As I entered the church the mourners were busily seeking courage and consolation in the brandy-bottle.

The law commands, indeed, that this be not done in the church; but if every one obeyed the law, what need would there be of judges?
The Icelanders must think so, else they would discontinue the unseemly practice.
When the priest came, a psalm or a prayer--I could not tell which it was, being Icelandic--was so earnestly shouted by peasants under the leadership of the priest and elders, that the good people waxed quite warm and out of breath.

Then the priest placed himself before the coffin, which, for want of room, had been laid on the backs of the seats, and with a very loud voice read a prayer which lasted more than half an hour.

With this the ceremony within the church was concluded, and the coffin was carried round the church to the grave, followed by the priest and the rest of the company.

This grave was deeper than any I had ever seen.