VIDOE. 
63 
the finest of the flock, was brought into the 
room for us to see, and was then sent on board 
our boat as a present. It had horns, was entirely 
white, and covered with an extremely coarse and 
bound the Hals SiJcener, or neck-handkerchief of purple 
silk. Around this. the Hals Festi , neck-chain, three feet 
and a half long, of silver gilt, and of very curious workman¬ 
ship, is wound three times, by which means it covers about 
two inches in depth of the blue silk, and has a very good 
effect upon it; on one end of it is fastened a large bracelet 
(Nisti) curiously ornamented, and hung round with the 
initials of the owner : this, also, is of silver gilt. The stock¬ 
ings fSockaJ of an Icelandic lady are generally of dark blue 
worsted j the shoes (Shor) are made of the skin of seals or 
sheep: an oblong piece is slit down two or three inches be¬ 
fore and behind, and sewed up somewhat in the form of the 
foot, which it soon takes the shape of by stretching, and is 
drawn tight by a leather thong running along the edge, and 
tied over the foot. These are so easily made, that I paid 
only six shillings for a dozen pair. This dress is applicable 
only to unmarried ladies of rank. To the wedding-dress two 
rich ornaments are added: one is the Koffur, or fillet, 
worn round the head-dress ■, it is made in the same manner, 
and of the same materials, as the girdle, but more elegantly 
wrought, and the joints are fastened upon gold lace. In 
the front are the initials of the wearer embossed, surmounted 
by a crown set with precious stones. The other ornament 
is the Herdafesti , shoulder-chain, made entirely of silver gilt, 
of considerable weight, and of most exquisite workmanship. 
This connects seven circular pieces of silver, each as large 
as a five-shilling piece, and ornamented with silver wire, 
twisted, and disposed in various figures. The chain is a 
double one, going over each shoulder, and is terminated 
3 
