THE SOURCE‘OF THE NILE 207, 
Wise men faw the fallen ftate of literature among them ; 
and unlefs opportunity was given, from time to time, for 
their priefts to go abroad to Jerufalem for their inftruction, 
and for the purpofe of bringing the Abuna, Tecla Haima- 
nout knew that very foon no fet of people would. be more 
fhamefully ignorant than thofe priefts, even in the moft 
common dogmas of their profeflion. He hoped therefore, by a 
confiderable ftipend, to tempt fome men of learning to ac- 
cept of this place, to give his countenance to learning and: 
religion among them. 
Tue Arabic canon”, which is preferved by the Abyffinian 
church, and faid to be of the council of Nice, fhould certain- 
ly be attributed to this Abuna, and is a forgery in, or very 
foon after, his time; for it is plain this canon took place 
about the year 1300, that it was lawful to elect an Abuna, 
who was a native of Aby/flinia before this prohibition, other- 
wife it would not have applied. Abuna Tecla Haimanout- 
was an Abyflinian by birth, and he was Abuna; the prohi- 
bition: therefore had not then.taken place: but, as no A+ 
byflinian was afterwards chofen, it muft certainly be a work: 
of his time, for it is impoffible a canon fhould be made by 
the council of Nice, fettling the rank of a bifhop in a na- 
tion which, for above 200. years after that general council, . 
were not Chriftians. 
As the Abuna very feldom underftands the language, he> 
has no fhare of the government, but goes to the palace on 
days of ceremony, or when he has any favour to afk or:com- 
plaint 
* See Ludolf, lib. iii, cap. 2.. N°. 17.,. 
