64* MAVELS IN ABYSSINIA* 
calling themselves Christians, scarcely differed 
from the heathens, unless in name. Their 
houses were fitter for wild beasts than men, the 
walls being chiefly of mud, the roof of cane and 
reeds, and the whole fabric supported by a 
wooden pillar standing in the centre of the hut. 
In passing through Tigre, they found the coun- 
try dreadfully laid waste by a Turkish invasion. 
They came then to the residence of the emperor, 
where the Abuna was received with great pomp, 
and our traveller admitted to the honour of kiss- 
ing the sovereign's garment. 
Baratti's intimacy with the Abyssinian clergy, 
consequent upon his connexion with the Abuna, 
procured to him a view of the place where the 
princes are confined. It was shewn to him by 
the bishop of Amhara. It is a strong castle, 
about two miles in circumference, containing 
gardens and walks beautifully watered by artifi-* 
cial fountains, which maintain a perpetual ver- 
dure. The place appeared to him as delicious as 
any he had ever beheld. The princes cannot 
quit it unless in company with their governors ; 
and they can in no case leave the mountain, 
which is approachable only by a narrow pass 
carefully guarded. He saw the library, compos^ 
ed of ten thousand manuscript volumes, some of 
which he was told were the most ancient books 
in the world, being written by the Egyptian 
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