How nature must have laboured and raged till these forms were created! And is it over now?
Has the destroying element exhausted itself; or does it only rest, like the hundred-headed Hydra, to break forth with renewed strength, and desolate those regions which, pushed to the verge of the sea-shore, encircle the sterile interior as a modest wreath?
I thank God that he has permitted me to behold this chaos in his creation; but I thank him more heartily that he has placed me to dwell in regions where the sun does more than merely give light; where it inspires and fertilises animals and plants, and fills the human heart with joy and thankfulness towards its Creator.

{43} The Westmann Isles, which are said to be visible from the top of Hecla, I could not see; they were probably covered by clouds.
During the ascent of the Hecla I had frequently touched lava,--sometimes involuntarily, when I fell; sometimes voluntarily, to find a hot or at least a warm place.

I was unfortunate enough only to find cold ones.
The falling snow was therefore most welcome, and I looked anxiously around to see a place where the subterranean heat would melt it.

I should then have hastened thither and found what I sought.

But unfortunately the snow remained unmelted every where.