TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
it. The secretary stated two objections ; first, 
the vast and " infinite" number of persons thus 
at once admitted within the pale of the church ; 
next, the total absence of clothing on the part of 
those newly created priests, there not being even 
such a portion as the most common decency re- 
quired. The Prete replied, that as to number, 
much apology was necessary for its being so 
small, there being usually not less than five or six 
thousand on such an occasion : The Abuna not 
having been expected at this time, had caused so 
very thin an attendance. With regard to the de- 
ficiency of dress, he allowed, on reflection, that 
this arrangement was not very decorous, and ex- 
pressed his intention of amending it in future. 
The next ceremony consisted in the ordination 
of clerks. There was here no examination, as 
persons of every age, and even a number of in- 
fants, were admitted. Amid these candidates for 
clerical dignity, there was a continued lamenta- 
tion, " like the crying of so many young kids,'* 
on account of the mothers being absent, and their 
being left a whole day without suck. The cere- 
monies were here various, but the principal con- 
sisted in pulling out a tuft of hair from the fore- 
head. The most hazardous part of the operation 
was the swallowing of the host, which, consisting 
of coarse dough, could scarcely, though accom- 
