M ASSO WA. 
manuscript ; the original word, translated serpents, having 
perhaps been descriptive of the iron* stones" mentioned by 
Tellez, which were like the dross that comes from the furnaces, 
and so sharp-pointed, that they spoilt a pair of shoes in a day/' 
An important error in Lobo likewise occurs in the spelling of the 
name of the mountain, over which lies the pass to Abyssinia. It 
is rightly spelt by Tellez, Sanafe ; but in Le Grand, Senae, and 
in the English translation, Senaa. Mr. Bruce, and his late 
editor, have unnecessarily gone out of their way to abuse 
this first literary effort of Dr. Johnson : but if it be considered 
only as an abridgment, which it is professed to be in the pre- 
face, it will be found to contain as judicious a selection of all 
that is valuable in Le Grand as could well be expected, with 
the very circumscribed knowledge of the geography of the 
country which then existed. 
An Abyssinian priest, named Ma-Merri Guebra Eyut, came 
down with the party from Abyssinia, who entertained an anxious 
wish to visit Jerusalem, from which intention I subsequently 
dissuaded him. He was a foolish good-natured fellow, though 
in some respects he afterwards proved of service, owing to his 
having gained, by his reputed sanctity, considerable influence 
over the minds of the people sent down by the Ras. 
I found Mr. Pearce, to my great surprise, very little altered in 
complexion, and be spoke English almost as perfectly as when 
I left him. It was truly gratifying to witness his raptures at 
finding himself once more among Englishmen, and in an English 
ship. In the fullness of his heart he seemed to consider every 
* Vide p. 226 of the Travels of the Jesuits. 
D d 
