TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
where the goods are daily exposed on mats. The 
current specie consists of gold and salt. 
Poncet was prevented by accident from visiting 
the sources of the Nile, but gives an account of 
them from report, nearly similar to that of Lobo. 
His view of the political state of the country also 
differs in no material respect from that of other 
travellers. Finding his health injured by the cli- 
mate, he determined, notwithstanding the urgent 
entreaties of the emperor, to return to Egypt. He 
went by the common track through Tigre, so that 
little of novelty occurs in the remainder of his jour- 
ney. He embarked at Messua (Massuah) on the 
28th October 1699. 
After the time of Poncet, a long period elapsed 
without any journey deserving of notice being un- 
dertaken into Abyssinia. That country became 
almost forgotten in Europe, when it was again 
brought into view by the exertions of one indivi- 
dual, Mr Bruce. This new traveller embarked in 
the dangerous enterprise, without any motives of 
fanaticism or ambition, but solely to promote his 
own reputation and the interests of science. His 
journey formed the first in a series made with 
this enlightened and liberal view, into the interior 
of this vast continent. After his consulship at Al- 
giers, Mr Bruce seems to have determined upon 
undertaking some important expedition, though he 
