CHELICUT. 33 
large stones with which they are incumbered were removed ; but 
this the inhabitants are too idle or ignorant to undertake, even on 
the flat land ; so that it is with the greatest difficulty that they are 
able to plough it. After descending a steep pass, from which we 
had a full view of the hill of Antalow, we arrived at the village of 
Chelicut, where we were accommodated in a house belonging to 
the Ras, built on a beautiful spot close to the borders of a stream. 
We were at this place treated with more than usual ceremony and 
respect, and were informed that the Ras had ordered the greatest 
attention to be paid to our wishes. In the afternoon we were taken 
out to visit the ehurch, attended by a multitude of priests, all 
handsomely cloathed in white. On entering the first gate-way, 
they requested us to take off our shoes and hats, with which we 
immediately complied. I was somewhat surprized to see that the 
Mussulmauns were permitted to enter into the first circular avenue. 
A sufficiently accurate idea of the whole building may be formed, 
by imagining three concentric circular walls covered with a thatched 
roof, surmounted by a ball and cross. The spaces between the two 
outer walls were open avenues ; the space included within the central 
one forms the body of the church. The walls were coated with 
whitish-red plaister, ornamented with gilding, and covered with 
representations of Noah and the Ark, Christ and the Virgin Mary, 
the Apostles, the martyrdom of the saints, many extravagant 
designs taken from the prophecies, and St. George fighting the 
dragon. This latter saint seems to be the national favourite, and 
every where makes a most conspicuous figure upon his white horse. 
The colouring of all these figures was very gaudy, but some of 
ihem, particularly one picture of the Virgin Mary, the face of which 
