TRAVELS TN ICELAND. 



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paroxysm, and the slibwer of stone and gravel, a natural but 

 very extraordinary hail succeeded; each hail-stone containing 

 a particle of gravel or ashes, with which the air Was filled 

 at the moment of congelation. The volcano thus continued its 

 ravages for the first day ; and at night it presented a spectacle 

 similar to artificial fire-works: the air was filled with flames and 

 sparks produced by the globes of fire which the crater continued 

 to dart forth like lightning; winch rose to a distance, then split 

 into thousands of particles, and spread a sublime effulgence in 

 every direction. These globes of fire were projected into the dis- 

 tant cantons. An ignited column of various colours next rose 

 from the crater; and a tremendous report, similar to the repeated 

 firing of artillery, was heard in the bowels of the mountain, in- 

 dependantly of the noise already mentioned, The people, among 

 whom were ourselves, were much inconvenienced by an insup- 

 portable sulphureous smell; and a fine ash-like dust, which we 

 inspired by the nostrils, and which soon affected our lungs. Both 

 heaven and earth now appeared in flames : the burning matter 

 fell upon the affrighted spectators, who were fully of opinion 

 that the world was at an end. 



On the following day, the 18th, the weather was calm but 

 rainy, and the volcano was obscured from the sight by a fog that 

 covered the whole canton. The same detonation, earthquake, 

 and subterraneous noises, were, however, repeated, accompanied 

 with frightful hissing. At night the horrid spectacle of the pre- 

 ceding evening was resumed, and globes of fire were incessantly 

 propelled. — On the 1 9th the weather was serene, and the air was 

 clear throughout the canton of Myrdal: the wind was north- 

 west. The column of smoke which rose from the apertures of 

 the volcano appeared black by day, and full of balloons and 

 sparks of fire, which at night illumined this whole canton as 

 before; but it is very remarkable, that the districts to the east- 

 ward were enveloped in total darkness, as well by night as day. 

 All the cantons in the eastern quarter were covered with black 

 sand and ashes : and the internal detonations, resembling the re- 

 ports of cannon, were heard as far as the districts of Goldbringue 

 and Kiosar, which are between twenty-five and thirty leagues 

 distant from the volcano; while on the same day the ashes fell 

 like rain in the isles of Feroe, so as to render them totally black*. 

 The next day the wind blew from the same. point, and the vol- 

 cano continued its ravages. At this period, among the globes of 

 fire that were propelled, we observed two of very great bulk, 



* These isles are situated in the North Sea, about the longitude "of seven 

 west from London. They are one hundred leagues (of twenty to a degree} 

 E. S. E. from Katlegiaa. " Edit, 



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