304 ABYSSINIAN DRESS. 



weak state, I had put it on as a substitute for a 

 shirt. Over all was thrown a most comfortable 

 thick cloth of the softest cotton, more like a light 

 blanket than anything else. This part of the 

 dress, which is called legumbigalla, is about four 

 times the size of a Scotch plaid, and worn very 

 much in the same manner, but is an ordinary, not 

 extraordinary, article of clothing, and is hardly 

 ever off the shoulders of an Abyssinian, except 

 when occupied in some laborious duty. 



Being thus attired in the costume of the country, 

 and having drank a bottle of the very strongest 

 barilla tedge, I felt quite recovered, and in reply 

 to a message from the Negoos, inquiring if I were 

 well enough to wait upon him that morning ; 

 proposed going at once to the palace, as I was 

 anxious, whilst under the influence of the reaction, 

 to get over a considerable portion of the fatiguing 

 road home. 



It was ten o'clock, however, before a second 

 messenger from the Negoos desired me to go 

 immediately to see him, as he wanted me to give 

 an opinion upon the respective merits of a number 

 of rifles and other guns. Accordingly, on arrival at 

 the palace, I was ushered into an inner apartment 

 beyond the large central room, and which cor- 

 responded with the porch on the front side, where 

 I had seen his majesty the day before. This 

 opened, however, into a private court, at the farther 

 end of which, was the house assigned to the female 



