within the circuit, there are always a great quantity of staves with
cross pieces like a ...[288] or cripple’s crutch, and each one takes
his staff and leans upon it as long as he is at the offices of the
church. In the churches there are many effigies painted on the walls.
Effigies of our Lord and our Lady, and of the apostles and patriarchs,
and prophets and angels, and in all the churches St. George. They have
not got solid images. There are many books in the churches all written
on parchment, because there is no paper there, and the writing and
language is Tigray,[289] which is that of the first country in which
Christianity began.
In this country they are not accustomed to write to one another,
neither do the officers of justice write anything. All the justice that
is done, and what is ordered, is by messengers and speech. I say only
that I saw the property of Prester John written down on being delivered
up and received.
There would be much fruit and much more tillage in the country, if the
great men did not ill treat the people, for they take what they have,
and they do not choose to provide more than what they require and is
necessary for them.
In no part that he went about in were there butchers’ shops, except
at the Court, and no person of the common people may kill a cow (even
though it is his own) without leave from the lord of the country.
The people speak the truth little, even when they make oath, unless
they swear by the head of the King. They much fear excommunication, and
if they are ordered to do something, and that it be to their prejudice,
they do it from fear of excommunication.
The oath is administered in this manner. They go to the door of the
church with two priests, and they have there incense and embers, and
he who has to swear puts his hands upon the church door, and one the
priests tells him of the oath to speak the truth, and that if he speaks
falsely, that as the lion swallows his prey in the woods, so may his
soul be swallowed by the devil; and as the wheat is broken between the
stones, so may his bones be ground by the devils; and he who swears, at
each thing answers Amen; and as the fire burns wood, so may your soul
be burned in the fire of hell and made dust. He says Amen. And this
if you do not speak truth; he says Amen. And if you speak truth, may
your life be prolonged with honour, and your soul in paradise with the
blest. He says Amen. And this ended, he gives his testimony.
He says that the movable feasts, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, are
celebrated on the same days and seasons that we celebrate them. The
birth of Christ, Circumcision, Epiphany, and other feasts of saints
also agree with us, and others not. The year and months begin on the
29th day of August, on which was the beheading of St. John, and the
year is of twelve months, and the month of thirty days. When the year
is ended, there are five days over, which they call pagomen, which
means fulfilment of the year, and in the bissextile year there are six
days over; so they keep with us.
He says that during all Passion week they are dressed in black or blue,
and do not speak to one another for grief, saying that Judas by a kiss
of peace betrayed his Lord.
Although there are in the churches effigies painted on all the walls,
and also crosses, nevertheless on no cross is a crucifix painted,
neither have they any of solid carving; because they say they are
not deserving to see Christ crucified. All the priests, friars, and
gentlemen carry crosses in their hands, both on foot and on horseback;
and the laymen of the people and lower people carry crosses round their
necks. Every priest and friar carries a little horn of copper with
holy water, and the hosts where they arrive beg of them water and a
blessing, and they give it. Before they eat they throw drops of water
on the food, and also in the drinking vases.
Their arms are assagays, few swords, a few shirts of mail, long and
narrow; our Portuguese say that they are not of good mail.
There are many bows and arrows, they have no feathers like ours; there
are very few helmets and casques. Those that there are have come since
they have had intercourse with the Portuguese. There are plenty of
strong bucklers; there are no cannon, except two swivel guns which we
brought them. At our departure there were fourteen muskets at Court,
which they bought from the Turks who come there to trade. The Prester
ordered whatever they asked to be given for them, and ordered men to be
taught to shoot.
There are trumpets, but not good ones; there are many drums of copper
which come from Cairo, and others of wood which have leather on both
sides; there are tambourines like ours, and large cymbals which they
sound. There are flutes and some instruments with chords, square like
harps, which they call David moçanquo, which means the harp of David.
They play these to the Prester, and not well.
In this country there are in some parts very flat lands, and in others
mountainous; and altogether they are fruitful lands. There are no snowy
ranges, but withal severe frosts, especially in the flat lands. In all
the lands there is great breeding of cattle.
He says that he did not see the river Nile, and he reached to two days’
journey from it, and the days’ journey which they went were small ones,
namely, four or five leagues, a little more or less. But some of those
in his company reached its source, and they say that it rises in the
Kingdom of Gojame, and its source is in great lakes, and where it rises
there are islands, and thence it commences its course and goes to Egypt.
The time when the Nile rises in Egypt is (as they say) from the 15th
day of September and later, and in all October; and the reason of this
is, because the winter of Ethiopia begins from the middle of June to
the middle of September, and on account of the great rains which take
place in it without this winter ever changing, the Nile overflows in
Egypt at that time.
It is the general custom of Prester John and all the people for no man
on horseback to pass a church, but before they reach it they dismount,
and so pass it, and lead their beasts by the bridles, and after passing
they mount.
When Prester John and all his people travel, the altar and the altar
stone on which mass is said, all goes on the shoulders of the priests
as on a litter, and there go eight priests with each altar by turns,
that is, four and four: and a priest goes in front of them with a
thurible, and further in front a zagonay ringing a bell, and all the
people go away from the road, and those that are on horses dismount,
and show reverence to the altar stone or altar.
There is no grape wine there, more than in two houses, where it is made
publicly, namely, in the house of Prester John and the house of the
Patriarch Abima Marcos; and if any other is made, it is secretly. The
wine with which mass is said in all the churches and monasteries is
made in this manner. They take raisins which they have stored in the
sacristies and they put them to soak in water for ten days, and they
swell, and they let them dry, and they crush them and press them in a
cloth, and with that wine which comes out they say mass.[290]
The horses, natives of the country of Prester John, are many and not
good, for they are like Gallician beasts; those which come from Arabia
are very good, like Moorish horses; those from Egypt are much better,
very tall and big and handsome. Many lords breed horses from the mares
they get from Egypt in their stables. In this manner, namely, when they
are born, they do not suck the mother more than three days, and they at
once put the mares to the horses[291]; and they tie up the little colts
somewhat apart from the mothers, and they keep for them many milch
cows, and give them their milk to drink.
DEO GRATIAS.
[Illustration:
MAP OF PART
OF
ABYSSINIA
to illustrate the journey of
FATHER FRANCISCO ALVAREZ
A.D. 1520]
INDEX.
GENERAL INDEX.
Abima Mark, 255
Abyssinia long without an Abima, 253
Account of Pero de Covilham, 265, 270
Antiquities at Axum, 81, 83
Apes, 69
Baptism, 48, 49, 217, 240, 243
Betudete, 52, 168, 326, 328
Birds, 51
Bisan, arrival at, 18;
description of, 32, 33;
departure from, 38
Burial, 50
Canons, 63, 139
Church services, 23, 31
---- for women, 55
---- of Holy Trinity, 155, 233, 236
Churches, old, 75
---- near Axum, 87
---- St. George, 95, 156, 228, 229
---- cut out of the rock, 122, 130
---- of the Queen Mother, 237
Circumcision, 48, 246
Clergy, gathering of, 234
Consecration of church of the Trinity, 256
Conversation on Bible history, 136
---- church matters, 188, 193, 201, 225, 226, 254, 261, 262
---- about carpets, 258;
about interpreters, 259
Court churches, 219
Cows, fine breed of, 104, 331
Cultivation, 35, 106, 139, 163
Dagusha grain, 102
Defiles, 158, 159, 160, 228, 341
Dress of the people, 77, 92
Embassy, arrival at Massowah, 3, 4;
departure from Arquico, 11;
presents sent with, 10, 179, 197, 239;
selection of, 9, 10;
assaulted with stones, 134;
good reception of by Ras of Angot, 135, 137;
received by the Prester, 166–170, 180–183, 184–186, 202, 211;
difficulties of, 173, 194, 196, 199;
present to, of a church tent, 195;
of a chalice, 198;
of dresses of honour, 211;
mass of, 199–201;
quarrels of, 213–215, 276, 277, 278, 282;
preparations for departure, 272, 275, 301, 355;
brought back to Court, 283;
departure, 356, 363;
return to Portugal, 382;
reception by Diogo Lopes de Sequeira, 385;
reception by the King, 386–388
Escape of a Prince from the mountain, 147
Epiphany Play, 241
Flogging, 145, 146, 157, 319, 320
Franks in Ethiopia, 174, 175, 177, 178
Friars, 62, 86, 96, 105, 289, 343
Game, abundance of, 67
Gold-washing, 85
Gratitude of a Portuguese to a Jew, 376
Happy valley, or mountain of the Princes, 140–144, 148, 149
Horse breeding, 412
Interview of Captain General, and the Barnagais, 8
---- of Don Rodrigo and the Barnagais, 42
Iron used for money, 117
Jews, 349
Journey from Lisbon to Coimbra, 382, 386
Justice, administration of, 64, 139, 279, 314, 316, 318, 333
King Abraham, 120
---- of Adea’s daughter, rejected on account of her large teeth, 110
King Lalibela, 122
Kingdom of Adea, 346
---- of Adel, 346
---- of Amazons, 318
Lakes, 151, 153, 154
Lent austerities, 285–288, 290
Lion, anecdote of, 52
Locusts, 67–72
Manuel, death of King, 299
Marriage, 46, 47
---- of priests, 56, 192
Maundy Thursday, 291
Memorial feast of St. Philip, 34, 35
Monasteries, description of, 21, 22, 88, 89, 90, 91, 118, 119,
162, 294
---- revenues, 36, 37
Moorish marauders, slaughter of, 107
Noble conduct of Hector da Silveira, 366
Nubians, 65
Nuns, 62
Officials sent by King Solomon, 353
Ordination, 248–252
Palm Sunday, 291
Prester, appearance of, 203;
attends the Portuguese church service, 221, 224;
battle with King of Adel, 304, 310;
mode of encampment, 331, 338;
mode of travelling, 218, 231, 233, 340;
shows himself to his people, 220;
reception of, 235;
requests for presents, 238, 239;
entertains the Portuguese, 244, 260, 298;
presents to Portuguese and Franks, 271, 273;
letter to Diogo Lopez de Sequeira, 368, 374;
writes to King of Portugal, 270, 274, 389, 400;
writes to the Pope, 313;
divides the inheritance of his mother, 304;
territories of, 350
Priests’ orders, 57, 247
Prison, 335
Queen of Adea, 323, 325
Questions of Archbishop of Braga, and replies to them, 401–412
Red Sea fortresses, plans for, 204
Remedies, Ethiopian, 164
Royal message, mode of receiving, 59
---- umbrellas, 230
Sacramental bread, how made, 28
---- wine, substitute for, 412
Saints in Ethiopia, 208
---- lives of, 209
Salt, used as money, 99, 117
St. Peter’s See, claims of, 190, 191, 206
Teff, grain, 32, 102
Tigray, 74
Tigrimahom, 73, 93, 329
Torrent, sudden rise of, 113
Translation of remains of King Nahum, 257
Tribute, 94, 131, 321, 322, 324
Visit of Alvarez to the Abima, 245
---- Don Rodrigo to the Abima, 263–5
Voyage of the Embassy to India, 364
---- down the Indian Coast, 377
---- from India, 378–381
Wealth of Portuguese monasteries, 262
Wrestling, 216
Yearly baptism, 240
NAMES OF PERSONS.
Ababitay, 45
Abdenago, 317, 330
Abraham, Rabbi, 268
Abreu, Jorge d’, 9, 100, 152, 198, 213, 272, 273, 275, 281, 284,
330
Alvarenga, 330
Alvarez, Francisco, 9, and _passim_
Ambiata, Arraz, 279, 329
Andrade, Lazaro d’, 9, 161, 215, 221
Balgada, Robel, 97, 98, 324, 329
Braga, Archbishop of, 401
Brancaliam, Nicolas, or Macoreo, 178, 210, 228, 254
Calçadilha, Licentiate, 267
Candace, Queen, 80
Carneiro, Antonio, 388
Catelam, Nicholas, 221
Cordoeiro, Pedro, 216
Covilham, Pero de, 177, 224, 254, 265–270, 289, 298, 303, 331, 350
Diz, Ayres, 216
Diaz, Fernan, 7
Dori, 47, 343
Escolar, Joam, 9, 17, 19, 38, 221, 288
Fernandez, Diogo, 330
Fernandez, Joam, 9, 276
Gabmaria, 216
Gabri, Andreas, 310
Galvan, Duarte, 3, 10, 182, 364, 377
---- Antonio, son of Duarte, 377, 379
Gama, Lopo da, 9, 141, 213
Gonzalvez, Joam, 9, 276
Gonzalvez, Francisco, 19
Gradani, Thomas, 178
Helena, Queen, 321
Joam, Mestre, 9, 18, 134
Lalibela, King, 122, 130
Lemos, Francisco de, 388
Lima, Rodrigo de, 9, 19, 383
Lopez, Pero, 9, 288
Mahfus, 304–310
Magalhaes, 273
D. Manuel, King, 267, 299
Mares, Manuel de, 9, 221
Mattheus, 8, 11, 13, 19, 171, 183, 240, 391
Mattheus, Francisco, 19
Masqual, Fray, 12
Mendez, Alonso, 9, 330
Meneses, Don Luis, 298, 314
Nahum, King, 148, 157, 257, 307, 310
Neto, Bras, 401
Paiva, Afonso de, 266
Palharte, Estevan, 9, 216, 277
Pereira, Gaspar, 9, 19
Piriz, Francisco, 388
Rafael, Ajaze, 212, 250
Robel, Balgada, 97
Romana, Orque, 47
Saldanha, Antonio de, 7
Sampayo, Lopo Vaz de, 367, 374
Sequeira, Diogo Lopez de, Viceroy, 3, 7, 311, 367, 385
Sheba, Queen of, 78, 353
Silveira, Hector da, 361, 366, 374
Soares, Lopo, Viceroy, 3, 310, 366
Teixeira, Pero Gomes, 7
Veiga, Tristan Vaz da, 378
Zagazabo, or, Alicacanate, 100, 315, 317, 354, 362, 366, 387
NAMES OF PLACES.
Aadete, 37
Abacinete, 90, 279, 283
Abafazem, 75
Abra, 156
Acel, 152
Adea, kingdom, 323, 325, 330, 346
Adel, kingdom, 327, 346
Alnayazare, 385
Amara, or Amhara, 150, 161, 234
Ancona, 131
Anda, 163
Anecheta, river, 159
Angote, 133, 150
Angua, 139
Angueha, 89
Ansiam, 385
Aquate, 72
Aquaxumo, or Axum, 78–83, 316
Arquico, 4, 11, 314, 361
Badabaxa, defile, 161
Barra, 41, 60, 284
Barua, 41, 45, 278, 284, 343, 356
Belete, 97
Bellonos, people, 352
Benacel, 99
Bisam, monastery, 5, 17, 18
Bogrimidi, kingdom, 144, 351
Botan, 384
Braga, 402
Brilibanos, or Dibra Libanos monastery, 161
Buno, kingdom, 81
Cafates, people, 349
Caina, 36
Campo do Bollan, 384
Cananor, 377, 378
Çernache, 385
Cochim, 377, 378
Coimbra, 386
Corcora, 99, 101
Dalaqua, 359
Damute, 99, 347
Dankali, kingdom, 345
Dangugui, 97
D’Antanhol, 386
Dara, 47, 289, 304, 311
Debra Libanos, 161
Dinguil, 361
Dobaa, 104, 108
Farso, 105, 108
Fartaque, kingdom, 375
Fatigar, kingdom, 302, 307
Fontouro, 384
Gamu, 347
Ganze, 347
Gavinhoe, 384
Gemaa, river, 160
Goa, 376
Gojam, kingdom, 322, 350
Golegan, 384
Gorage, country, 293, 347
Huaguida, mountain, 163
Ingabela, 132
Janamora, 112
Jangargara, 19
Kurbayra, 70
Lalibela, 122, 147
Magadoxo, 330
Manadel, 103, 277, 283
Mareb, river, 73
Mastanho, 139
Masua, or Massowah, 3, 6
Maskat, 365
Mountain of the Princes, 140–144
Orgabija, kingdom, 330
Ormuz, 367
Oyja, kingdom, 327, 347
Penacova, 384
Ponte d’Almonda, 383
Sabalete, 115
Santarem, 383
San Martinho, 386
Seruel, 41
Sequete, 47
St. Helena, island, 379
Suakem, 311, 343, 353
Tabaguy, district, 163
Temei, 66, 72
Terceira, island, 380
Xoa, or Shoa, 42, 161
Zalote, 40
Zeila, 310
ANTIQUATED PORTUGUESE WORDS AND TERMS.
Matos idiabrados, 14
Meijoada, 15, 159, 343
Em chacota, 23
Oussia, 24
Azorague, 42
Envorilhado, 50
Asombrar a terra, 51
Desordenado, 57
Sobarbava, 79
Mancal, 84, 167
Estrevimento, 98
Valuras, 103, 158
Maotente, 103
Fueiros, 119
Cunheiras, 121
Espelhos, 125
Revindo, 126, 128, 287
A pe quedo, 132
Preguntas d’estrada, 135
Salsa de Palmela, 137
Era a rodo, 137
Reguengnos, 149
Boinhos, 150
Bregios, 156
Jogo de malham, 159, 167
Desviados, 165
Mosseos, 167
Sonaves, 181
Cofos, 185
Pelote de usteda, 187
Ceroules, 188
Cervilhas, 188
Bouçaes, 200
Vivos, 216
Enxarafas, 232
Comeeira, 244, 260, 337
En cocras, 247
Alambeis, 266
Releixo, 287
Hopa, 296
Humiziados, 297
Menuta, 314
Escodilhinas, 332
Moucho, 333
Sem tresposta, 336
Cerolho, 340
Revezado, 343
De mao em mao, 365
Impidosa, 384
T. RICHARDS, PRINTER, 37, GREAT QUEEN STREET.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] See the _St. James’s Gazette_. Criticism of Mr. Justin
McCarthy’s language, October 29th, published since the above was
written.
[2] _Sic._
[3] Or “of the Vision”, according to some.
[4] Caspar Correa says it was a breviary on parchment, and describes a
picture contained in it on paper which had come from Jerusalem or Rome.
[5] Gaspar Correa says that at this leave-taking the Portuguese sounded
their trumpets and drums and the fleet saluted, and a ball from a camel
gun made three rebounds amongst the men of the Barnegaes, without
hitting anyone. The Governor sent to ask pardon of him, saying it was a
mistake of the bombardier. The Barnegaes answered that no one was safe
unless God pleased, and that the ball had done no one any harm.
[6] Gaspar Correa says of the Embassy that Don Rodrigo de Lima was a
man of good presence, and a fit man for such a service; that Jorge
d’Abreu, the second person of the Embassy, was a very well dressed
gentleman; that Francisco Alvarez was a very prudent man, and well
informed in all matters of the altar and divine services; that Estevan
Palharte was a good fencer; the three Portuguese who accompanied
Mattheus were Miguel Fernandez, Diogo Tatys, and João d’Alvarenga, all
men skilful in manual arts, and who could sing at mass, for which the
priest carried rich ornaments and all that was necessary, and irons for
making wafers.
[7] Anta.
[8] “Matos idiabrados”, not in Bluteau.
[9] Meijoada, not in Bluteau.
[10] Oporto.
[11] Alosna.
[12] _Como em chacola_, dancing and singing, _i.e._, not
reverentially.
[13] _Como quem anda per mãos diante da imagem._ According to the
Spanish translation of Miguel de Salves. Saragossa, 1561.
[14] _Oussia._
[15] Under a canopy.
[16] _Symam._
[17] By threes.
[18] Mansfield Parkins calls it teff, the species of corn most esteemed
in this country.
[19] Zamboa, not referred to in Selves’ translation.
[20] Should be _teskar_.
[21] _Castar_ should be _Teskar_; Mansfield Parkyns calls it
a sort of funereal feast, where charities are bestowed on the poor and
the priests.
[22] _Couto_, an asylum, an enclosure; _celeiro_, a granary.
[23] _Zagonaes._ Ethiopian corruption of _diakonos_.
[24] _Dibarua_, hillock seen from afar.
[25] _Bait en-negus._
[26] _Azorague_, a kurbach, or whip of hide, _cravache_.
[27] A Portuguese measure equal to about three pints.
[28] _Padrinho._
[29] Shoa.
[30] _Rumană Wark_, the golden pomegranate.
[31] This opinion of the Abyssinians appears to have anticipated the
Sorbonne judgment of 1733, given in the 20th chapter of _Tristram
Shandy_.
[32] _Crisma._
[33] _Envorilhados_ for _enrodilhados_.
[34] _Adens_ and _marrecas_.
[35] _No las assombram a terra_: perhaps this means with a paper
kite. This passage is omitted in Selve’s translation.
[36] _Cevado_, literally, allured.
[37] The favourite or preferred, _Bitwaddad_, because he was liked.
[38] _Ar-ras._
[39] Mount Sinai.
[40] _Foy desordenado e feito leigo_; not a correct expression.
[41] A gold coin in some parts of Africa.
[42] _Bechugarias._
[43] _Zafoens_ or _Safoens_.
[44] _Tufas._
[45] Nubians.
[46] Dafilla.
[47] _Igzio maranna Kristos, Amharic._
[48] The Latin text of a similar excommunication of noxious animals was
given in the _Pall Mall Gazette, or Times_, in 1879.
[49] Kurbayra.
[50] _Tigri mahom_, should be _Tigri măkuănăm_.
[51] “Where”, should be “here”; this river, the Mareb, not the Nile,
separates the country of the Barnagais from that of Tigré.
[52] This and other passages show that some of the churches in
Abyssinia, which are sometimes called Portuguese churches by
travellers, are anterior to the Portuguese.
[53] _Sic._
[54] This passage appears to have been inserted here by some error of
the printer, and to belong to some other chapter.
[55] _Pontões._
[56] _Sobarbava._
[57] Pliny says Candace was the name of many Queens, as Pharaoh was of
the Kings of Egypt.
[58] Mansfield Parkyns calls it a sycamore tree, and says it is
remarkable for the extraordinary circumference of its trunk and the
great spread of its branches, which cast their shade over such a space
of ground as would be sufficient for the camp of the largest caravan.
[59] Mansfield Parkyns thus describes it: “The principal obelisk is
carved on the south side, as if to represent a door, windows, cornices,
etc.”
[60] _Mancal_, an unknown game, antiquated in the reign of Don
Manuel; the translation of Selves calls it a _juego de herradura_.
“Baton ferré des deux bouts”.--Roquette’s _Dict._
[61] Arouca, a town in the bishopric of Lamego.
[62] _Nebrete_, _i.e._, _Nabrĭd_, imposed by hand, the title of the
Governor of Axum.
[63] _Maabar_ or _Mahabar_, a club, gathering.
[64] _Feitos igoaes_; the Selves translation has, _las camas
hechas, y por cubrir_.
[65] _Abacinete_, _i.e._, _Amba Sanete_, name of a hill.
[66] _Estefarruz_ is probably a misprint of Alvarez for _Estefanuz_, or
Stephen.
[67] _i.e._, Fillets.
[68] Maluk.
[69] Or _Kyriakos_.
[70] _Gada_ is an expedition sent from the highlands to collect
the salt, _Băal_ means master or chief; _Băalgada_ is a title
given to the chiefs of those expeditions, and is a title still used in
Ethiopia, like Duke or Count.
[71] _Estrevimento_, antiquated.
[72] The drachm of gold; that is, the salt increases in value.
[73] _Dagusa_ (_Eleusine tocusso_), used for bread, but more for
brewing beer. Mansfield Parkyns says (vol. i, p. 265): “very little
‘teff’ is grown in this neighbourhood, but chiefly millet (_mashéla_)
and _dagousha_”.
[74] _Valuras._
[75] _Maotente._
[76] _Igzio maranna kristos._
[77] _Nug_ (_Guizotia oleifera_), _Pampilhos_, a plant like _olho de
boy_.
[78] _Apodavam._
[79] _Cătăma_, a camp.
[80] Or Caravan of merchants.
[81] Conquest here means maintaining the struggle, or the duty of
conquering. Whilst the Moors were still unconquered in the south of
Spain, certain parts of their territory were said to belong to the
Conquest of Castile, others to the Conquest of Aragon.
[82] _Poçoncha._
[83] Twenty-six almudes make a pipe.
[84] Both these towns of Corcora are in the modern maps.
[85] _Por amor de unas sierras._
[86] _Gabya._
[87] _Esparto._
[88] _Yĭkun amlak_, may he be Lord.
[89] This passage is not very clear. Selves translates: “the church
lies to the east, and the Epistle is said at the west”.
[90] _Fueiros_, projections over the sides of a cart to enable it
to carry more load, side rails, wings, thripples, shelvings.
[91] _Terza_, nine o’clock.
[92] _Cunheiras_, not in the dictionaries, possibly for wedge
marks.
[93] _Palmo_, measure of four inches.
[94] _Corucheo_; Selves calls it _coroza_.
[95] _Espelhos._
[96] _Frecheiros._
[97] _Lunas._
[98] Of the wall of inclosure.
[99] _Revindas_, _Revindo_, _a_, not in any dictionary except the
_Diccionario Portatil_ of Santa Rosa de Viterbo, Coimbra, 1825, which
says: “Arco, on abobeda de meio circulo perfeito que dizem de meia
volta em berço”.
[100] _Revinda._
[101] _Curral._
[102] _A pe quedo._
[103] _Preguntas d’estrada_, wayside questions. The question about
the length of time the Holy Family passed in Egypt was not, however, a
simple or purposeless question, as the Abyssinians assert that during
that time they visited Abyssinia.
[104] _Salsa de Palmela._
[105] _Era a rodo._
[106] Church of the Trinity.
[107] With his knapsack in his hand. _Con la barjuleta en la
mano_, Selves.
[108] _Furou na silveira; Rompiendo por una enramada_, Selves.
[109] In the preceding chapter it was said to be two days’ journey in
circumference.
[110] This is the worst trait of Abyssinian character to be found in
any of the accounts of that country; and instances of similar conduct
are only to be found in Russia.
[111] See Major Harris for an account of the imitation by the King of
Shoa of this custom of shutting up the King’s relations.
[112] _Esparavel_, a parasol or umbrella, apparently a mark of
rank.