The _u_, as in German and Italian, is equivalent to _oo_ in the English words _cool_, _troop_, &c.; as in Ulf, Huskarl, &c. _C_ has invariably the sound of _k_ (with which, indeed, it is frequently interchanged). The names of Cetel, Oscytel, &c., are to be pronounced Ketel, Oskytel. Where _c_ or _k_ precedes another consonant, it retains, as in German, its distinct and proper power. In order to represent this power, Latin and English writers have sometimes substituted the syllable _ca_ for the initial _c_ or _k_; as, for instance, in the name of Canute (_Dan._, Cnut or Knud). This has led to the very common error of pronouncing the name as if it consisted of two syllables, with an accent upon the first; as Cán-ute, instead of Cănúte. _J_ has the sound of the English _y_; as in Jarl (_Yarl_, earl), Jorvik (_Yor-vik_, York). The consonants _th_ (the Icelandic Þ[1]) are pronounced like a single _t_. The word _Thing_ (assizes, &c.), which the reader will so frequently meet, is sounded like _Ting_. The proper pronunciation is preserved in the word _Hus-ting_, but by altering the spelling. Thus, Thor, Thorkil, &c., must be pronounced _Tor_, _Torkil_. Footnote 1: The letter ð has the power of _dh_, or _dth_. Lastly, the Vikings (_Isl._, Vikingr, a sea-rover, pirate), who played so great a part during the Danish conquests, were not Ví-kings, but Vik-ings (Veék-ings); so called either from the Icelandic _Vik_ (_Dan._, Vig), a bay of the sea, or from _Vig_, battle, slaughter. London, Dec. 15th, 1851. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AUTHOR’S PREFACE. In the spring of 1846, his late Majesty Christian VIII. of Denmark determined that an inquiry should be made respecting the monuments and memorials of the Danes and Norwegians which might be still extant in Scotland and the British Islands. His Majesty was the more confirmed in this design as two distinguished British noblemen, his Grace the Duke of Sutherland, and his brother Lord Francis Egerton (now Earl of Ellesmere), had repeatedly stated in their letters to the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries that, if a Danish archæologist visited Scotland, he should receive all possible assistance, especially in Sutherland, a district so rich in Scandinavian antiquities.