Of the Emperour.

THe Emperour of the Abyſſins is a Prince highly honored of his ſubjects, becauſe they fancy him to be lineally deſcended from that noble and Religious King that firſt planted the Chriſtian Religion amongſt them; and as they are extreamly devoted to it; ſo much, that they appear almoſt extravagant in many of their practiſes, they have no ſmall reſpect to his Poſterity, who firſt brought them the advantage of the Chriſtian Faith. None hath acceſs to him of his ſubjects unleſs it be upon ſolemn occaſions, but the chief Officers of his Crown, when he rides or is carryed abroad in a Royal Throne, all his people fall upon their knees and adore him; this throne is a kind of Sedan, but far more ſtately, with ſteps aſcending to it made of wood gilt over, covered with Gold, it is carryed upon mens ſhoulders, or between four Horſes, the Emperour appears in it with much ſtate, and with more glory than in any other thing that I have ſeen; He never ſtirs out of his tents, but 600 men do follow him at his heels, they are his daily guard, they wear a Livery and a Habit diſtinct from all other people, on their head a Scarlet bonnet with three white plumes faſtned behind with a blew croſs on their ſhoulders, they have a very convenient Coat that comes down to their middle, with a Girdle or Saſh, over it a Roman Mantle hangs, more proper for State than action; the colour is green, it is not very long, nor troubleſome when they are obliged to make uſe of their hands; ſometimes they ride, ſometimes they go afoot, as the Emperours occaſion requires; for that purpoſe he hath always ready in his Stables great numbers of Horſes. The Emperours Perſon is whiter than any of his Kingdom, for the Abyſsins are tawny, a colour drawing near to black. I never ſaw any others of his Relations or kindred, but I hear they are all of the ſame colour. The people interpret this to his advantage, that God by this diſtinction, hath ſingled out that Family that is to Reign amongſt them, out of which they always chuſe their Emperour; their cuſtom is, that he ſhould never marry until he be crowned; then, with the conſent of his Nobles he chuſeth two Wives out of his Kingdom, he entertains beſides as many Concubines as he pleaſeth. They are always with him in his tents with all their Attendants. The firſt Male-child uſually ſucceeds the Father in his Kingdom. Aſſoon as the children are named, they are carryed to a very delicious place in the middle of a large mountain called Amarak, where a ſtately Caſtle is built encompaſſed with the River Borohr, and fortified with a ſtrong wall. There they are kept with the other precious things belonging to the Emperour, they never go out unleſs it be in the Gardens and places of Recreation, with which this territory is abundantly furniſhed; and then they never looſe the ſight of their governours and guard; when the Father is dead the chief Officers of the Empire come to this place, and unleſs the eldeſt be uncapable of the honour, they take him to ſucceed in his Fathers room. If there be no Sons, the eldeſt Daughter takes the Scepter. During their Fathers life, they are kept here as in a Seraglio, to learn all exerciſes proper to their Sex and age. They are taught the Hebrew and Arabick tongues, humane Philoſophy and the Principles of Chriſtian Religion. Here is for that purpoſe a large Library of above ten thouſand Volums all in Manuſcripts, ſome told me that they had there the moſt ancient Books of the world written by the Aegyptian Sages in the time of Moſes, by Phaenicians afterwards, and by the Learned of all Ages. I ſaw ſome in the Library (into which I had the leave to enter) that were made of the Aegyptian leaf called Papyrus, and others made of old Parchment that did bear the marks of antiquity. I ask'd the Subdi an Officer that led me in to ſee the curioſities, how they did to preſerve the Books ſo many years from conſuming, he told me that they do uſually tranſcribe them when the leaves are worn or likely to decay, and that for that intent there are twenty three Perſons appointed with a good maintenance for them by the former Emperours; their imployment is only to tranſcribe and copy out the books that age threatens to ſpoil; they have not the excellent uſe of Printing, for want of communication with their European brethren. Hither are alſo ſent the chief Noblemens ſons of the Empire to keep company with the Royal bloud, and to receive with them the inſtructions which this place only affords, for here is maintained a Learned Biſhop with: ſeveral inferiour Prieſts that have the charge of inſtructing and tutering the Children that are committed to their cuſtody. The Biſhop is Governor of the Caſtle, and Overſeer of the Dioceſs o • Kingdom of Amara; here is his Palace and place of abode, he ſeldom ſtirs to Court. The Emperour viſits this place oncea year with his Wives. When he is choſen, then all his brethren accompany him to his Coronation; a great ſolemnity in this place as well as amongſt our Chriſtian Princes; afterwards the Males are ſent to govern Provinces, the Maids are diſpoſed of in Mariage to Noblemen, who commonly expect this time as an opportunity to advance themſelves by ſuch an alliance. The Emperour is firſt crowned with thorns before he puts on the Imperial Diadem, in imitation of our Saviour, or to expreſs the troubleſome employment that he is to undertake. The Abuna puts both upon his head, in the place appointed for the devotions of the people, in the preſence of all the Nobility of the Country. At that time the Priſons are opened, a thouſand ſlaves are releaſed at the Emperours charge, and the poor are relieved, actions that become a Chriſtian Emperour, beſides a great Feaſt is kept ſeveral days with all the ſplendor that becomes ſo great a Prince, and ſ • large a Fortune and great Revenue. The preſent Emperou • name is Abraham, he is a young man about thirty years of age, his Meen is comely and pleaſant, his body is ſtreight and tall, the features of his face are very wel • proportioned; ſo that he paſſet • for a great Beauty amongſt them his eyes are quick and large, he i • much delighted with the ſport o • hunting the wild Beaſts, for tha • intent he keeps excellent Horſe and great Maſtives that are fetch • out of Indoſtan and Arabia; th • chief Officers that are near his Perſon, are his Biſhur, the Lieutenant General of his Armies; the Zoroah, the Treaſurer and ſuperintendant of his revenues; the Bikir, the grand Marſhal of the Kingdom who is alſo the ſupream Judge of Affairs of conſequence; the Huloh, the Secretary of State; Diriharvah Neguz, the Captain of the Guard, or preſerver of the great Emperours Perſon; Satyrhab is the Chamberlain of his Houſhold; the Graſhun is the keeper of his Horſes; ſeveral other Officers are in his Court, whoſe names I omit; when they come to their Emperour they bow their knee three times to the ground. The Embaſſadours of the Infidels do never receive the honour of ſpeaking to him, but they are dealt with by the mediation of ſome appointed for that purpoſe. The Abuna is much reſpected at Court; what he ſpeaks, is received by all as a Law. The former Emperour was a man of War, but this is a Peace-maker to his own prejudice, and that of his Subjects. He hath this good quality, that he is ſevere againſt all vices, againſt Swearing and Drunkenneſs, &c. He is fitter to ſit upon a peaceable Throne than to govern one that hath ſo many watchful enemies about it as his hath. He is very inquiſitive into all Affairs, he ſuffers none to be diſpatcht without his knowledge. He is not eaſily over-ruled by Councel, but ſticks faſt to his own opinion and reſolution, ſometimes to his prejudice; he is very Religious, and a great obſerver of the Ceremonies of his Church, hating all things that appear with the face of Innovation; by this means it happens that all about him look ſo ſerious in their Religious duties, and ſhew leſs profaneſs in their Practiſes, their Princes example encourages them. If any be named debauch'd, he is certain to be diſgrac'd as ſoon as the fame hath reach'd his Maſters ear. A great favourite of the Emperour, one that attended on him continually, was ſuſpected to have ſome familiarity with anothers Wife, the ſuſpicion was blown by ſome envious perſons into the Emperours ear, who preſently ſent for him, and diſmiſſed him his ſervice. This good ſeverity cauſeth his Laws to be well obeyed. Did this Emperour know as well how to deal with his enemies, as he doth know how to govern his Subjects, he would be as much feared abroad as he is reverenced at home, and all his Neighbours would ſtand in aw of him. I doubt not but the Empire of Ethiopia would be again reſtored to its former Greatneſs, could he but as well manage a Sword as a Scepter. But that weakneſs is to be attributed to the manner and place of his Education, he hath been ſhut within the narrow limits of a little Territory unto which he did confine his ambition when he was produced in the world; his larger fortune did not increaſe his pretentions, but being content to what he then enjoyed, the increaſe was look'd upon as a ſuper fluity, beſides this manner of Education weakens the ſpirits that ſhould have a compaſs and a larger ſcope to act than a narrow mountain or a ſmall Territory. He was there ſo accuſtomed to a Pedantick life, that he knew not how to handle the helm of State, and act ſupream in the buſineſs of the Empire. His Governours I conceive did ſo domineer over him, as it is their cuſtom, that he was ignorant in any other thing but how to obey. As therefore our Countryman Machiavel wiſely adviſes, let the Prince that is to ſucceed his Father be nurſed up in the Camp, and in the midſt of buſineſs amongſt men of courage and reſolution, that he may take impreſſions ſutable to the employment he is to have in the world; for were a Prince to judge of a propoſition of Divinity, or to compoſe a piece of Latine or Greek, I would then ſhut in the wandring thoughts of his youth, and not ſuffer them to ſee the world abroad: but ſeeing he is to command men, rather than Schollars; and to compoſe thoſe Affairs upon which depend his Subjects quiet and happineſs, I think it is wiſdom to train him up accordingly, and let him ſee the face of Souldiers as well as of Pedants, a Gun and a Sword as well as Books, that he may not only be a Maſter, but a King. My buſineſs is not to enlarge upon the manner of Education proper to a Prince, only I take notice of the defaults I have mark'd in Ethiopia in the bringing up their young Nobility, and the Perſon that is to wear the Crown, that if theſe Memoirs have the happineſs to fall into the hands of any of our Princes of Italy, they may not make their Children ſo bookiſh that they may not be able to handle a Sword. This preſent Emperour of Ethiopia is the moſt Learned of all his Dominions, he ſpeaks Arabick, Perſian, Hebrew, and many other Languages; he is read in Philoſophy, in Aſtrology: He is fitter for contemplation than for action.

Of the Imperial Court.

UNder ſo Religious and Learned a Prince we may look for Courtiers of the ſame temper, for although ſome may follow their inclinations, it is common to ſee them frame themſelves according to their Princes will and diſpoſition. Never any Court was better modelled. Solomon from whom this Emperour gives out to have derived his Pedigree, did never order his Houſhold in a more excellent manner. Every Officer is to be dil igentin his place, if any be careleſs or corrupt, the She •• va • ous, the Comptrolers and Officers appointed to take notice 〈…〉 all miſdemeanours; leſſer offences are puniſhed with the diſcredit of loſing the place, greater with impriſonment and loſs of Eſtate and life. The Neguz himſelf is ſo ſevere, that lately at the requeſt of his Mother he would not pardon a murderer, one of his Attendants, when he had killed a child of an Inferiour birth and Parentage, but cauſed him to be forthwith baniſhed out of his Territories.

Beſides the Biſhops that wait upon the Court, here are ten Chaplains, Miniſters of the Inferiour Orders of the Clergy, who do on the Sabbath day expound before the Emperour in their turns, ſome Text of Scripture according to the ancient manner of the Jews who had their Synagogues, where the Law was read and explained to the people every week. The Saturday is the day appointed in this place for publick Devotion. The manner obſerved at that time, I ſhall ſet down in its place; all Orders of men do reſort to their Churches to aſſiſt in the ſervice of God.

In the Court are entertained all the Princes ſons that have any dependency upon this Empire; when they come of age whiles they are young, they are kept in the Caſtle of Amara, and there brought up with the young Emperor; a policy not unuſeful to this State, for by this means they are taught be time to know and reſpect their future Prince, and when they are of age to manage and govern the Affairs of their ſeveral jurisdictions; they are more faithful to his intereſt, for whom they have had a kindeſs from their Infancy, for nothing nouriſhes love ſo much as an early acquaintance; and nothing lays a better foundation to a ſincere friendſhip and loyalty, as a familiarity from their tender years. They are there taught to honour and reſpect the Emperours Children, and he is alſo obliged to a loving correſpondency with them. But aſſoon as they come of age, the Emperor calls them to Court, and there they are further inſtructed and tutored before he commits unto them their Fathers Eſtates and Kingdoms. This obliges alſo the Parents to ſtick cloſe to the Emperour, for their ſons are as pledges in His Court of their fidelity and obedience.

The Emperour is not to dwell in any houſe, nor to make any long reſidence in any Town, for they look upon it as beneath his Grandeur to be confined within the Walls of any habitation; and they judge it not conſiſtant with the benefit of the publick, that one place ſhould conſtantly enjoy him; therefore it is provided by the Statute Law of that Nation, that the Prince ſhall never ſtay above four days in any Town, for that reaſon, when he hath been beaten by his Neighbours, he ſhut not up himſelf in Cities or Fortreſſes, but ſaved himſelf into the remoteſt and Deſart places, where none did offer to ſeek him out, or to adventure themſelves but the wild beaſts. The people of the Country that hold from him all their Lands and Tenements, do never ſuffer him to be long in that diſtreſs, but they flock about him out of a fear to loſe the right or privileges of his protection; ſo that if he loſeth one battel and his people be deſtroyed whiles there are any remaining in the Land, he is able to make a head againſt the enemy, for all are obliged in ſuch caſes to appear in Arms from ſixteen years old to • ſixty, unleſs ſickneſs doth furniſ • them with any reaſonable excuſe.

There is one practice remarkable in this Court, every morning • all the Officers of the Neguz d • pay their reſpects unto him abou • eight a clock, not to his Perſon • but to ſomething that repreſent • it. In the Anti-Chamber of the Emperour is a couch of Stat • ſtanding under a glorious Canopy • upon three ſteps above the couch • is a Golden Scepter richly ſet with precious Stones and Pearls, it commonly leans againſt the hanging of the room. Before this empty ſeat are always waiters to obſerve all that omit to pay their daily homage. It is the duty of every one to preſent himſelf, and kneel three times to the ground before it every morning whether the Emperour be there or not. The Abyſsins never ſtir their hats, nor diſcover their heads, but in the Churches at their devotions, then they obſerve the practice of all other Chriſtians. Leſſer civilities are paid only with a bow of the body, and an inclination of the head, holding the right hand cloſe to the breaſt; greater reſpects are expreſſed with the bow of the knee, the kiſſing of the girdle or the thigh, and of the ground upon which the perſon that we intend to honour walks.

Women are rarely ſeen amongſt the men at Court, they have a private place unto which none is admitted but the Abuna, and ſome of the moſt Religious Perſons. They have Eunuchs that wait upon them, uſually Blacks, they appear at the Churches, but in a place ſeparated from the reſt. Sometimes when the Emperour will ſhew his Grandeur and happineſs to his Courtiers, he ſends for his Chief Queen, who muſt appear in all the State and Glory that her Induſtry or Beauty can produce, ſhe is received by the Emperour with ſome expreſſions of kindneſs, and then ſhe is admitted to ſit down on his right hand, for the left is the place of honour in Abaſsia.

Once every year he hath a great Feaſt kept at Court, with wonderful expreſſions of joy, it is the day of the Emperours Birth. It is the cuſtom that the Neguz ſhould give entertainment to all that will be pleaſed to accept of his kindneſs, he is the next day after requited with Preſents of the moſt conſiderable Perſons of his Court.

This Imperial Court is never fixed in any one place, but Marches with the Emperour, about 6000 Tents do always pitch about him, in ſuch an excellent order, that in a moment, from the farthermoſt tent one may come to that of the great Neguz, where a ſtrong guard watches about his Perſon day and night. The Souldiers of the Kings guard are very neatly attired, and well furniſhed with Bows and Guns; they are mixed at preſent, ſince the uſe of Powder was introduced amongſt them by the Portugueſes.

Of the Government.

THe Emperour hath ſeveral great Kingdoms that acknowledge his jurisdiction, and ſeven or eight crowned heads that are under him; His name is Giam Belul, that is, Precious Giam Or John, a name of the ſame ſignification as Illuſtrious Serenus, Excellent, &c. Titles that we give to our Princes. When he writes, this is his ſtile,

In the name of God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, of things viſible and inviſible; in the name of God the Son Jeſus Chriſt, who is the ſame with the Father from the beginning of the world, Light of Light, true God of true God, and in the name of God the Holy Spirit, who is alſo a living God proceeding from the Father.

This Letter you ſhall receive from a mighty King, whoſe name the Lions do reſpect, by the grace of God I am call'd Athani Tinghib; that is, the Incenſe of the Virgin, the ſon of K. David, the ſon of Solomon, the Son of the King by the hand of Mary, the Son of Naw according to the fleſh, & the ſon of S. Peter, & S. Paul, according to grace, the beloved of God, the Pillar of the Faith, who hath taken upon him the name of Abraham Emperour of the Great and upper Ethiopia, and of large Kingdoms and dominions, King of Xoa, of the Cafates, of Fatigar, of Angote, of Baru, of Baliganze, of Adea, of Vangue, of Goiame, where is Nilus ſource of Damaraa, of Vaguemedri, of Ambea, of Vagne, of Tigremahon, of Sabaym, the Country of the Queen of Saba, of Bamagaes, and Supream Lord as far as Nubia that confines upon Egypt, &c. Many Titles and Kingdoms are heapt together to expreſs his Grandeur; at preſent he enjoys but the Titles alone of many of thoſe Kingdoms, whiles others do eat up the reverſion, eleven or twelve of them do remain faithful to him, ſometimes the Inhabitants are diſturbed by their war-like Neighbours, but they could never be ſubdued by any other Prince, for his ſake they endure the loſs of their Goods, Eſtates, Children, and oft times they are driven into extream Poverty, becauſe they cannot leave their lawful Prince; but they muſt alſo renounce Religion with him before they can be accepted of by their enemies.

This conſideration ties them faſt to the Neguz intereſt, and obliges them to be moſt faithful unto him notwithſtanding all their loſſes.

The Government of this Great Prince is partly Arbitrary, and partly Subject to the written Laws that are contained in two Volums, written as they ſay by the Apoſtles themſelves. The firſt they call Manida, the other they name Abethilis, they comprehend the Rules of Government, relating to right or wrong; they further obſerve much of the politick Law of Moſes, which he commanded the Jews. In thoſe other occaſions of which theſe Books are ſilent, the Emperours or the Judges pleaſure and reaſon paſſeth for a Law. The firſt Books called Manida and Abethil, are full of moſt excellent Rules and Statutes. Some wiſe man of that Empire compoſed them for to direct the Prince in the execution of his Office: and that they might receive more credit, he cauſed it to be bruited abroad, that theſe books had been found in the ruines of the Church where St. Lycanon, who was ſent into Ethiopia by St. Philip the Apoſtle, did teach and that they had been compoſed by the Diſciples of our Saviour aſſembled together in a general Councel. Aſſoon as this religious lye had been divulged, every one was deſirous to ſee and hear the Contents of this Book, when they ſaw therefore that the matter was anſwerable to the fame of it, they began really to credit it, ſo that they do as religiouſly obey the commands of theſe Books as the Goſpels, and the word of God. When the Emperour dines or ſups, ſome ſmall portion of it is read before him after the Muſick, which in this country is very pleaſant and grateful to the ear, more than in any other place out of Italy, although the inſtruments upon which they play be not like ours.

The Emperour hath one Judge called Bikir over all his dominions, to judge of matters of right or wrong, under him are the Sudh • drie's, provincial Judges that are to give up an account of their actions to him, they are often removed at the leaſt complaint, and others placed in their rooms. It is a great diſgrace to receive a bribe, they all do follow the dictates of reaſon in pronouncing their ſentences, in proportioning the penalties according to the nature and hainouſneſs of the offences. Theſe Judges have only a power over the people, the Clergy and Monks have other Officers and Superintendants that do judge of their matters.

Beſides theſe inferiour Judges, every other year the grand Marſhal or Supream Bikir ſends men into ſeveral Provinces to hearken after the behaviour, and examine the deportment of the Judges. If any be found guilty of any crime, he is ſeverely puniſhed and ſhamefully thruſt out of his Office with a mark of Infamy, that renders him incapable of having any publick employment in this Country. Such ſeldom remain there long, for the ſhame and obloquy of the people forces them to be gone and ſeek other habitations in a remote Country. The Bikir hath alſo his Lieutenants, like unto our Colonels, diſpoſed of in all the dominions of grand Neguz, each Lieutenant gives him account of all the men he is able to provide for the ſervice of the Prince in caſe of neceſſity, and he governs the people, keeps all things in order, aſſiſts the Bikir and all his inferiour Officers in the execution of their Offices, when they are requir'd; for that purpoſe, they have ſo many men ready upon all occaſions to obey their orders; theſe receive a continual ſalary from the Emperour, although they are otherwiſe employed in ſeveral Trades. At the leaſt ſummons they aſſemble at the Rendezvous, and follow their Leaders, who by this means keep all the Country in awe, and appeaſe the tumults and diſorders that may happen amongſt a mixed multitude.

In the time of the Wars, theſe Lieutenants of diſtinct places gather their men together at the place appointed, and then march with them according to order, uſually to the place where the great Neguz is himſelf, to guard and defend his Perſon. They carry with them their Proviſions and Victuals proportionable to the time appointed for them to ſtay in Arms. Theſe officers have places allotted to them for their maintenance by the Emperour, who is Lord and ſole owner of all the Land within his great Empire. All the people are but his ſlaves, their ſubſtance and goods are his when he will require them; unto perſons more eminent than the reſt he appoints certain Lands and places for to recompence them for the pains they take in his ſervice. All the people pay the tenth part of all fruits to the King, that Revenue belongs to the Crown: they always pay the tribute and taxes in the Commodities of the Country, in Salt, Gold, Silver, Corn, Hides, Elephants Teeth, the horn of the Rhinocerot, ſlaves and ſuch like.

Now this manner of Government is only in the Territories, more immediately ſubject to the Neguz, the others, where tributary Kings do Reign, are not thus ſubject to his power, the Kings give no account of their actions to him, or to his Officers, but play the ſoveraigns in all their jurisdictions, cauſing money to be ſtamp'd in their names, tributes and cuſtoms to be levyed according to the publick wants, diſpoſing of all offices and places within their territories at their will.

Of late they have brought in ſtamped Coin, which before was not known in this Empire. The name and titles of the Neguez is Printed in one ſide, and a large Croſs on the other, with ſome Characters ſignifying that he is a defender of the Croſs. There are yet ſome little pieces of Gold, Braſs and Iron, with Pepper, and all other Merchandiſes, that ſerve inſtead of Coin in the places far from the Imperial Court, and where Coin cannot ſo eaſily be obtained nor made. Thoſe that are found guilty of crimes, are not ordinarily puniſhed with death (they uſe to deprive them for their offences of ſome of their Limbs) of their eyes, hands, or feet, forcing them to a continual ſufferance the reſt of their days. If any commit ſacriledge, he is burnt without mercy in the fire; and thoſe that murder, by their Law are to loſe their lives, unleſs the Prince will mitigate the puniſhment by a perpetual priſon or baniſhment.

In the Manda are ſeveral penal Statutes, amongſt the reſt, that if a Prieſt be guilty of any crime, as of murder, of perjury, adultery, &c. he is to be puniſhed in the ſame manner as the reſt of the people, that he is to be called before the common Judge after that the Biſhop hath notice of the fact, and that both together are to pronounce the ſentence that he deſerves without any mercy.

It is commanded in that book, that all, both Secular and Eccleſiaſtick perſons are to abſtain from all carnal Copulation during the ſpace of twenty four hours next immediately before they enter into the Churches.

There is in it a very wholſome Law that concerns the good of the publick: It is that two times every year there ſhall be an Aſſembly called of the moſt Reverend and Eminent Perſons of the Nation to conſult of the Affairs of the Church, and eſtabliſh Laws according to the occaſions and times. That then the Abuna ſhall ſit as Preſident with the Emperours chief Judge, and that of the Clergy and Fryers, there ſhall be called out of all parts to make Decrees for the good of the Empire.

Adulterers are puniſhed with death in this manner. The Man and the Woman are ſtript naked and ty'd up by the legs to ſome high tree, where they are to remain to feed the Fowl of the air, until their bones and fleſh fall to the ground. It is no leſs than death to touch them, or to offer to ſhew favour to their dead Carkaſſes. By this exemplary puniſhment of theſe offenders, men grow more wary how they venture to defile their Neighbours Bed, and Women are not ſo free of their Tailes as amongſt our jealous Italians. Men in this Country pretend not ſo much Courtſhip and Gallantry, and Women dare not countenance the declarations or paſſion of a ſecret Lover. Cuſtom here teaches women as much privacy as in any other place, but not with that ſtrictneſs that might render them ridiculous, but they abuſe it not as other people do, the better to hide their foul actions, and the meetings of their Gallants. There is more innocency in the behaviour of the women; as much modeſty, but leſs craft and ſubtilty; as much freedom, but little debauchery.

Murder is no leſs hateful in this place, it hath a puniſhment allotted to it no leſs grievous: The murderer that knew how to deſtroy others, is forced to deſtroy himſelf alſo; in this manner a Sword is put into his hands, and he is laid upon a large piece of Iron flat, as long and as broad as a mans body, it is ſupported with four feet under it, a gentle flame is entertained that heats it, and puts him by degrees to cruel torments, the pain & rage forces him to thruſt the weapon into his own bowels, by that means to deliver himſelf from the unmerciful fury of the fire, and abridge his tortures. This kind of death is practiſed in Tigremahon and Angote, in other places, the murder is executed in another manner, they flea him alive, and cut his eye lids, and then they expoſe him to the Sun in that raw condition in ſome eminent place, rubbing him over with honey to invite the Bees and Waſps to feed upon him. This kind of death is the moſt inhumane that I ever beheld. The pain is both grievous and tedious, death creeps upon them by degrees, and ſuffers them not to die till they have endured a world of miſery.

The Noblemen and Grandees of the Court that offend the Neguz, or commit any other crime worthy of death, are not executed in the common manner, nor in the uſual places appointed for that purpoſe. There is in the Kingdom of Damut a high Mountain naturally well fortified with a ſteep ridge of hills on every ſide, a narrow paſſage leads up to the top, where a Caſtle is erected kept by the Souldiers of the Neguz guard. There all noble men are brought that venture to break the Laws of the Land, or to diſpleaſe their Soveraign Lord. The Territorie round about is very barren, and the place extream cold moſt part of the year; whether it be the nature of the Soil, or the elevation of the Mountain into the ſecond Region of the Air, none could tell me, but here theſe Perſons of Quality are famiſhed to death, impriſoned, and put to ſuffer ſeveral other ſorts of puments according to the pleaſure of the Neguz. This place is very convenient for that purpoſe, for the Friends and Acquaintance of the offenders cannot come to learn the miſeries that they endure, nor the cruelties that they ſuffer; which if they did know, might oblige them to a revenge, or ill will againſt their Emperours.

Of ſeveral Cuſtoms of the Abyſsins.

THe Emperour and people have ſo great a reſpect for the Churches, that they never ride by them upon their Horſes, as ſoon as they come within a hundred paces, they alight and walk a foot bowing at the publick places of their Devotion, in honour of that great God that hath named them his Houſes of Prayer, as they paſs by.

When the Emperour makes any progreſs far from the uſual place of Reſidence, certain Religious men do carry before him upon their ſhoulders, a banner with ſome pious repreſentation in it, with an Altar or Table of Stone, upon which they uſe to Celebeate their Communion, before them marcheth a fellow with a Cenſer in one hand, and a little Bell in the other, at the ſound of it the horſemen come down, the people ſtand by, and all do prepare themſelves to let their Prince paſs.

They never uſe to ſend their thoughts one to another in writing, but by meſſengers, either out of ignorance or ſuperſtition, for they fancy the uſe of writing ſo ſacred, that they will not profane it in ordinary buſineſs, becauſe God hath been pleaſed to commit his Holy Word in writing; yet of late, ſeeing the inconveniencies their ſcrupulous fancies have reduced them to, they have made uſe of writing in ſeveral occaſions, as in Regiſtring the Affairs of the Kingdoms, in ſetting down the expences, disburſements and Receits of the Emperours Revenues, &c. But the characters are diſtinct from thoſe of the Bible, or of their Sacred Books. And when the Emperour ſends an Embaſſadour, he then diſpatches with him ſome Credential Letters.

They are not to make Wine but by ſtealth, none but the Abuna and the King may cauſe the Grapes to be ſtrained; for they are afraid that if Wine did grow common, it would introduce much debauchery and many diſorders, which could not find a remedy. They do not forbid it out of ſuperſtition as the Turks, but for ſome politick conſiderations that Wine may not grow ſo common amongſt them, that they might neglect the other drinks which encourage Husbandry, for they uſe a ſort of drink made of a leaf which they ſow, it is of a pleaſant taſte, much like unto old Mede, a drink made of Honey. They drink alſo water ſteeped with Barley, & other Grains. The Emperour and the Abuna have liberty to drink and make Wine by their Laws. All the Wine of this Country is very black, but a great Cordial, it burns not ſo much the ſtomach as others do in hot places, but cheriſheth and refreſheth the body.

The towns in this Country are not numerous, in Houſes they ſeldom contain above 2000. I never • aw a walled City, ſome Caſtles of late have been built for pleaſure rather than for defence.

Their houſes are but mean and low, covered with a thick thatch, their beds are Hides tied up at the four corners. They eat upon couches, with a little round and low table placed before them that ſupports a large diſh; they have ſome Veſſels made of earth of a ſhining black very beautiful, theſe are their cups to drink; of late they have the uſe of Gold and Silver in their houſes.

They have ſeveral ſorts of weapons, ſhort Lances, Swords, Bows and Arrows without Feathers, Helmets and Head-pieces; they have got ſome field Guns purchaſed from Merchants at an extraordinary rate, to encourage them to import more.

The Abyſsins are natural lyars and deceivers, they ſeldom ſpeak truth when they ſwear, unleſs they be brought to take a ſolemn Oath, or be forced to ſwear by the Head of their Neguz, or be ſcared with the thoughts of Excommunication, for they apprehend that above all corporal puniſhments.

This is their manner of adminiſtring an Oath, the party that is to ſwear follows two Prieſts to the Church-door, they carry before him Fire and Incenſe, as ſoon as the party comes, the Prieſts cauſe him to lay his hand on the door, ſaying unto him theſe words: If thou ſwear an untruth, as the Dragon devoureth the beaſts of the Forreſt, ſo let the infernal Devils devour thee, as the Grapes are bruiſed in the Wine-preſs, ſo let them bruiſe thy body, and as the fire conſumeth the wood, ſo let thy ſoul for ever burn in hell. The party that ſweareth anſwers to every one of theſe imprecations Amen. But if thou ſpeak the truth, let thy life be prolonged with honour, and thy ſoul at laſt be received into heaven; and again he anſwereth Amen, which being ended, he tells what he knows of the buſineſs required from him.

They have not the liberty to kill an Ox without the Governours leave, although it belong to them, for they are careful to preſerve Cattel in that place from the exceſs of Luxury; here are no ſhambles therefore in the towns, as in Europe; their ordinary victuals are Mutton, Herbs, Fruit, Fowl, wild Beaſts, and ſuch like. The wild Goats do increaſe here in ſuch a manner, eſpecially near the Mountains, that they eat up all the Corn and Graſs, other wild things are here in great numbers; they do not therefore ſuffer their tame Cattel to be deſtroyed (whiles they have ſo many wild, that they threaten the Fruits of the earth with deſtruction) to encourage the hunting of them, they forbid the ordinary uſe of Beef. This Inland people is naturally of a lazy diſpoſition, they have therefore many Laws to quicken them, and oblige them to labour and provide for their own preſervation. As the not killing of their Oxen without Licenſe, the refuſing alms to beggars, they are not to ſuffer any in the Kingdoms of the Neguz that will not work, unleſs they be ſo ſick and maimed, that they are not able to help themſelves, then the Religious houſes do adminiſter comfort to them, for they are endowed for that purpoſe with many Lands and Reverſions.

The Abyſsins are very devou • in all holy duties, & in holy places they pay unto them a great reſpect, they'l neither ſpit nor ſit down in their Churches, nor ſuffer any Dogs nor Cats, nor any other unreaſonable creature to enter into them; but inſtead of ſeats, they uſe Crutches very conveniently made to lean upon. At the Church door there ſtands a multitude of them, every one takes his own, and draws as near the Preacher as poſſible he can. They perform their prayers ſitting, confeſs their ſins ſtanding, hear the expoſitions and Lectures of the Bible leaning.

They often uſe waſhing, eſpecially before prayer, they waſh face, hands and feet, for they love to appear before Almighty God with decency, they will not touch any unclean or dead thing, and if they do by chance, they dare not preſent themſelves in their Churches till they have made uſe of waſhing.

Their women are employed about all ſervile work, but are not reduced to that ſlavery as other women, their Neighbours amongſt the Moors and Gentiles. The ordinary work of thoſe that neceſſity conſtrains not to be induſtrious, is to ſpin Silk and Cotton to make the excellent ſtuffs that come from thence and the Eaſt Indies.

Their Marriages are very pleaſant, before the door of the bridegroom a bed is prepared according to his eſtate, then come three Prieſts with a ſilver Croſs which they lay upon it, followed by the Bridegroom, Bride, and all their Friends; they altogether walk three times about the bed, crying Allelujah, and then they command the young couple to ſet down, cutting off a Lock of the head of the Bridegroom, and another of the Bride, which they ſprinkle in water ſanctified, then they tell the Bridegroom, laying their hands upon his head, do that which God hath commanded in his Goſpel, and think now that you are not two but one fleſh; which is no ſooner ſaid, but they all depart, and a tent being erected about the bed, they preſently obey the Commandment. Then follows a three days Feaſt, where all magnificence is expreſſed amongſt the great ones.

Polygamy is permitted and much practiſed amongſt them, but thoſe that wait upon their Churches, or that perform any office in them, are by no means ſuffered to have two Wives, whoſoever of the Clergy keepeth a Concubine or two Wives, is degraded ipſo facto, and loſeth his title to all Spiritual promotion or employment in the Church, thereby they recommend a greater degree of abſtinence from fleſhly luſts to men of the Holy function, than to others; they require them to live according to the ſtricteſt rules of Chriſtianity, and to be exemplary in their converſations.

They have another frequent abuſe in the matter of Marriage, they do grant unto the woman a Letter of divorce upon ſlight occaſions: But the Prieſts do not approve of this practice, therefore they provide againſt it as much as lies in their power; they lay upon that perſon that ſhall break firſt the Marriage-bond a grievous penalty, or a curſe to oblige the parties for fear of being liable unto it, to be faithful and conſtant to one another. Nevertheleſs the great ones many times find ſe 〈…〉 pretences to excuſe their diſſoy 〈…〉 ty, and to procure a ſeparati 〈…〉 when they do not agree. Among • them it is alſo lawful to marry the Brothers Wife, if ſhe be Child leſs according to the Law of Moſes; but this is only practiſed by the Grandees. The other ſort of people are more Chriſtian in t 〈…〉 cuſtoms, they ſuffer not any to marry before the age of 18. the reaſon they give of this Law, i • that by early Marriages nature 〈…〉 brought to decay, which they labour to hinder, by appointing • moderate age capable of the trouble and inconveniencies of that eſtate. They fore-ſee alſo that i • Marriage were permitted before▪ it would both leſſen and weak 〈…〉 the next Generation of men.

There are here two ſorts of Religious men, the Prieſts whoſe buſineſs is to reach and inſtruct the people, whereof ſome are diſperſed all over the Country, having their particular precincts; the other live together in a Fellowſhip and Society in Buildings appointed for that purpoſe; the chief buſineſs of theſe is to Viſit the ſick, provide for the poor, and perform charitable deeds. The other ſort of Religious men are Monks and Fryers that live a retired life, as the Anachorets did; for that intent they have Covents built at ſome places diſtant from the towns, upon delicate Mountains, and in pleaſant Valleys. Neither of theſe ſort of people are uſeleſs in that Empire, they are not to beg as our Fryers in Italy and Spain, they have no need of it, for the former Emperours have appointed a conſiderable Revenue, and great territories to the maintenance of theſe Houſes, and of their owners beſides, they have the liberty to traffick and increaſe their Riches every one hath a trade to employ himſelf, ſome ſpend their life i • Contemplation, and in diſcovering thoſe things and Secrets that may be for the publick benefit, others do till their own ground, ſow, reap and dreſs their Gardens.

Theſe places were not firſt founded in vain, they were for the benefit of the publick, eſpecially of Strangers and Pilgrims that are there to be received and entertained without any charge to them. And if any wa • become an extravagant in waſting his Eſtate, it was laid up for him in theſe Religious Houſes, and employed to the beſt advantage by theſe Fryers. But that th 〈…〉 Revenue may never be waſted, they are never to marry whiles they remain in the Covent, if the fancy of marrying ſeizeth upon any man, he is to depart with a ſmall portion, and to diſpoſe of himſelf at his own pleaſure. Theſe men live ſuch pleaſant lives, that none can think of marrying whiles he remains amongſt them; they have plenty of all things provided for them, brought out of all parts of the world by means of their traffick; they have excellent company among themſelves, free from all troubles of the world. Some time they ſpend in their devotions morning and evening, they are conſtantly together at their Church-offering, their prayers to Almighty God for the Emperours perſon, and the Empire. The reſt of their time they ſpend in the improvement of their talents, and in their ſeveral affairs for the benefit of their Covent; they do n 〈…〉 weary themſelves late in the 〈…〉 works, but at a convenient ho 〈…〉 towards the evening they repair 〈…〉 their lodgings, and there take together ſuch civil Recreations as an innocent and retired life will afford. I look upon the condition of theſe men the moſt happy i • the world, they are neither burthened with commands, nor vexed with taxes, nor diſturbed with ſuits in Law, nor tormented with the cares of this world, nor conſumed with the unlawful pleaſure • of it, nor diſquieted with many miſcarriages which do naturally attend men of buſineſs; but here they live neither idle nor uſeleſs, but having employed themſelves moderately, they have time to revive their ſpirits with ſome Recreation. If there be a Paradiſe on earth, I think it is in Ethiopia amongſt theſe Monks and Fryers; they are ſo far from begging, that at ſolemn times of the year, at the Nativity of our Saviour, at Eaſter, Pentecoſt, Michaelmas, and the birth-day of the Emperour, they ſend their liberalities to all the poor people round their Covents, eſpecially to thoſe that are burthened with numbers of Children, and have nothing to make them ſubſiſt but their daily labour. Were our Fryers, our Franciſcans, Mendicants, and the other Orders of Religious men of this diſpoſition in his Holineſs dominions, the people would honour and reſpect them, and they would gain much credit to the Roman Church by ſuch practiſes, and to themſelves. Theſe Fyers that are thus retired out of the great concourſe of the towns and people, are of ſeveral fraternities, ſome are called the Moncks of St. Anthony, theſe are the moſt numerous. Their founder was an Anachoret of Egypt that ſpent his latter days in the deſart places in tilling and dreſſing the ground. He drew unto him ſuch numbers of people that were weary with the toil and troubles of the great world, that he ſaw many thouſands imitate his example before he dyed. The other fraternities are thoſe of St. Paul, of St. Maconius, whoſe employment is the ſame with the Monks of St. Anthony, they differ only in their names. In every Covent they elect every year a Superintendant whom they call Loucana; he is to keep good orders, and to anſwer all the miſcarriages that are committed by the Society, if he allows of them.

Theſe bleſſed places are to pay no Revenue to the Emperour, but of their prayers. All other Lands are at his diſpoſal by the Statutes of the Empire, he is the Lord of them, but theſe that belong to the Fryers are none of his, and free from all impoſitions. So are all the other Lands and places that belong to the Clergy; for we may take notice that the tythes of all things belonging to the Emperor, the Clergy and thoſe that attend in the worſhip of God have a maintenance appointed unto them out of certain Lands and territories: which they muſt ſee manured as well as the reſt of the people do theirs, for they receive little or no benevolence from the Country, they depend not upon them for their maintenance: ſo that by that means they are highly honoured of all men, and beloved becauſe they rather give to them, than take from them; and although they are well rewarded for their pains from the Lands allotted to them, their good Offices look as favours and kindneſſes done to the people, becauſe nothing proceeds from their labours or Eſtates to reward the Prieſts inſtructions and Attendance.

The Churches are ſeparated into three diſtinct places or rooms according to the manner of the Jews. At the entrance of the Temple, about ſix paces there is a Curtain drawn that makes the firſt ſeparation, every body may go into the Church, but none but thoſe that have been ſanctified by the Abuna have liberty to go into that place, and paſs the firſt Curtain. This was wiſely enacted to oblige all the Nobility and Perſons of Quality to receive that benefit from the High-Prieſt, and by tha • means to endear him unto them. Next to this place before the Altar-table, is drawn another Curtain, beyond which none hath liberty to paſs but the Prieſts themſelves when the Communion is adminiſtred. Theſe curtains are drawn, but the people keep themſelves in their ſeveral diſtinct places until the time of the Communion.

The Churches are very neatly adorned with Pictures, which theſe people do not worſhip, but only as Ornaments to their Religious Houſes, they place them there. The Churches are built of Lime and Stone, which they uſe not in their common buildings; for they think it decent that the places ſet apart for the Service of God ſhould have no common materials. None therefore but ſome ſelect houſes of the Emperour are built in this manner, and with the ſame ſubſtance.

When the Prieſt hath loſt his Wife by death, he may not marry again unleſs he wil loſe the power of executing his function, yet the Patriarch may give a Licenſe to marry again, but without that Licenſe it is altogether unlawful.

They bury their dead with the greateſt ceremony imaginable, they cloath them in all their moſt gaudy attire, and carry them in a Chair with their faces and hands uncovered, if the dead hath been a Souldier, he hath the honour to go armed into the grave; before, march the Prieſt and the Religious men, ſaying ſome good ſentences, adviſing the people to prepare to depart; then comes the Corps ſeated in his Chair of State trimed with Garlands and Flowers, and with ſome white Feathers, if he be young, with yellow if he be of a middle age, and with black if he be old. The ſight is ſo pleaſant, that it would almoſt give every one a mind to be in the room of the dead; the Parents follow with a badge of mourning upon their heads, a handful of aſhes, the next come their friends and acquaintance; thus they proceed to the Grave in order, where the firſt ch. of the Goſpel of S. John is read, & the noble Actions & vertues of the dead are rehearſed, all hearing with much devotion, then the Prieſt as they put the body in the Grave pronounceth theſe words, Duſt thou art, and to dust thou ſhalt return. The next day they give alms, and ſend gifts to their friends in the name of the deceaſed, and bring upon his Grave a banquet according to the Quality of the Perſons. And every day for a moneth they continue to viſit the Sepulchre of the dead, and to offer up ſome prayers for him to Almighty God, for they imagine ſomething of purgatory, and of the unſealed eſtate of the Soul immediately after its departure out of this life, which obliges them to intreat for them, that they may enter into the joys of the bleſſed.