October 15, 2025 • 8 mins
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter seven, Conversation and Discovery. When I returned, dinner was ready.
This meal was devoured by my worthy relative with avidity
and veracity. His shipboard diet had turned his interior into
a perfect gulf. The repast, which was more Danish than Icelandic,
was in itself nothing, but the excessive hospitality of our
(00:23):
hosts made us enjoy it doubly. The conversation turned upon
scientific matters, and Monsieur Fridericson asked my uncle what he
thought of the public library library, Sir, cried my uncle,
it appears to me a collection of useless, odd volumes
and a beggarly amount of empty shelves. What, cried mister Fridericson,
Why we have eight thousand volumes of most rare and
(00:47):
valuable works, some in Scandinavian language, besides all the new
publications from Copenhagen, eight thousand volumes, My dear sir, why
where are they? Cried my uncle, scattered over the country,
Professor Hardwig. We are very studious, my dear sir. Though
we do live in Iceland. Every farmer, every laborer, every
(01:10):
fisherman can both read and write. And we think that
books instead of being locked up in cupboards far from
the site of students, should be distributed as widely as possible.
The books of our library are therefore passed from hand
to hand without returning to the library shelves, perhaps for years.
Then when foreigners visit you, there is nothing for them
to see. Well, sir, foreigners have their own libraries, and
(01:34):
our first consideration is that our humbler classes should be
highly educated. Fortunately, the love of study is innate in
the Icelandic people. In eighteen sixteen we found that a
literary society and mechanics institute, many foreign scholars of eminence
are honorary members. We publish books destined to educate our people,
and these books have rendered valuable services to our country.
(01:57):
Allow me to have the honor Professor Hardwig to enroll
you he as an honorary member. My uncle, who already
belonged to nearly every literary and scientific institution in Europe,
immediately yielded to the amiable wishes of the good Monsieur Friedrichsen.
And now he said, after many expressions of gratitude and
good will, if you will tell me what books you
(02:17):
expect to find, perhaps I may be of some assistance
to you. I watched my uncle keenly for a minute
or two. He hesitated, as if unwilling to speak, to
speak openly, was perhaps to unveil his projects. Nevertheless, after
some reflection he made up his mind. Well, mister Friedrichsen,
he said, in an easy, unconcerned kind of way, I
(02:40):
was desirous of ascertaining if, among other valuable works, you
had any of the learned Arnsock Neussom. Arnsocknussom, cried the
professor of Rekiyevic. You speak of one of the most
distinguished scholars of the sixteenth century, of the great naturalist,
the great alchemist, the great traveler. Exactly so, one of
(03:02):
the most distinguished men connected with Icelandic science and literature,
as you say, sir, a man illustrious above all. Yes, sir,
all this is true. But his works we have none
of them, not in Iceland. There are none in Iceland
or elsewhere, answered the other sadly. Why so, because arnstock
(03:26):
Newsom was persecuted for heresy, and in fifteen seventy three
his works were publicly burnt at Copenhagen by the hands
of the common hangman. Very good capital, murmured my uncle
to the great astonishment of the worthy icelander, you said, sir. Yes, yes,
all is clear. I see the link in the chain.
(03:47):
Everything is explained, and I now understand by Arnstock Newsom,
put out of court, forced to hide his magnificent discoveries,
was compelled to conceal beneath the veil of an incomprehensible cryptograph.
The secret? What secret? A secret? Which stammered my uncle.
Have you discovered some wonderful manuscript, cried mister Fridericson. No, No,
(04:11):
I was carried away by my enthusiasm. A mere supposition.
Very good, sir, But really to turn to another subject,
I hope you will not leave our island without examining
into its mineralogical riches. Well, the fact is I am
rather late. So many learned men have been here before me. Yes, yes,
(04:31):
but there is still much to be done, cried Monster Fridericson.
You think so, said my uncle, his eyes twinkling with
hidden satisfaction. Yes, you have no idea how many unknown mountains,
glaciers volcanoes there are which remain to be studied. Without
moving from where we sit, I can show you one
yonder on the edge of the horizon. You see Sneffles. Oh, yes, Sneffles,
(04:54):
said my uncle, one of the most curious volcanoes in existence,
the crater of which has been rarely visited, extinct, extinct
any time these five hundred years. Was the ready reply. Well,
said my uncle, who dug his nails into his flesh
and pressed his knees tightly together to prevent himself leaping
up with joy. I have a great mind to begin
(05:17):
my studies with an examination of the geological mysteries of
this mount cephal Feissel. What do you call it? Sneffeles,
My dear sir. This portion of the conversation took place
in Latin, and I therefore understood all that had been said.
I could scarcely keep my countenance when I found my
uncle so cunningly concealing his delight and satisfaction. I must
(05:40):
confess that his artful grimaces put on to conceal his
happiness made him look like a new Mephistopheles. Yes, yes,
he continued, Your proposition delights me. I will endeavor to
climb to the summit of Sneffels, and, if possible, would
ascend into its crater. I very much regret, continued mister Friederickson,
(06:00):
that my occupation will entirely preclude the possibility of my
accompanying you. It would have been both pleasurable and profitable
if I could have spared the time. No, No, A
thousand times, no, cried my uncle. I do not wish
to disturb the serenity of any man. I thank you, however,
with all my heart. The presence of one so learned
as yourself would no doubt have been most useful. But
(06:23):
the duties of your office and profession before everything. In
the innocence of his simple heart, our host did not
perceive the irony of these remarks. I entirely approve your project,
continued the Icelander, after some further remarks. It is a
good idea to begin by examining this volcano. You will
make a harvest of curious observations. In the first place,
(06:43):
how do you propose to get to Sneffeles by sea?
I shall cross the bay, of course. That is a
most rapid route, of course, but still it cannot be done.
Why we have not an available boat in all? Rekievich
replied the other. What to be done? You must go
by land along the coast. It is longer, but much
(07:05):
more interesting. Then I must have a guide, of course,
and I have your very man, somebody on whom I
can depend, Yes, an inhabitant of the peninsula on which
Sneffels is situated. He is a very shrewd and worthy
man with whom you will be pleased. He speaks Danish
like a Dane. When can I see him to day? No, tomorrow.
(07:28):
He will not be here before tomorrow, be it, replied
my uncle with a deep sigh. The conversation ended by
compliments on both sides. During the dinner, my uncle had
learned much as to the history of Armstock Neussom the
reasons for his mysterious and hieroglyphical document. He also became
aware that his host would not accompany him on his
adventurous expedition, and that next day we should have a guide.
(07:53):
End of Chapter seven
Chapter seven, Conversation and Discovery. When I returned, dinner was ready.
This meal was devoured by my worthy relative with avidity
and veracity. His shipboard diet had turned his interior into
a perfect gulf. The repast, which was more Danish than Icelandic,
was in itself nothing, but the excessive hospitality of our
(00:23):
hosts made us enjoy it doubly. The conversation turned upon
scientific matters, and Monsieur Fridericson asked my uncle what he
thought of the public library library, Sir, cried my uncle,
it appears to me a collection of useless, odd volumes
and a beggarly amount of empty shelves. What, cried mister Fridericson,
Why we have eight thousand volumes of most rare and
(00:47):
valuable works, some in Scandinavian language, besides all the new
publications from Copenhagen, eight thousand volumes, My dear sir, why
where are they? Cried my uncle, scattered over the country,
Professor Hardwig. We are very studious, my dear sir. Though
we do live in Iceland. Every farmer, every laborer, every
(01:10):
fisherman can both read and write. And we think that
books instead of being locked up in cupboards far from
the site of students, should be distributed as widely as possible.
The books of our library are therefore passed from hand
to hand without returning to the library shelves, perhaps for years.
Then when foreigners visit you, there is nothing for them
to see. Well, sir, foreigners have their own libraries, and
(01:34):
our first consideration is that our humbler classes should be
highly educated. Fortunately, the love of study is innate in
the Icelandic people. In eighteen sixteen we found that a
literary society and mechanics institute, many foreign scholars of eminence
are honorary members. We publish books destined to educate our people,
and these books have rendered valuable services to our country.
(01:57):
Allow me to have the honor Professor Hardwig to enroll
you he as an honorary member. My uncle, who already
belonged to nearly every literary and scientific institution in Europe,
immediately yielded to the amiable wishes of the good Monsieur Friedrichsen.
And now he said, after many expressions of gratitude and
good will, if you will tell me what books you
(02:17):
expect to find, perhaps I may be of some assistance
to you. I watched my uncle keenly for a minute
or two. He hesitated, as if unwilling to speak, to
speak openly, was perhaps to unveil his projects. Nevertheless, after
some reflection he made up his mind. Well, mister Friedrichsen,
he said, in an easy, unconcerned kind of way, I
(02:40):
was desirous of ascertaining if, among other valuable works, you
had any of the learned Arnsock Neussom. Arnsocknussom, cried the
professor of Rekiyevic. You speak of one of the most
distinguished scholars of the sixteenth century, of the great naturalist,
the great alchemist, the great traveler. Exactly so, one of
(03:02):
the most distinguished men connected with Icelandic science and literature,
as you say, sir, a man illustrious above all. Yes, sir,
all this is true. But his works we have none
of them, not in Iceland. There are none in Iceland
or elsewhere, answered the other sadly. Why so, because arnstock
(03:26):
Newsom was persecuted for heresy, and in fifteen seventy three
his works were publicly burnt at Copenhagen by the hands
of the common hangman. Very good capital, murmured my uncle
to the great astonishment of the worthy icelander, you said, sir. Yes, yes,
all is clear. I see the link in the chain.
(03:47):
Everything is explained, and I now understand by Arnstock Newsom,
put out of court, forced to hide his magnificent discoveries,
was compelled to conceal beneath the veil of an incomprehensible cryptograph.
The secret? What secret? A secret? Which stammered my uncle.
Have you discovered some wonderful manuscript, cried mister Fridericson. No, No,
(04:11):
I was carried away by my enthusiasm. A mere supposition.
Very good, sir, But really to turn to another subject,
I hope you will not leave our island without examining
into its mineralogical riches. Well, the fact is I am
rather late. So many learned men have been here before me. Yes, yes,
(04:31):
but there is still much to be done, cried Monster Fridericson.
You think so, said my uncle, his eyes twinkling with
hidden satisfaction. Yes, you have no idea how many unknown mountains,
glaciers volcanoes there are which remain to be studied. Without
moving from where we sit, I can show you one
yonder on the edge of the horizon. You see Sneffles. Oh, yes, Sneffles,
(04:54):
said my uncle, one of the most curious volcanoes in existence,
the crater of which has been rarely visited, extinct, extinct
any time these five hundred years. Was the ready reply. Well,
said my uncle, who dug his nails into his flesh
and pressed his knees tightly together to prevent himself leaping
up with joy. I have a great mind to begin
(05:17):
my studies with an examination of the geological mysteries of
this mount cephal Feissel. What do you call it? Sneffeles,
My dear sir. This portion of the conversation took place
in Latin, and I therefore understood all that had been said.
I could scarcely keep my countenance when I found my
uncle so cunningly concealing his delight and satisfaction. I must
(05:40):
confess that his artful grimaces put on to conceal his
happiness made him look like a new Mephistopheles. Yes, yes,
he continued, Your proposition delights me. I will endeavor to
climb to the summit of Sneffels, and, if possible, would
ascend into its crater. I very much regret, continued mister Friederickson,
(06:00):
that my occupation will entirely preclude the possibility of my
accompanying you. It would have been both pleasurable and profitable
if I could have spared the time. No, No, A
thousand times, no, cried my uncle. I do not wish
to disturb the serenity of any man. I thank you, however,
with all my heart. The presence of one so learned
as yourself would no doubt have been most useful. But
(06:23):
the duties of your office and profession before everything. In
the innocence of his simple heart, our host did not
perceive the irony of these remarks. I entirely approve your project,
continued the Icelander, after some further remarks. It is a
good idea to begin by examining this volcano. You will
make a harvest of curious observations. In the first place,
(06:43):
how do you propose to get to Sneffeles by sea?
I shall cross the bay, of course. That is a
most rapid route, of course, but still it cannot be done.
Why we have not an available boat in all? Rekievich
replied the other. What to be done? You must go
by land along the coast. It is longer, but much
(07:05):
more interesting. Then I must have a guide, of course,
and I have your very man, somebody on whom I
can depend, Yes, an inhabitant of the peninsula on which
Sneffels is situated. He is a very shrewd and worthy
man with whom you will be pleased. He speaks Danish
like a Dane. When can I see him to day? No, tomorrow.
(07:28):
He will not be here before tomorrow, be it, replied
my uncle with a deep sigh. The conversation ended by
compliments on both sides. During the dinner, my uncle had
learned much as to the history of Armstock Neussom the
reasons for his mysterious and hieroglyphical document. He also became
aware that his host would not accompany him on his
adventurous expedition, and that next day we should have a guide.
(07:53):
End of Chapter seven
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