Volume 1

Iceland; or, the journal of a residence in that island, during the years 1814 and 1815 / Containing observations on the natural phenomena, history, literature, and antiquities of the island; and the religion, character, manners, and customs of its inhabitants. With an introduction and appendix. By Ebenezer Henderson. Illustrated with a map and engravings.

  • Henderson, E. (Ebenezer), 1784-1858.
Date:
1818
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Iceland; or, the journal of a residence in that island, during the years 1814 and 1815 / Containing observations on the natural phenomena, history, literature, and antiquities of the island; and the religion, character, manners, and customs of its inhabitants. With an introduction and appendix. By Ebenezer Henderson. Illustrated with a map and engravings. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the north and east, where the fishing is general¬ ly impracticable at this time, owing to the bays and creeks being filled with polar ice. They provide themselves with a complete skin-dress, consisting of the brok in the shape of small clothes and stockings, all in one piece ; the stack or large jacket, which falls down, and is tied close over the brok, so as to prevent the water from getting in between them ; and tight-sitting shoes of the same material, below which are worn coarse woollen stockings for greater warmth. The most of them live almost entirely, during this period, on blitter and fish. They breakfast about two hours before sun-rise, and taste no¬ thing till they return from sea in the evening, excepting sometimes a little whey which they take with them for the purpose of quenching their thirst. The boats are generally manned with six or eight hands besides the steersman, and row sometimes to a great distance out to sea. When they return from fishing, and land on the beach, the boat is hauled up, and the fish are thrown out and heaped together in separate par¬ cels, according to the number of men in the boat, with two additional shares which belong to the boat, and are claimed by the owner for the use of it, and the fishing lines and hooks, which are provided at his expense. The fishermen being fatigued, repair immediately to their huts, and the splitting and carrying home of the fish is commonly left to the women and children.