227 



CHAPTER XV. 



Market day in Aliu Amba. — Toll of wares. — Court of Piepoudre. 

 — Appearance of the market. — The salt money. — Character of 

 the different vendors. — The prices of several articles. — No Jews 

 in Abyssinia. 



July 29. — The next Friday, feeling somewhat 

 stronger, I determined to accompany Walderheros 

 to the market-place. As in England, the days of 

 such weekly meetings, for the convenience of sale 

 or barter, vary in the towns of Shoa. In Aliu 

 Amba the Mahomedan Sabbath is found most con- 

 venient, whilst Ankobar market is held on Satur- 

 days, and in other places Mondays or Tuesdays are 

 the appointed days. Nothing, I think, charac- 

 terizes a peaceful people, or a healthy social con- 

 dition, more than these weekly meetings for the 

 mutual convenience of buyers and sellers. The 

 security of property is so apparent, honest industry 

 and prudent economy so evident, that even in the 

 most unfavourable positions for the increase of 

 knowledge, and the advance of civilization, where- 

 ever these evidences of a people's foresight and 

 • good disposition exist, I never despair, but that 

 when other more favourable opportunities are vouch- 

 q 2 



