18 
REIKEVIG. 
generality of them were, assuredly, not cast in 
nature's happiest mould, and some of the old 
women were the very ugliest mortals I had ever 
seen; but among the younger ones, there were 
a few who would be reckoned pretty, even in 
England; and, in point of fairness of complexion, 
an Iceland girl, who has not been too much ex¬ 
posed to the inclemencies of the weather, will 
stand the comparison with ladies of any country. 
They are generally of a shorter stature than our 
women, but have a good deportment, and, to 
judge from their appearance, enjoy an excellent 
state of health. After having attentively sur¬ 
veyed this interesting assemblage, we repaired to 
Mr. Savigniac’s house; but, as this was built 
in Norway, and not different from what a 
wooden house would be in our own country, it 
had no charms for me. I therefore hastened to 
take a ramble by the sea shore. A little rude 
bridge, formed of planks, across a streamlet, led 
me out of the town; and, passing two or three 
peasant’s houses,* I pursued my way among the 
rocks, in search of plants. 1 cannot compare 
* Close by these houses, and by all in the immediate vici¬ 
nity of the sea, are contrivances for drying the fishing 
dresses, which are made of untanned skin, with the hair 
inwards, or rudely scraped off, and comprise the jacket and 
trowsers all in one piece. The machines are of a simple 
structure 5 consisting of an upright stick, three or four feet 
