102 
ADOWA. 
and I was introduced to the lady, who was expecting me, with a 
large party of her friends and attendants. She was seated at the upper 
end of the room, on a handsome couch placed in a recess, which 
was divided off by an undrawn curtain, with the lower part of her 
face covered. I made a drawing of the Ozoro, which, I can assure 
the reader, gives an accurate delineation of the costume of a lady 
of her rank, although it has no resemblance to the fancy figures 
given in the last edition of Bruce, as Abyssinian princesses. She 
gave me a most gracious reception ; and, as far as the absence of my 
interpreter (who was sick) would allow me to understand them, the 
visit was perfectly agreeable. What was wanting in conversation, 
was made up in laughing, joking, and drinking; for the lady most 
urgently plied us all with maize, taking at the same time an equal 
portion herself. She was not so great a beauty as Bruce's princess, 
being dark in complexion, though of very pleasant manners. 
" September 20. — As I wished to procure a few articles for Lord 
Valentia at this place, being extremely doubtful whether we should 
get any at Antalow, I had determined to stay another day at Adowa. 
Judging from the rale at which we made our purchases, I should con- 
clude every thing to be exceedingly dear in this place ; but I rather 
suppose that we were buying through a dear channel, as our guide 
was the only person whom we could employ, and he no doubt made 
us pay handsomely for his trouble. 
" Early in the morning I took a sketch of part of the city of 
Adowa, and the hills, from a small loft in front of the Ras's house. 
The view itself has not much to recommend it, but the effects of the 
morning sun were extremely fine, throwing into happy obscurity 
the wretched mansions of which the whole capital consists. 
