TRAVELS IN ICELAND. 95 various objects. Disa blot consisted in sacrificing to a goddess called Disen, to whom they attributed the power of deciding the fate of mortals. Their Aha blot was a sacrifice to the spirits of rivers and fields, in order that they might succeed in their culture, or that misfortune might fall upon those of an enemy. The most ancient and terrible species of magic was called Seiilur; and was effected by fire, poetry, and singing: by this means those who were present, and even absent, who were the objects of the mysteries, became as it were bewitched, mad, and overwhelmed with misfortune. Sn. Sturleson says, that Odin himself disapproved of this vile and dangerous art, which could not fail to displease the gods, as well as the moral part of mankind. It was after this that they ceased to make sacrifices to the idols ; which proves that magic, even in pagan times, was held in abhorrence by all persons capable of reflection. They particularly detested the Seidur ; and Harold Haarfagar caused his own soil to be burnt, as well as his partisans, on being convicted of having formed a society for practising this art. It is forbidden in the most ancient laws of Iceland and the North. The ordinary punishment inflicted on those who exer- cised it, was to enclose them in a sack, stone them to death, burn the corpse, and throw the ashes into the sea. In general they burned the sorcerer or magiciaps, and scattered their udies before the wind; in order, as they asserted, that they might not return to torment the living. For in that time they had belief in the appearance of ghosts ; doubtless because Odin boasted that his art enabled him to make the dead appear, and that he had even learnt in what manner to lay spirits. But it is known that these ridiculous ideas likewise took root during the barbarous ages in all other nations; and no person is ignorant of the tales about goblins. The more learned men in Iceland at the period in question employed themselves in writing on this subject, and several of their dissertations still remain. OF THE MAGIC IN THE EARLIEST TIMES OF CHRIS- TIANITY. The magic of the early Christian ages was the same as that of pagan times, and was practised only in secret: it was in use as much in Iceland as in Norway ; and the magicians made choice of the few nights that preceded any grand festival, to perform their operations. This kind of magic is called in the ancient code of northern laws Utcseter ; which means “ outside the house.” Odin himself practised it, and Sn. Stnr/eson mentions this re- markable circumstance respecting it. Those who performed their mcantations ip the open air were supposed to converse with spirits 'vho commonly advised them to do ill; ou which accouut they

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