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In connexion with historical writing it may not be out of place to
mention the Icelandic Folk-Tales, perhaps the most remarkable branch
of our literature. These are: stories of elves; stories of trolls; ghost
stories; stories of magic; legends; stories of outlaws; fairy-tales, etc.
etc. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries they have been
collected, and several volumes have already been published; but the
subject is by no means exhausted yet. They are a good mirror of the
nation’s imaginative power and art of story-telling, for they have been
told and written down by men of all classes, and show the influence
which the reading of the Icelandic sagas by generation after generation
has exercised on the popular style and form.
From the 17th century onwards many eminent Icelandic scholars,
both at home and abroad, have devoted themselves to the scientific
study of the Icelandic language and literature, to the compiling of
dictionaries, and to editing and elucidating Old-Icelandic texts. Some
of the most prominent among these are Magniis Olafsson, Gudmundur
Andrésson, Hilfddn Einarsson, Bjérn Halldérsson, Sveinbjérn Egils-
son, Finnur Magnisson, Konr4d Gislason, rector Jén Thorkelsson,
Gudbrandur Vigfisson, Bjérn M. Olsen, Finnur Jénsson, Sigfis
Bléndal, Halldér Hermannsson. SigurBur Nordal. Alexander Téhann-
esson,
Much has been written on Icelandic laws, ancient and modern, and
something also on medical science. A great deal of Theological litera-
ture, for the most part translations, dates from the Reformation period.
Icelandic translations of the New Testament and the Bible were prin-
ted in 1540 and 1584 respectively. Of the many books of sermons
which in course of time have appeared in Iceland, mention should
be made of bishop Jén Vidalin’s Hiispostilla (Book of Family Ser-
mons), first published 1718—20 (13th edition in 1838). Bishop
Vidalin is the greatest pulpit orator Iceland has ever produced. His
language is rich and racy and his sermons distinguished by religious
fervor, eloquence, and profound observations of life.
In the field of Natural science Eggert Olafsson did great research
work, the most imporfant results of which are contained in his Travel-
Book (Itinerary) in two large 4to volumes, published in Copenhagen
in 1772. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the geology of Ice-
land has been made the subject of scientific study by Jénas Hallgrims-
son, Th. Thoroddsen, H. Pjeturss, and Gudmundur Béirdarson. The
study of the botany of Iceland has been pursued by Stefin Stefénsson
and Helgi Jénsson. In zoology Bjarni Semundsson has made inde-
