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HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



Where a cluster of such huts are gathered there is generally 

 a church. The cnurch at Thingvalla affords a favorable 

 specimen of these structures. 



This building is one story high, and about ten by fifteen feet 

 in size. These churches, which are quite frequently met with, 



CHURCH AT THINGVALLA. 



wherever a cluster of huts are to be found, are used also for 

 the accommodation of strangers and travellers. They are by no 

 means either cleanly or sweet-smelling, but are infinitely to be 

 preferred as a resting-place to the accommodation such as the 

 huts furnish. The clergymen are a devoted set of men, but are 

 necessarily, while their parishioners are themselves so poor, 

 poorly paid for their devotion, and obliged to work hard them- 

 selves to eke out a living. They tend cattle, work at hay- 

 making, which is quite a business in Iceland, and are almost 

 without exception blacksmiths, and the best at this trade in 

 the country. This accomplishment is an important one, since 

 the rocks and lava splinters would speedily ruin the horses r 



