34 
CHELICUT. 
was covered with glass to preserve it, was executed in a style 
superior to the generality of eastern paintings. The Infant Christ 
was placed in one instance in the left hand of his mother, and in 
another in her right. 
" In the outer circle of the church was suspended a very hand- 
some glass chandelier, presented to the Ras by the SherifFe of Mecca, 
From the church we were taken to the store-room, to view the rich 
vestments and furniture of the officiating priests, which were of great 
beauty. Among other articles were eleven mitres of pure silver in- 
laid with gold, two dresses of black velvet richly studded with silver, 
a large silver drum hooped with gold, besides a rich Venetian cloth 
very handsomely embroidered. The priests seemed to have much 
pleasure in shewing us their wealth, and afterwards conducted us 
to the Ras's garden, which, though in a very wild state, and over- 
grown with grass, was enriched with many valuable fruit trees, as 
oranges, citrons, pomegranates, and bananas, most of which, from 
their names being evidently derived from Arabic, I supposed to have 
been originally brought from Arabia. 
" Chelicut is the residence of Azoro Mantwaub, one of the Ras's 
wives; she is a daughter of Ayto Ischias, and sister to the present 
king. She was extremely polite in her attentions to us, sent us many 
flattering messages, and provided our table with plenty of curry and 
maize. Notwithstanding the great attention paid to us, we had much 
difficulty in procuring provision and maise (though we at last ac- 
complished it) for our friend Subagadis, who had not presumed to 
come near the Ras's house ; nor did the villagers even dare to furnish 
him with a house, though the weather was very inclement, for fear 
of displeasing his brother Thadoo, who was said to be in great favour 
