SKALHOLT. 
165 
success, that;, at a general convocation held at the 
Althing in the year 1000, it was agreed, that 
idolatry should be abolished, and the religion of 
our Saviour adopted in its stead. The many kind 
attentions, and the truly hospitable entertain¬ 
ment which I had received from Madame Joneson, 
made me feel anxious to offer her some little ac¬ 
knowledgment, andT was vexed, on examination 
of my stock, to find it so much reduced as to 
render it not a little difficult what to fix upon 
that might be acceptable. My tea and coffee 
were already expended, nor could I think of any 
thing to offer her but a shirt, a few cravats, and 
a pocket handkerchief. I felt how unworthy such 
trifles were of her acceptance, in return for so 
much hospitality, and I was therefore the more 
pleased to find them received with evident marks 
of gratification. Her happiness was manifested by 
a friendly salute, and by the eagerness with which 
she unfolded and surveyed the different articles. 
She was greatly puzzled, however, to ascertain 
“ (who, perhaps, had conceived a good opinion of the new 
“ faith) succeeded in calming them, by putting to them the 
“ following question, no less laconic than ingenious: f um 
“ hvat reiddnust gudin tha er her brann raunit er na floen- 
** dum ver a?’ What, then, teas the cause of the anger of the 
<e gods, when they burned the rock on which we are now stand - 
“ ing ? for all who were present knew that this had happened 
" before the country was inhabited.” 
