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YON TROIL’S LETTERS ON ICELAND. 637
at the univerfity of Copenhagen; and I became acquainted with three men of great
learning among them, who were particularly well verfed in the northern antiquities.
One of them is the bifhop of Skallholt, Finnur Jonfon, who is compiling an ecclefiafti-
cal hiftory of Iceland ; the two others are the provoft Gunnar Paulfon, and Halfdan
Ginarfon, rector at Hoolum.
That there is a printing-office in Iceland cannot be unknown, as we are acquainted
with the rare editions of Olof Tryggwaflons, Landnama, Greenland, and Chriftendoms
Sagas, or Traditions, printed at Skallholt ; but I did not expeét to find the art of print-
ing fo antient here, as it was reprefented to be. A Swede, whofe name was John
Mathiefon, brought hither the firft printing-prefs, between the years 1520 and 1530;
and publifhed in the year 1531 the Breviarium Nidarofienfe. I have collected as many
Icelandic books as I have been able to difcover ; among the rareft is the Icelandic
bible, printed in folio at Hoolum in the year 1584. I hope likewife, that fifteen (till
now unknown) traditional hiftories or fagas will be no unwelcome acquifition.
You may judge, Sir, how agreeably I {pent my time here in thefe occupations,
which I applied to with fo much the more pleafure, as they all related to objects en-
tirely new: added to which, I was in fociety with Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander; the
latter of whom is a moft worthy difciple of our Linnzus, and unites a lively temper
to the moft excellent heart ; and the former isa young gentleman of an unbounded
thirft after knowledge, refolute and indefatigable in all his purfuits, frank, fond of focial
conyerfation, and at the fame time a friend of the fine arts and literature: in fuch
company you will confefs it was impoflible I fhould have the leaft reafon for regretting
the time {pent in this voyage.
I had almoft flattered myfelf with the hopes of feeing Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander
in Sweden; but I learn that they will be detained in England for fome time. I much
fear Dr. Solander will be for ever loft to his native country, as well on account of the
univerfal efteem in which he is held in England, as of his being preferred to a more
beneficial place at the Britifh Mufeum than that which he formerly poffeffed.
Their voyage to the South Seas will probably make its appearance in April or May
next. They have already begun to engrave the collections of animals and plants they
have made on their voyage, which will employ them feveral years, as they muft con-
fift, I fhould apprehend, of near two thoufand plates.
It would be writing a natural hiftory were I to attempt to give a proper defcription
of thefe admirable colleCtions. They have alone above three thoufand fifhes and other
animals preferved in {pirits, moft of which are new: Linnzus might find among their
plants, of which they have feveral fets, (one of which, I flatter myfelf, will find its
way into Sweden,) fubjects for a new mantifla.
I propofe, when I have feen Holland, to make a little excurfion to Germany to fee
Mr. Michaelis, and foon afterwards return to my native country, where I fhall have
the honour of afluring you perfonally of the affectionate regard, &c. &c.
Letrer II].—To CHEVALIER IHRE.
On the phyfical Conftitution of the Country.
SIR, Stockholm, June 20, 1773.
THERE is no duty more agreeable to me, than that of obeying your commands,
in tranfmitting to you fome account of Iceland, its antiquities, and what elfe relates
toit. AsI have happily had an occafion of feeing the country myfelf, it may with
jultice,
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