DISSERTATION ON THE 
" Abyssinia is a corruption of the Arabic word Habesh, signify- 
ing * convena.' This name has been invariably used by the Arabians, 
though adopted in modern times only by the Abyssinians, who pre- 
fer that of their different provinces, as Amharians, Tigrians, or 
the more general one of Cashtam (Christians), of which they are 
extremely proud, and which generally was the first word they 
addressed to us on our entering the country, accompanying it by 
laying hold of a blue silk string round their necks, which is with 
them the indisputable proof of their being entitled to the appella- 
tion. In their books they are styled Ethiopians, sons of Ethiopia, 
Agazi, and Axomians; by a similar name to which (Axomites) 
they w^ere alone designated among the Romans. Many authors, 
particularly Luddlf,* a writer who has entered very deeply into 
their history, have supposed them to have passed over from Arabia ; 
but to this there are many objections, for I do not recollect any 
instance of a nation having sent back settlers to its mother country; 
yet we have an account in Procopius, of a band of the Axomites, 
on invading Arabia, having been so pleased with it, that they gave 
up their own country, and continued there. + It appears more 
probable from the general tenor of their history, that they w^ere 
refugees from Egypt, who conquered, and mingled with, the abo- 
rigines of the country ; else, from what source could they derive 
their veneration for the Nile, of the consequence of which, in Abys- 
sinia, they could form no idea? Whence their style of building, so 
totally different from any in Arabia? Or their written character, 
which is as essentially different from that of the antient Cufic? The 
* Vide his Comment. 58, 59- 
f Vide Procopius de Bello Persico, Lib. I. c. xix. Paris, MDCLXII. 
