ABYSSINIA. 



859 



miles, with a population of 2,000,000 inhabitants. The people are warlike and industrious. 

 Chelicut, the capital, has about 8,000 inhabitants. Jldoica, the principal commercial town, 

 has about the same number of inhabitants. Jlxum, once the capital of a powerful empire, now 

 contains a population of 3,000 souls, and there are many ruins, and remarkable edifices, in the 

 town and its vicinity. In the great square alone, there are 40 obelisks, some of which are 

 remarkable for their dimensions. 



On the western side of the Taccazze, is a colony of Jews, called Falashas, or exiles, whose 

 ancestors fled to this country, from the victorious arms of Nebuchadnezzar ; they preserved 

 their independence until 1800, when they fell under the dominion of Tigre. 



The Kingdom of Gondar comprises the central part of Abyssinia. Gondar^ the chief 

 town, has from 30,000 to 40,000 inhabitants. The Kingdom of Jlnkobtr comprises the rich 

 est and most fertile provinces of Abyssinia ; but, like Gondar, is now governed by the G alias. 

 The Kingdom of Jlmhara is also now in the hands of the Gallas. 



8. Agriculture. The common article of agriculture is a grain, called ieff, which grows in 

 almost every soil, and is made into a bread, used in every part of the country, and from which 

 a sort of beer, called bouza, is prepared. Wheat is raised upon the mountains. The papy- 

 rus, which furnished the paper of the ancients, is produced here. The soil, along the banks 

 of the rivers, is uncommonly fertile. 



9. Commerce, Manufactures, &c. Cotton cloths are manufactured in large quantities, the 

 fine sort at Gondar, and the coarse at Adowa. The manufactures of iron and brass are con- 

 siderable ; the metals are procured from Sennaar, Wolcayt, and Berbera. Some leather and 

 parchment is also made. The exports are gold, ivory, honey, slaves, and rhinoceros' bones. 

 The foreign commerce is transacted chiefly at Masuah, a port on the Red Sea. This town 

 acknowledges the sovereignty of the Grand Signor. 



10. Inhabitants. The Abyssinians are in general well made, and, though nearly black, they 

 have neither the nose, lips, nor hair of the negroes. They are considered to be of Asiatic 

 origin, and to be nearly related to the Arabs ; and the Amharic and Gheez languages, which 

 are spoken in Ankober, Amhara, Tigre, and other States, bear a considerable resemblance to 

 the Arabic. They are superior to most African nations, and their manufactures of carpets, 

 parchments, iron, and brass ware, leather, &c., show a good deal of skill. They have, also, 

 authors, and even painters. The Abyssinians are Christians of the Greek church ; the priests 

 are not well informed ; nor are the people, in general, well instructed in ine principles of the 

 Christian religion ; but the sacraments of baptism, and the Lord's supper, are administered in 

 a decorous manner, and the ceremonies are conducted with much decency. Polygamy is com- 

 monly practised, and the secular clergy are allowed to marry once. The Jews, who form a 

 considerable class, settled here in remote ages, and have nearly lost the Hebrew language. 

 They are considered as sorcerers, and it is believed, that they can transform themselves into 

 hya3nas. They are generally smiths, weavers, and carpenters. 



The Abyssinians dwell in round hovels, with conical roofs, to conduct oft' the heavy rains. 

 The children go naked, till the age of 15- The common dress is a loose one, of cotton cloth. 

 The various grains supply a chief article of food, and the savage gayety of a feast is heightened 

 by draughts of hydromel, tinctured with opium. At the feasts, beef is eaten in its raw state, 

 swimming in blood. The soldiers, in a march, cut slices from the thighs of the catlle, cover- 

 ing the place over with skin, and drive them on. It does not seem to be certain, that, at the 

 common feasts, it is usual to cut the steaks in this manner, from the living animal, though it is 

 recently killed. The great lords are fed by servants. 



The manners and customs are those of a barbarous people. Their religion is mixed with 

 Jewish practices. Circumcision is practised, and the Jewish and Christian sabbaths are ob- 

 served. Saints, angels, and especially the Virgin Mary, are objects of worship, and there is 

 a belief in transubstantiation, points derived from the Portuguese. The Abyssinian bible con- 

 tains an additional book, called the book of Enoch. The priests are permitted to marry. It 

 will be perceived, that the religion is Christian, rather nominally, than practically. There are 

 several negro tribes in Abyssinia, who have preserved their independence. Although speak- 

 ing distinct languages, they are all called Shangallas, by the Abyssinians. Some of them live 

 part of the year in caves, and the remainder under the trees, feeding upon locusts, serpents, 

 &c. They are hunted like wild beasts by the Abyssinians, and there are many Shangalla 

 slaves in Tigre and Gondar. 



The Gnllas are a brown race, noted for iheir ferocity and deep barbarity. Some of them 



