poncet's journey, 71 
market was held daily in an open square, in the 
centre of the city. There was also a slave mar- 
ket in the square before the palace. An exten- 
sive trade was carried on by way of Saquem, 
(Suakem), on the Red Sea. The exports were 
ivory, tamarinds, civet, gold dust, &c. ; the im- 
ports very various, chiefly spices, hardware, toys, 
particularly a species of black beads made at 
Venice. 
Our traveller, for what reason we know not, 
spent three months at Sennaar, during which time 
he was treated with the greatest honours. It 
then appeared time to proceed on his destination. 
He was delayed nineteen days at Geasim, (Gie- 
sim). Here the plain terminating, and the coun- 
try rising into mountains, they were obliged to 
sell all their camels, as unfit for travelling over 
rough and uneven ground. After passing for 
some days through vast groves of tamarind trees, 
they arrived at Serka, the frontier town of Abys- 
sinia. The route lay now over mountains, culti- 
vated to the summit, and covered with fine trees 
unknown to Europe. On the road Father Breve- 
dent died, an event deeply lamented by Poncet, 
who, besides various other eminent qualities, 
ascribes to him the gift of prophecy, and the 
power of working miracles. On the 21st July 
}ie arrived at Gondar, and the very next day re- 
ceived a private visit from the emperor, whom 
