1843.] and the Abyssinian Church. 673 



to rob his premises, which was only defeated by the extra vigilance 

 preserved in consequence of having exposed the impostor. 



152. No Amhara will venture to destroy a serpent save on Saturday 

 and Sunday, when the sight of one of these reptiles is regarded as a fa- 

 vourable omen. In common with the heathen Galla, the Christians of 

 Shoa make annual votive sacrifices in June to " Sar" the evil spirit, 

 continuing the practice notwithstanding its being interdicted by royal 

 proclamation under the penalty of forfeiture of property. Three men and 

 a woman, who understand how to deal with the evil one having assem- 

 bled at the place appointed, perform the ceremony in a newly swept 

 house. The sacrifice consists of a ginger coloured hen, a red she-goat 

 or a male Adaiel goat with a white collar ; the blood of the victim having 

 been mixed with grease and butter, is secretly placed during the night 

 in a narrow street, when all who step or tread thereon, are supposed to 

 receive the maladies of the invalid, who in return is restored to perfect 

 health. The king perceived traces of this Pagan ceremony in the streets 

 of Motatiel during a visit to that village some years ago, and tracing it 

 to a wealthy individual who had caused the rite to be performed in 

 order to free himself of syphilis, the honor of true religion was forthwith 

 vindicated by a speedy transfer to the royal coffers of all the property 

 of the dabbler in unholy rites. 



153. The drum of the water kelpie is heard by the credulous na- 

 tive in the echo of every roaring waterfall, and the wretch drowning in 

 the overflowing torrent is dragged under the rushing wave as the high- 

 ly coveted food of the malicious spirit of the deep. Divers plants and 

 herbs possess the most baneful properties and qualities, and a bunch of 

 the Fegain grass, if skilfully cast upon the person of an obnoxious 

 enemy, produces dire disease, sickness and death. 



154. Sorcerers and necromancers attaining the respectable age of 

 4 and 500 years, exist in numbers in this land, flitting through the air 

 and riding upon the wings of the wind at pleasure, and unbidden and 

 invisible guests, eating the best and drinking the choicest liquors on the 

 festive board. 



155. " Thavanan," the great sorcerer of modern days, is looked upon 

 with universal dread, and his last public act is still fresh in the memory 

 of the present generation. He had for a long time indulged his palate, 

 and enjoyed his place unseen at the king's own table, but being at 



4 T 



