419 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



Conversation on medical matters with the Negoos. — Of Guancho. 

 — The State prison. — The construction of its defences. — Good 

 medicine for captives. — Its probable effect. — Of the Gallas. — 

 Their invasion. — Of the Gongas. — Abyssinian slaves. — Con- 

 clusion. 



A very singular circumstance connected with our 

 conversation respecting the health of the brother 

 of the Negoos was, that neither Bethlehem or 

 myself recollected at first, that all the near relations 

 of Sahale Selassee were incarcerated in prison, 

 according to ancient Abyssinian custom, and which, 

 I believe, was also practised in the kingdom of 

 Judea, to secure, by this cruel policy, the monarch 

 from personal danger, and the country from the 

 evils inflicted by civil war, that might otherwise 

 arise by the ambition or simplicity of the other 

 branches of the Royal family, either acting itself or 

 admitting of being acted upon by the arts of others. 

 The Shoan prison for these unfortunates is a 

 high conical hill, called Guancho, situated midway 

 between Aliu Amba and Farree, and is the 

 residence of the Wallasmah Mahomed, who fills 

 the office of State gaoler, as well as collector of 

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