 

 den to drive them out bv force ; but were enjoined to let them 



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