1843.] and the Abyssinian Church. 657 



whilst to the women all the other heavy work is accorded, as fetching 

 wood, water and grass, making hutter and bread, spinning, pounding 

 and grinding. Markets are held once a week in various parts of the 

 kingdom, and the weekly supply for household use is then laid in. 

 Men and women indiscriminately attend, each occupied by their own 

 peculiar duties ; at other times in all the towns and villages of Abys- 

 sinia, there being neither open shop or bazar, the Owenian system of 

 barter entirely prevails, and the proprietor of any article who wishes an 

 exchange perambulates the streets, calling aloud from door to door the 

 nature of his goods, until he finds some individual willing to make the 

 desired barter. 



109. Love rules neither camp nor grove in Abyssinia, but base 

 sensuality is indulged in by the grossest indiscriminate intercourse. A 

 permanent female is sought for as a household drudge, the child is 

 delivered over into bondage without any reference to her own wishes, 

 and remains with her mate only until she can better her miserable con- 

 dition elsewhere. 



Women of rank, however, and more especially those of royal blood, 

 assume high grounds and pretensions, for the honor has been conferred 

 by linking with the lot of the subject ; the reins of authority are generally 

 taken violent possession of, the order and the command issue in the 

 name of the lady, and the hen-pecked husband on whom the alliance 

 has been thrust, is obliged in his own establishment, to endure in peace 

 all the despotism of the palace. 



110. In all matters of quarrel and dissension, should either of the 

 parties desire to be reconciled, the matter cannot be adjusted without 

 the intervention of a mediator ; a third individual is sought for, who will 

 undertake the arrangement, and in his hands the affair is entirely plac- 

 ed. The king himself often accepts the office, and of course is rarely un- 

 successful in his applications. Inferiors come into the presence of their 

 offended masters with large stones upon their heads, and prostrate 

 themselves upon the earth in token of their fault, which, however, is 

 generally forgiven on the intercession of the mediator. Quarrels be- 

 tween man and wife, if not allayed with the cudgel, or of that serious 

 nature to cause separation, are settled by arbitration ; the neighbours as- 

 semble to discuss the matter, a judge is instituted for the occasion, the 

 parties are mutually examined, and a fine is imposed according to the 



4 R 



