154 OFFICE OF BALDERABAH. 



less, for the cold weather, the thin shelter of the 

 tent, and my expected attack of the fever paroxysm 

 on this day, made me anxions to proceed at once, 

 after my visit to the palace, to my comparatively 

 comfortable quarters in Aliu Amba, where the 

 climate was so much more temperate and agreeable. 

 I sent Walderheros to report the circumstance of my 

 being very ill, and he fortunately met Tinta, who 

 was coming down to see me, having been appointed 

 to act as my "balderabah." This is an officer who 

 attends to the wants of a stranger guest, and is 

 responsible to the Negoos for any neglect of the 

 duties of hospitality. He also is the channel of 

 communication between the monarch and his 

 visitors, nor can any other person of the royal 

 household undertake the duties of, or become the 

 deputy of another in this office, so that it not unfre- 

 quently happens that an inconvenient detention in 

 one of the courts of the palace takes place, if the 

 balderabah happens not to be present to announce 

 to the Negoos the presence or the business of his 

 client. As the balderabah is always chosen from 

 among the principal men about the court, the office 

 is somewhat analogous to that of the patrons which 

 characterized the state of society among the ancient 

 Romans. The signification of the name "balder- 

 abah," in the Amharic language is, the master or 

 opener of the door. 



Tinta came down, and after announcing to me 

 that I had permission to remain in his town, and 



