THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 9 



independent of their ancient mailers the Abyflinians, have 

 wrefled fo many provinces from them, and, from the differ- 

 ence of their faith, hold them in fuch utter contempt, 

 mould neverthelefs be content to call themfelves their flaves, 

 fo nothing is more true, than that this name of Gibberti 

 has a very different import. Jabber, in Arabic, the word 

 from which it is derived, fignifies the faith, or the true faith-, 

 and Gibberti confequently means the faithful, or the orthodox, 

 by which name of honour thefe moors, inhabiting the low 

 country of Abyflinia, call each other, as being conftant in 

 their faith amidfl Chriftians with whom they are at per- 

 petual war. 



There is no current coin in Abyflinia. Gold is paid by 

 weight ; all the revenues are chiefly paid in kind, viz. oxen, 

 Iheep, and honey, which are the greater! neceflaries of life. 

 As for luxuries, they are obtained by a barter of gold, 

 myrrh, coffee, elephants teeth, and a variety of other articles 

 which are carried over to Arabia ; and in exchange for thefe 

 is brought back whatever is commiflioned. 



EvERr great man in Abyflinia has one of thefe Gibber tis 

 for his factor. The king has many, who are commonly the 

 ffirewdefc and moft intelligent of their profeflion. Thefe 

 were the firfl inhabitants of Abyflinia, whom commerce 

 connected with the Arabians on the other fide of the Straits 

 of Babelmandeb, with whom they intermarry, or with one 

 another, which preferves their colour and features, refem- 

 bling both the Abyflinians and Arabians. In Arabia, they 

 are under the protection of fome of their own countrymen, 

 who being fold when young as flaves, are brought up in 

 the Mahometan religion, and enjoy all the principal pofts 

 , Vol, II. B under 



