DIXAN. 
505 
we visited. It is a place of a mean appearance, with a conical 
thatched roof, and mud walls. On entering the door of the inclo- 
sure (A) the boys who conducted us kissed the door posts: and 
we, in conformity to their customs, pulled off our shoes and hats, 
on entering the door of the building itself (B). The inner building 
was shut. The aisle that surrounded it (c c) was strewn with 
rushes ; and on the walls were painted rude figures in glaring 
colours, of St. George and St. Haimonout on horseback, with spears, 
and various other strange figures in as many strange postures. The 
priests bear large keys in their hands, like that which the painters 
place in the hand of St. Peter. The natives all appear fond of crosses. 
The Baharnegash was highly pleased with one given to him by 
Captain Rudland. Most of the Christians here have a cross marked 
upon their breast, or their right arm, or forehead, which, with a 
blue silk string round their necks, they seem to think indispensable 
badges of their religion. They kiss every thing that has the least 
claim to sanctity or respect, a strong instance of which was the 
Baharnegash's kissing the letter which I delivered to him for the 
Ras's Secretary, Bashaw Abdalla 
" The people whom I have hitherto seen, with few exceptions, 
are idle, ignorant, and dirty; they are of a very dark complexion, 
few having a claim to the appellation of copper-coloured, given 
them by Bruce. It is usual for them to say prayers over every 
thing they eat, drink, receive, or give away, concluding the cere- 
mony with blowing upon it, in the same way as a conjuror does on 
his balls. 
" In these prayers they always turn the face to the east, as they 
turn the heads of the animals which they kill to the west. They 
