In it lives the Sysselmann of the Rangaar district, in a large and beautiful house such as I saw no where in Iceland except in Reikjavik.

He had gone to the capital of the island as member of the Allthing; but his daughters received me very hospitably and kindly.
We talked and chatted much; I tried to display my knowledge of the Danish language before them, and must often have made use of curious phrases, for the girls could not contain their laughter.

But that did not abash me; I laughed with them, applied to my dictionary, which I carried with me, and chatted on.

They seemed to gather no very high idea of the beauty of my countrywomen from my personal appearance; for which I humbly crave the forgiveness of my countrywomen, assuring them that no one regrets the fact more than I do.

But dame Nature always treats people of my years very harshly, and sets a bad example to youth of the respect due to age.