[248] In the plur. Aurar is supposed to be corrupted from Aurum, as the coins first known to Scandinavia were Roman and Byzantine, Saxon and English. It was applied to coinage opposed to baugr, gold or silver rings. Hence the phrase “Aurar ok óðal,” money and land. Ær or Ör was probably the name of a small coin; so the modern Swedish Öre is a coin worth less than a farthing, and the Norsk Ort (contracted from Örttog, Örtug, Ærtog, or Ertog) is the fifth part of a specie dollar (Cleasby). Upon the ancient money of Iceland the reader will consult Dr Dasent’s Burnt Njal, ii. 397.

[249] In 1872 it was not a legal tender.

[250] The German Loth and the corrupted Italian Lotto.

[251] Uno Von Troil (1770) makes the Lispund = 20 lbs. English, and adds the Vaett = 5 Lispunds, and the Kapal 12 to 15 Lispunds. Both Lispund and Bismer are now falling out of use in Iceland, where only the Danish pound is preserved. She should follow the example of Austria, and introduce the metrical system.

[252] The Danish mile is the long league; 15 being = 1° of latitude.

[253] Formerly there were only four—viz., Nos. 1, 3, 5, and 6—established by law of April 15, 1854, regulating the trade and navigation with Iceland.

[254] The following Danised names of the thirty-one privileged factories and trading places are given by Mr Vice-Consul Crowe (Report, 1865-66):

South Quadrant.
1.Reykjavik (capital).
2.Havnefjord.
3.Keflavik.
4.Örebakke.
5.Vestmanns Islands.
6.Papö.
7.Landhussund.
North Quadrant.
8.Oefjord (called “a town”).
9.Skagerstrand.
10.Hofsós.
11.Seydafjord.
12.Husavik.
13.Ramforhavn.
14.Thorshavn.
15.Sandarok.
East Quadrant.
16.Vapnafjord.
17.Seydisfjord.
18.Eskifjord.
19.Berufjord.
West Quadrant.
20.Isafjord (called “a town”).
21.Stykkisholm.
22.Olafsvik.
23.Bûdenstad.
24.Bildal.
25.Dyrefjord.
26.Patriksfjord.
27.Flatey (island).
28.Reykjafjord.
29.Bordöre.
30.Straûmfjord.
31.Skeljavik.

[255] This gentleman is most obliging in giving all information about the steamer. No passport is required for Iceland.

[256] Upon these remarks Mr Jón A. Hjaltalín observes, “The case referred to is as follows: The Scotchman’s claim may have been good in point of Scotch law, but it was not in point of Icelandic law. That is the reason why the Procurators would not undertake it. He has therefore to blame the law, not the men. I know, as a fact, that both the Procurators of Reykjavik have conducted cases for foreigners, e.g., Messrs Henderson & Anderson against Icelanders. It would have been more questionable practice, although perhaps more lawyer-like, if they had induced the plaintiff to go on with the case, although they were sure that he would lose it. Foreigners often think they are wronged if a case, which is clear according to their own laws, breaks down according to foreign laws: Icelanders have gone through that experience in Scotland.”