1843.] and the Abyssiaian Church. 643 



substituted by imitations in metals. The idea of the aqua-dama 

 might have been taken from the tendrils of a creeper hanging in clusters 

 from a massive branch of the Weira tree, and the ornament is certainly 

 deserving of much praise for its singular beauty and fanciful form. 

 A transverse bar of worked silver worn across the brow over a thick 

 row of ornamented pendants reaching to the eyes, and branches of 

 light chains depending at intervals completely round the head, fall 

 in a glittering mass to the waist, whilst a worked coronet rises high 

 above the bar, and is profusely cut into open figures and highly wrought 

 crosses. 



60. The gauntlet is generally made of silver, and reaches from the 

 wrist to the elbow, and the armlet is an unmeaning hollow ring of silver, 

 resembling in size and clumsiness rather a manacle to secure a wild colt, 

 than an ornament for a Christian man. 



61. The travelling equipment of a man of rank is very simple indeed, 

 and a few attendants or a sumpter mule suffice to carry all requisites for 

 the journey. His wants are but few — a loaf of bread and a horn of 

 mead for his sustenance, and a skin for his bedding ; the cotton robe 

 serves him for covering by day and by night, and he can always find 

 some shelter at the end of the march, which is little inferior to what 

 he had been accustomed at home. 



62. Ambling along upon his mule gaily bedecked with bells and 

 brass ornaments, with a running footman on each side, he takes the road 

 early in the morning, followed by a party of retainers according to his 

 means. Immediately behind his person, the confidential shield-bearer 

 takes precedence, his steward rides nearly abreast to hold a share in the 

 conversation, and the remainder of the train, some with load and on foot, 

 but all armed with sword and spear follow, as they choose, a noisy mot- 

 ley group, without order or regularity. They are, however, attached to 

 their master from long service and kind treatment, and in many ordinary 

 transactions swear by his name, instead of that of the ruling monarch. 



63. A stage of 25 or 32 miles is considered long, and indeed the 

 high hills to be ascended, and deep valleys to be crossed, render it weari- 

 some to traverse even that distance ; the general pace is the common 

 step of the mule, about 3 miles an hour, but when the road is level, the 

 amble is increased to 5, and those on foot are accustomed to keep up with 

 the mounted party. A saddled horse is often led in the train, a custom 



