THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 249 



Again, in point of language, there is a variety of tongues 

 fpoken in the fecond divifion beiides thatof Amhara. InTigre, 

 however, the reparation as to languages holds true, as there 

 is no tongue known there but Geez, or that of the Shepherds. 



MAsuAH,in ancient times, was one of the principal places 

 of refidence of the Baharnagafh, who, when he was not there 

 himfelf, conflantly left his deputy, or lieutenant. In fum- 

 mer he refided for feveral months in the ifland of Dahalac, 

 then accounted part of his territory. He was, after the King 

 and Betwudet, the perfon of the greatefl confideration in 

 the kingdom, and was inverted with fendick and nagareet, 

 the kettle-drum, and colours, marks of fupreme command. 



Masuah was taken, and a bafha eflablifhed there foon 

 after, as we have feen in the hiftory, in the reign of Menas, 

 when the Baharnagafh, named Ifaac, confederated with the 

 Turkiih bafha, and ceded to him a great territory, part of 

 his own government, and with it Dobarwa, the capital of 

 his province, divided only by the river Mareb from Tigre. 

 From this time this office fell into difrepute in the king- 

 dom. The fendick and nagareet, the marks of fupreme 

 power, were taken from him, and he never was allowed a 

 place in council, unlefs fpecially called on by the king. He 

 preferves his privilege of being crowned with gold ; but, 

 when appointed, has a cloak thrown over him, the one fide 

 white, the other a dark blue, and the officer who crowns 

 him admonilhes him of what will befal him if he preferves 

 his allegiance, which is fignified by the white fide of the 

 cloak ; and the difgrace and punifhment that is to attend 

 his treafon, and which has fallen upon his predeceflbrs, which 

 he figures to him by turning up the colour of mourning. 



Vol. III. I i Besides 



