Pen and pencil sketches of Faröe and Iceland: With an appendix containing translations from the Icelandic and 51 illustrations engraved on wood by W. J. Linton

About this book

Andrew James Symington’s work is a Victorian travelogue that blends visual documentation with a compact survey of the Faroe Islands and Iceland. The book opens with a preface in which Symington explains his dual aim of presenting pictures and “condensing information” about the north, citing his 1859 visit and the assistance of Icelandic scholars such as Rev. Olaf Pálsson. He then details the practicalities of his 1862 voyage aboard the Danish mail‑steamer Arcturus, describing the preparations, the eclectic passenger list, and the early leg of the journey from Leith to Thorshavn. The narrative proceeds through a series of illustrated chapters, geological sketches, town views, and cultural notes, culminating in an extensive appendix of translated Icelandic tales, poetry, tourist advice, and a glossary, all supported by a thorough index.

The prose reflects the earnest, descriptive tone of mid‑nineteenth‑century exploration literature, with a measured, scholarly voice tempered by occasional personal observation. Symington’s meticulous sketches, engraved by W. J. Linton, complement his detailed observations, making the volume appealing to readers interested in historic travel accounts, early photography and illustration, or the folklore and natural history of the North Atlantic. It will especially satisfy scholars of Victorian travel writing, collectors of antiquarian art, and anyone drawn to the rugged landscapes and literary heritage of Iceland and the Faroes.

Opening lines

The aim, throughout, has been both to present pictures and condense information on matters relating to Faröe and Iceland. In obtaining the latter I have had the advantages of frequent intercourse with Icelanders, both personal and by letter, since my visit to the North in the summer of 1859, and would here mention, in particular, the Rev. Olaf Pálsson, Dean and Rector of Reykjavik Cathedral; Mr. Jón Arnason, Secretary to the Bishop, and Librarian; Mr. Gísli Brynjúlfsson, the Icelandic poet and M.P.; Mr. Sigurdur Sivertsen, a retired merchant, and Mr. Jacobson. …

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