292 Agricultural and Land produce of Shoa. [No. 148. 



11 1. But although not that earthly paradise which Jesuitical fancy 

 had pourtrayed the country to be, and although the majestic palaces, the 

 pillars of porphyry and the Corinthian domes exist only in the imagi- 

 nation, yet still Abyssinia possesses the fresh vegetation of a northern 

 climate, the vivifying ardor of a tropical sun, and the cloudless azure 

 of a southern sky. The palaces and fanes, the gardens and gushing 

 fountains have departed with Prester John and his glories, yet there 

 still remains a fertile country, with most amazing capabilities, a 

 healthful climate, and a race of beings who, having stopped at the satis- 

 fying point "of barren bare necessity/' are at least less sensible to that 

 desire for filching so peculiarly evinced by the inhabitants of rich and 

 luxurious cities ; and though poor as to the state of the country and 

 arts, the inhabitants remain uncivilized wkhout experiencing much 

 comfort even in their highest enjoyment, and possessing no antidote for 

 sorrow in their debased condition ; still the contrast between their 

 existence under an absolute and complete despotism is striking, when 

 compared with that of their neighbours, the Adaiel, who pride them- 

 selves on being the free citizens of independent tribes. The Abyssinians 

 are, comparatively speaking, numerous, powerful, and somewhat ad- 

 vanced in the arts and improvements of life; whilst the others are 

 barbarous, idle, improvident, and licentious; and bad therefore as ab- 

 solute power is in itself, there appears something salutary in any do- 

 minion over uncivilized minds, which tends so considerably to the 

 ultimate improvement of the savage. 



112. But it cannot be expected that Abyssinia should, for a 

 length of time, take rank among those countries which are peculiarly 

 happy, wealthy or abundant, as all the prevailing customs and prac- 

 tices are at utter variance with the laws for the production, consump- 

 tion and distribution of wealth. A heavy taxation is enforced on 

 the produce of the field ; monastic and clerical establishments are 

 fostered to the ruin of the people; the venal judges are paid by fees 

 on the causes which they decide ; and popular superstition and impos- 

 ture have the royal sanction for abuse; whilst, on the other, not 

 a vestige of aught that might be useful is ever taken into considera- 

 tion. Here are no roads constructed for the conveyance of produce 

 and traffic; no schools founded for the benefit of the rising generation ; 

 and fear and prejudice alike prevent the inhabitants from travelling 



