14# 



#LAFSEN AND 1*0 V ELS EN ^S 



diminished from nine till ten o'clock, and then entirely disap- 

 peared. 



The southern quarter enjoyed a beautiful spectacle of this kind 

 in 1757. On the 7th February, that and the preceding day 

 having been fine, moderately cold, with wind from the E.S.E. 

 the aurora borealis appeared suddenly at six in the evening in the 

 northern region, scintillating with extraordinary and rapid move- 

 ments without any certain form. The light augmented and spread, 

 till about half past seven: the atmosphere from S.E. to S.W. 

 appeared like one blaze of rare as- far as the zenith, being every- 

 where covered with a red or purple flame ; white the rest of the 

 heaven was ornamented by the streaks which issued from this 

 mass, and was uncommonly brilliant, This meteor, unlike any 

 thing we had ever seen before, lasted about five minutes. 



From the above observations it will be seen how variable 

 the aurora borealis is in Iceland, it is extremely seldom that 

 tills phenomenon is observed motionless; or that the horizon? 

 is reddened, without sensible vacillation^ as is the ease in southern 

 Europe. The aurora borealis often exhibits yellow, green, and 

 purple streams, all equally brilliant; sometimes undulating, and 

 at others like the fir? of rockets. 



We were well aware of the deraBgement of the needle by 

 fhe effect of this meteor while it lasted; but we had a compass,, 

 which was no tadapted for such observations, so that we could 

 not ascertain to what degree this variation extended. 



MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS*- 



DISEASES. 



Th& venereal disease first appeared in Iceland in 1753, in the 

 district of Goldbringue. The inhabitants, and particularly the 

 young people, unacquainted with its nature, neglected it; never- 

 theless it did not commit much havock, nor extend so much as it 

 might be expected. The government afterwards sent a physi- 

 cian to cure the poor gratis : he is annually supplied with medi- 

 cines, and paid for teaching young men who wish to study physk 

 and surgery. 



MANNER OF LIVING AMONG PEOPLE IN EASY CIRCUM- 

 STANCED 



l?ithin the last fifty years, and particularly in this quarter, m 

 vast change has been introduced in the manner of living among 

 the inhabitants. Their food is differently prepared and numerous 

 dishes, as well as foreign liquors, are now in fashion ; a variety of 

 dedicate eatables, expensive drinks, and groceries of all kinds, 

 being in constant demands Among these factitious necessaries 

 there are many, of which even the names were unknown about 



