LITERATI. 
97 
activity, moral, political, and intellectual,—these once 
stirring islanders. On the amalgamation of the three 
Scandinavian monarchies, at the union of Calmar, 
the allegiance of the people of Iceland Was passively 
transferred to the Danish crown. Ever since that 
time, Danish proconsuls have administered their govern¬ 
ment, and Danish restrictions have regulated their 
trade. The traditions of their ancient autonomy have 
become as unsubstantial and obsolete as those which 
record the vanished fame of their poets and historians, 
and the exploits of their mariners. It is true, the 
adoption of the Lutheran religion galvanized for a 
moment into the semblance of activity the old literary 
spirit. A printing-press was introduced as early as 
1530, and ever since the sixteenth century many works 
of merit have been produced from time to time by 
Icelandic genius. Shakspeare, Milton, and Pope have 
been translated into the native tongue; one of the 
best printed newspapers I have ever seen is now pub¬ 
lished at Reykjavik; and the Colleges of Copenhagen 
are adorned by many an illustrious Icelandic scholar: 
but the glory of the old days is departed, and it is across 
a wide desolate flat of ignoble annals, as dull and arid as 
H 
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