THE SOURCE OF THE NILE 249 
AGAIN, in point of language, there is a variety of tongues 
fpoken in the fecond divifion befides thatof Amhara. In Tigre, 
however, the feparation as to languages holds true, as there 
is no tongue known there but Geez, or that of the Shepherds. 
Masvau, in ancient times, was one of the principal places 
of refidence of the Baharnagath, who, when he was not there 
himfelf, conftantly left his deputy, or lieutenant. In fum- 
mer he refided for feveral months in the ifland of Dahalac, 
then .accounted part of his territory. He was, after the King 
and Betwudet, the perfon of the greateft confiderdtion in 
the kingdom, and was invefted with fendick and nagareet, 
the kettle-drum, and colours, marks of fupreme command. 
Masvau was taken, and ‘a bafha eftablifhed there foon 
‘after, as we have feen in the hiftory, in the reign of Menas, 
when the Baharnagafh, named Ifaac, confederated with the 
Turkifh bafha, and ceded to him a great territory, part of 
his own government, and with it Dobarwa, the capital of 
his province, divided only by the river Mareb from Tigré. 
From this time this office fell into difrepute in the king- 
dom. The fendick and nagareet, the marks of fupreme 
power, were taken from him, and he never was allowed a 
place in council, unlefs fpecially called on by the king. He 
preferves his privilege of being crowned with gold; but, 
when appointed, has a cloak thrown over him, the one fide 
white, the other a dark blue, and the officer who crowns 
him admonifhes him of what will befal him if he preferves 
his allegiance, which is fignitied by the white fide of the 
_ cloak; and the difgrace and punifhment that is to attend 
his treafon, and which has fallen upon his predeceflors, which 
lye figures to him by turning up the colour of mourning. 
Vou. IL. Bi BESIDES 
