The reformation of religion, and the introduction of printing, by the establishment of a press at Hoolum about the year 1530, seemed to be the dawn of renewed life to Iceland.
The reformation was not effected without violence. John Areson, bishop of Hoolum, was the most strenuous and violent opposer of the introduction of the Lutheran doctrines. He assembled a body of armed men, and, march ing southward, attacked and seized Einarson, bishop of Skal holt. lie was arrested himself, however, the following year, by the order of Christian I 1 I. in whose continental dominions the reformed religion had been adopted. Areson, and his two natural sons, were beheaded at Skalholt; and in 1551 the new doctrines were legally established and universally received. The schools were re-established ; but so great had been the depression of learning, that it was found diffi cult at first to procure men of sufficient knowledge to su perintend them.
Now that science began to illuminate the rest of Eu rope, we cannot expect to find the former condition of Ice land restored, nor even the progress of knowledge keep ing pace with that of other countries. The physical evils to which Iceland is exposed operated with greater effect than before ; and though we can enumerate several emi nent individuals, whose writings arc creditable and useful, yet their literary fame has seldom stepped beyond their native island.
To the zeal of Thorlakson, bishop of Hoolum, who ushered many useful works into the world from the Ice landic press superintended by himself, the people were in debted lot the first translation of the Bible into their own language. It first appeared in 1584. The friend of Thor lakson, Arngrim Jonas, published twenty-six different works in divinity, history, jurisprudence, and philology, all of which exhibited very extensive acquirements. Ano ther eminent historical writer was Biorn de Skardsaa, who published Annals of Iceland from the year 1400 to 1645, and several other works.
The 17th century is destitute of any important events. At its commencement piratical incursions of the French, English, and Algerines. were not unfrequent. Of the lat ter, a large body landed on various parts of the southern coast, and on the Westman islands; and, besides plunder ing their effects, murdered nearly fifty of the inhabitants, and carried 400 of both sexes into captivity. This hap
pened in the year 1627 ; and nine years afterwards, when the king of Denmark had paid a ransom, only thirty-seven survivors were found. This century also disgraces Iceland by the superstitious enormities which were practised. A belief in necromancy was so prevalent, and held in such horror, that, within the period of sixty years, twenty per sons perished in the flames.
The commencement of the 18th century was marked by the destruction of 16,000 persons by the small-pox. From 1753 to 1759, the seasons were so inclement, that famine carried oil 10,000 people, besides vast numbers of cattle. In 1783, the most terrible volcanic eruption on re cord broke out from the neighbourhood of the mountain of' Skaptaa, and for more than a year showered ashes on the island, and enveloped it in a thick cloud of smoke. Cattle, sheep, and horses were destroyed, and a famine ensued. The small pox again appeared ; and in a few years above 11,000 people perished.
Notwithstanding the calamities incident to their situation, the Icelanders have still preserved literature from decline. In later times we have the names of Torfxus, Arnas Mag nmus, and Finnur Jonson, who have greatly adorned the modern literature of their country. Arnas Magnus was the son of an obscure priest, and by his talents he raised himself in 1694, when only thirty-one years of age, to the situation of professor of philosophy in the university of Copenhagen ; and soon afterwards he was appointed pro fessor of northern antiquities. He made a splendid collec tion or books and manuscripts in the Icelandic language, which was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1728. His pupil and friend Finnur Jonson has eminently contributed to preserve the literary character of his country. He was made bishop of Skalholt in 1754, and devoted a long life to the improvement and happiness of his countrymen. His Ecclesiastical History of Iceland is an admirable work, though somewhat minute in its details ; and presents a de gree of patient and accurate research which has seldom been equalled. The well known exertions of Professor Thorkelin, in behalf of Iceland, arc happily yet continued ; but the state of war, in which Europe has so long been im mersed, has brought Iceland into a state of suffering from which she cannot soon be relieved.