Replies.
DE REBUS SEPTENTRION ALIBUS.
At page 371. of Vol. iii. I addressed a Query as to the best mode of reaching Iceland. I have since ascertained that the principal communication with Iceland is from Copenhagen; whence during the season sail a monthly packet, sundry trading-vessels, and sometimes a Danish frigate. Danish vessels also call at Hull and Liverpool to load with salt for Iceland. The Norwegian trade thither has ceased since 1814, and it has now scarcely any intercourse except with Denmark. A few dirty smacks of fifty or sixty tons, from the Thames and another place or two, resort there to fish, they do not go into port. There is no further mode of reaching that interesting and remarkable island, except per yacht, or by one of the steam-excursions which are occasionally advertised in The Times. The Danish steamers mentioned in Murray's Guide-book have discontinued running.
Murray gives but little respecting, Iceland, but that little is good. The best book on it that I have met with is, An Historical and Descriptive Account of Iceland, Greenland, and the Faröe Islands, with Illustrations of their Natural History, by James Nicol: Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, 1844. It embodies the substance of all the best information in small space. The last published English visit to Iceland seems to be that of Barrow in 1835 but a much more recent account has been published in German by that enterprising lady Ida Pfeiffer, of a voyage she made there. An interesting statement of the diseases and sanatory condition of Iceland is found in the British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgical Review for 1850, vol v., being a notice of a work entitled, Island undersögt fra lægevidenskabeligt Synspunct, by Dr. Schleisner, Fellow of the Royal Medical Society of Copenhagen, who went to Iceland purposely to examine into its medical condition.
Of works on Norway, Murray's Hand-book is the best, and contains a list of books on Scandinavia published up to 1848. Besides these, there are the following:—
1. Scandinavian Sketches; or, a Tour in Norway. By Lieutenant Breton, R.N.
2. Wittich's Visit to the Western Coast of Norway: London, 1848. Contains accurate physical descriptions of the country.
3. Forester's Norway in 1848 and 1849: London, 1850. Conveys to the mind an excellent and very complete picture of Norwegian scenery, travelling, manners and customs, &c., and gives much valuable information. The plates are very truthful and characteristic.
4. Ross's Yacht Voyage to Norway is not worth much; and
5. Jones's Angler's Guide to Norway is worth less.