MUGGULLAH. 67 
Ballambarras, or master of the bread department, the Baharnegash 
of Dixan, the Ghief of Debib, who was in waiting, and many others 
of equal authority. There were four changes of guests at the table, 
and three large jars of maize were emptied, each of which contained 
at least half a hogshead. I was prevailed upon by the Ras to eat a 
small portion of brinde, and am satisfied that it is merely prejudice 
which deters us from this food. The priests of the neighbouring 
churches were fed first, and all did justice to the brinde and maize. 
" The Ras pointed out to me two Falasha, or Jews, who came in 
during the feast, and afterwards politely sent them to the house 
where I lodged, that I might ask them what questions I pleased. 
I procured from them, however, but little information. They ac- 
knowledge no king, except the sovereign of the country, the line of 
Gideon being extinct. They told me that they were very numerous 
at Gondar, and in the provinces of Knara and Samen, and that 
their chief employment consisted in building and thatching houses. 
They have not any books of consequence except at Gondar, and 
those are of no great antiquity. They pretend to have entered the 
country in the time of Memileh. 
" I was afterwards visited by Debib of Negashe, who came to so- 
licit presents for his attention to us on the road, Gaptain Rudland 
had just arrived from Antalow, and was eating some mutton that 
had been provided by our guide ; Debib joined him with much 
satisfaction in the consumption of the joint, during which I gained 
from him the following intelligence. He commanded a very consi- 
derable extent of country, containing at least thirty villages, for 
which he paid to the Ras one hundred and fifty wakeas of gold, 
twenty oxen, and as many skins of honey, besides one matchlock ; 
VOL. HI. K 
