Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1919 — COUNTRY NOT RIGHTLY NAMED [ARTICLE]

COUNTRY NOT RIGHTLY NAMED

Iceland by Nc Meant the Barren Waete Which Appellation Would Seem to Imply. Iceland suggests io many peopUe a land of glacial coldness populated by fur-clad shivering natives, probably Eskimos. The real Icelander wears clothes no warmer then those needed Ih Canada. His winters are usually no more severe than those of Canada. The Icelander Is not an Eskimo. He Is a descendant of the fair-hatred Vikings. Nothing excites .'an Icelander more than to have some one pleasantly ask him If It is ever warm In Iceland and If any flowers grow there, s That Iceland Is s»» misunderstood Is entirely the fault of the Norse explorers.who landed on the island and T-lt obliged to name It. As it was a cold day and the land was frozen beneath a blanket of show, they thoughtlessly called it Iceland and departed hastily. Had they first Visited the Island on a spring day, when the wind bl«»w across the broad plains, they might have felt the vastness of the place and with equal carelessness called it Greathind. The name Iceland was officially adopted and instantly became the Island’s hoodoo. Summer In Iceland is warm, sometitnes hot. In June the sun pours down upon the plains continuously save for a few minutes at midnight. Another untcelandlc phase of li-eland ar® the hot springs which spout up steaming water. To this hot water supply the women carry their washing as a matter of convenience. Iceland la not a land of luxuriant vegetation or perfect climate. It Is a fairly prosperous little country that struggles bravely against its handicaps, not the least of .which is the world’s attitude of persistent misunderstanding.