After this time only one ship is despatched, to carry the mails of the Danish government.

This vessel leaves Copenhagen in October, remains in Iceland during the winter months, and returns in March.

The gain or loss of this expedition is distributed in shares among the merchants of Copenhagen.
Besides this, a French frigate comes to Iceland every spring, and cruises among the different harbours until the middle of August.

She superintends the fishing vessels, which, attracted by the large profits of the fisheries, visit these seas in great numbers during the summer.
{17} Opportunities of returning from Iceland occur during the summer until the end of September, by means of the merchant-ships, which carry freights from the island to Denmark, England, and Spain.
At length, on Sunday the 4th of May, a favourable wind sprung up.

Herr Knudson sent me word to be ready to embark at noon on board the fine brig _John_.
I immediately proceeded on board.