1843.] and the Abyssinian Church. 651 



88. In the country, there is no attention whatever paid to cleanliness 

 or comfort. The stagnant dunghill is carried by the descending rain 

 but a few yards from the walls, and the cattle and poultry are allowed 

 to share the general apartment ; misery and confinement are strikingly 

 pourtrayed in the worn-out thatch and the wattle stockade which sur- 

 rounds the farm steading, whilst the inmates themselves, although 

 supplied with an ample sufficiency to sustain the mere necessities of 

 life, exist amid dirt and vermin, without experiencing much comfort 

 even in the moments of their very highest enjoyment. 



89. It is the practice of this uncivilized country to keep the demise of 

 royalty a profound secret so long as possible, in order to avert the 

 anarchy and confusion that would not fail to occur during an interreg- 

 num, when every individual in the kingdom considers himself at full 

 liberty to act according to the best of his imagination, without fear of 

 punishment. Whilst there is no king there is no law, is the maxim in 

 Shoa, and the foulest crimes are committed with the most perfect impu- 

 nity. On the news of the death of Assfawoosun, the streets of Debra 

 Sibanoo ran red with blood, and 800 victims were immolated to private 

 malice and revenge, before the appointment of his successor was pro- 

 claimed, and justice and order re-established on their seats. 



90. At other times also, the great Christian maxim is too apt to be 

 forgotten. The Abyssinian remembers only that he is savage, and 

 revenge, as usual, takes up the first position in the mind. Many a dark 

 deed has been cowardly enacted in the deep forest or in the confused 

 skirmish, and the Gallas have been oftentimes most wrongfully accused 

 of foul murder and death, when the victim has fallen under the assas- 

 sin spear of his false comrade ; and indeed the rulers and leaders of 

 armies are on this account always much disinclined to lead their forces 

 through difficult woods and defiles, being well aware of the dread effects 

 of Amhara treachery. 



91. It is deeply to be lamented, that any nation whatever should 

 esteem even the heads of the slain as the great emblem of victory, but 

 the more atrocious and disgusting barbarity of Abyssinia, the base idea 

 of which is so revolting to humanity, is the filthiest ceremony that ever 

 disgraced any styling themselves a nation. The frailty of human nature 

 is indeed discernable in the most legible characters, and he who wit- 

 nessed the unhallowed proceeding cannot fail to offer up a fervent wish, 



