SKALHOLT. 
161 
prospect there was of its clearing up induced me, 
before the evening, to determine upon departing 
for Reikevig on the morrow; especially as the 
fortnight, the time allowed me previous to the 
sailing of the Margaret and Anne, was within 
three or four days of its expiration. However, 
I left it with somewhat the less regret, from 
hoping it would be in my power to revisit the 
country at a future time, under more fortunate 
auspices. I have before mentioned that the 
bishop’s see had been removed from Skalholt to 
Reikevig: at the same time the cathedral was 
pulled down, and a new and very neat wooden 
church erected in its stead. Our fair hostess 
accompanied us to this building, which, however, 
“ they come out of the ground j and they have assigned them 
“ as purgatories for several sorts of tradesmen and handi- 
“ craftsmen, whose professions seem to bear some relation to 
“ any of the qualities above mentioned. Thus, for instance, 
te they lodge the deceitful beer and sackibrewers at the bot- 
<( tom of a deep muddy spring; the cooks and pastrycooks 
“ in another, which is remarkable for its white froth; 
“ wranglers and quarrelsome persons in another, which 
“ rushes out of the ground with a frightful murmuring 
“ noise; and so on. After this manner, imposing upon the 
“ blind and superstitious vulgar, they squeeze money out of 
" them, making them believe that by their prayers and inler- 
cession they may be delivered from their places of torment 
“ after death .”—History of Japan, vol. i. p. 106*. 
M 
