Shorter Notices
HERE we have a concise account of the history of Iceland, and its present position, in 48 pages. It is well done and doubly interesting to members of a highly urbanised nation. We find that the popula- tion is 125,00o, that of Norwich. There is a certain self-conscious- ness in the mention, for instance, of the number of bridges over a certain number of metres in length. The first lighthouse was erected as late as 1878. In the author's words:
" The material culture which the Icelanders now enjoy is not above fifty years old, but if an account is to be given of their intellectual culture it is necessary to go back more than a thousand years."
It is stated that in Iceland there is one publication for every 466 of the inhabitants, while the number in Britain is 3,205 and in the United States 12,497. Iceland has, of course, taken on an immense new importance during the war and one can tell that Mr. Thord,arson does not think it is all for the good that she should come on to'the highways of the world. He says with pathos:
"Although the land is still in its old place, it can no longer be regarded as remote and isolated."
A sound pamphlet, with some suggestive sidelights.
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