VIDOE. 
51 
with gold trimmings: and he had half-boots 
with gold bindings and tassels, and a three- 
cornered hat with gold tassels, trimmings of the 
same, and a long white feather. We were im¬ 
mediately ushered through the portico, where we 
were obliged to stoop at the door-way, into a 
spacious hall, with a large wooden staircase; and 
hence through a large and lofty parlor into his 
bedroom, where I presented to him a letter of 
introduction, and a present of prints and books 
from Sir Joseph Banks, whose very name made 
him almost shed tears. During the time that 
Mr. Jorgensen was translating the letter to 
him, he frequently interrupted his reading, to 
relate some of the many noble and generous acts 
which Baron Banks (as he called him) had done 
for his countrymen. He asked a hundred ques¬ 
tions about him in the most affectionate manner, 
particularly respecting his age and health. Then 
he related anecdotes of what passed during Sir 
Joseph’s stay in the island thirty-seven years 
ago, in a manner which at once convinced us 
of the excellence of his memory, and of his 
gratitude to, and high esteem for, the great be¬ 
nefactor of Iceland. He told us of his liberal 
presents, of the splendor with which he tra¬ 
velled, and of the Icelanders, who, during the 
war with Denmark, were made prisoners by the 
English, but released, and supplied with money 
