THE LATE TRAVELS Of S. Giacomo Baratti, An Italian Gentleman, Into the remote Countries of the Abissins', or of Ethiopia Interior.  
Wherein you shall find an exact account of the Laws, Government, Religion, Discipline, Customs, etc. of the Christian people that do Inhabit there, with many Observations which some may improve to the advantage and increase of Trade with them.  
Together, with a Confirmation of this Relation drawn from the Writings of Damianus de Goes, and Jo. Scaliger, who agree with the Author in many particulars.  
Translated by G. D.  
London, Printed for Benjamin Billingsley at the Printing-Press in Broad-street, and at the same sign in the Piazza over against Popes-head-alley near the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, 1670.   

To the Worshipful Thomas Windham Esq  
SIR,  
HEre are the Travels of our Italian Gentleman, that you have so long desired to peruse in our Language. It is an excellent description of that Great Empire that is so near related unto us by Religion, and nevertheless at such a distance from us. I hope it will fully answer your expectation, for you shall find in it most delightful passages, with an exact account of the Manners, Laws, Government, and of all other particulars in the Dominions of Ethiopia, worth the notice of an Ingenious Traveller. It may be that this small Treatise may meet with the ill fortune which such are to expect that thwart or disapprove of grand designs and furt●us enterprises. It matters not what aspersions may be raised to darken its Truth, and hinder its appearance and credit; I hope the probability of all the matters▪ related, & that may be also gathered from the place where it was first published, will dissipate all envious vapours, and cause Ethiopia to appear amongst ●s in its own shape and form. Our Gentleman had committed an act not agreeable to that Judgement that he shows in his writings to publish things of a Kingdom so well known to most parts of Italy, by reason of the continual correspondency that the Princes of it do entertain by their Factors with the Grand Neguz) had there been any thing in his Relation not real, ●r untrue. His Book had not found that universal applause to be twice honoured with the Press, had it not found amongst his Countrymen a reception suitable to its worth. Let the ill-natured and peevish minds, that credit nothing but what they see, esteem of this I ra●slation, and of the original as they please; I know Sir, that all sober-minded Persons as yourself, will find both Sweetness and Profit in the Reading of it; however I should desire, that you will look upon these labours as a Confirmation of tha Title that I shall always covet, I mean of  
Sir, Your most faithful and obliged Servant, G. D.   

A DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY OF Precious John, Vulgarly called PRESTER JOHN.  
THe Empire of Aethiopia, is not inferior to the largest in the World, if we consider that vast Continent that was anciently, and should be now under the Command of the lawful Heir. It contained above thirty large Kingdoms, and many fruitful Provinces well furnished with Men, and stored with Rich Commodities; but the late unhappy Wars with the Neighbour Kings have much weakened this growing Empire, and reduced it to a little number.  
The Turks, the Gialas, the King of Mozambique, the Moors, and several others that surround this Christian Principality, have dismembred the Provinces and Kingdoms that were anciently subject to it, and submitted them to their several Jurisdictions. The Moors have seized on the Sea-coast, the Turks have conquered the most fruitful Kingdoms that confine upon Egypt, the Gialas a warlike Republic of Africa, command several large Territories that belong unto this Imperial Crown. The King of Mozambique and the rest have rob it of its chief Jewels and Ornaments, so that at present it is nothing so large, nor so considerable as formerly it was. The cause of these great Losses must be attributed to the Cowardice and unexperience of the Inhabitants more inclinable to Superstition than warlike feats, and to the diversity of Religion in which these Nations differ much from the Abyssins'. The Turks and Moors are nourished up in the Mahometan, the Gialas and they of Mozambique in the Heathenish Idolatry (which cannot comply with the Christian Truth.) The Professors of the former, have a natural antipathy against the Proselytes of the latter; insomuch, that they can scarce suffer them to breath in the same air. This hatred entertained by the different ways of worshipping the Creator, hath fomented all these wars and troubles that have for many hundred years shaken the Abyssin Empire, and separated from it the most excellent, and the largest Provinces that did belong unto it; so that at present it is reduced to a very narrow Circuit in comparison of what it was. The Emperor nevertheless maintains the same State as he did formerly, and claims a right to all those Kingdoms that he hath lost. His present Dominions are not above 800 English miles in length, and 600 in breadth; they contain these Kingdoms, Amara, Tigremahon, Angot, Xoa, G●●ama, Bagamidri, Damut, Fategar, Barnagaez, Baru, Tigrai, Vangue,; so that they are limited on the North by Nubia, and the Mountains and Sands that separate them from Egypt; on the East, by the Kingdoms of Zangebara, Aiana and Adel, which lie upon the red Sea; on the South, the Provinces of Cafutes and Fungi do shut it, and on the West this Empire confines upon Congo, Medra and the Blacks. This Rich and Inland Country I have discovered by my Travels, and now that I am so happily returned to my own Native soil, after so long and troublesome a Journey, I own to my Country a Relation of those things that I have learned, which I may say, never any knew so much of this place before, as the Reader may find in this Book. In the year 1655. some Merchants of Florence were preparing to sail for Alexandria, I resolved to adventure myself in their Company, out of a great desire to visit the Holy-Land, and see foreign places. I had then received some discontent at home, which made me seek my satisfaction abroad; having therefore furnished myself with large sums of money, and a Man Servant, I embarked with them in a Dutch bottom, and in a fortnight's time we landed in that ancient City which Alexander had built. The plague was then very hot in that place, which obliged us to a short stay there. Some French Merchants were then going for Grand Cairo; my company persuaded me to take my journey with them, and visit the curiosities of that large City; I was not willing to take that Road so soon, for I desired first to pay my devotions at the Sepulchre of our Lord, but the persuasions of my friends forced me to leave that journey until my return, because we could not find a fit opportunity to travel into the Holy-Land I went therefore with the French Merchants to Catro, and spent some days there in viewing all the Rarities of that Great City; we had a sight there and in our way of many Antiquities which are so well known to all the world, that I shall not so much as mention them. I had not been there a month, but a Caravan was preparing for the Red Sea. The French Consul, at whose house I lay, encouraged me to take that occasion of discovering those Parts where Christians of of Quality seldom adventure themselves; assuring me, that it would be worth my while to see those remote places, and discover something to the Christian world, which was not known before. It happened that as I was meditating upon this journey, an Abuna or a High Priest of the Abyssins' came to the Patriarches house from Jerusalem, in his journey towards Ethiopia, intending to take the same way as the Caravan, because it was the safest. This accident I looked upon as an invitation of providence amongst those African Christians that are not well known to our Northern Climates. Having therefore furnished myself with Moneys and Bills of Exchange for so long a journey, I sought the acquaintance of the Abuna before my departure. It was no difficulty to obtain, for he was learned in the Italian Tongue, and well versed in the manner and Customs of the Franks; he was a Man of a swarthy countenance, both pleasant and grave, of a high stature, about 60 years of age, very lusty; he had not many to attend him, for he was not willing to discover himself amongst the Turks, who might have made advantage of him, by obliging him to larger disbursements than his Estate could allow: I was resolved to accompany him into his own Country, and visit the Court of the great Neguz so famous all over the world; we therefore engaged ourselves in the Caravan. I went for an Italian pilgrim, whose Person is much respected amongst the Heathens themselves, and least subject to the affronts and insults of strangers. The Abuna was also in the disguise of a Merchant, he had with him some Goods of a small value; we began our journey in the month of March, and through several misfortunes we arrived at the Port Town of the Red Sea called Suez, a famous place for Trade, it is the passage into Arabia Indostan and all other Countries of Asia. Here are therefore a great company of Merchants of all Nations that every this place, which otherwise would be very unconsiderable. It is a City fortified with a Castle and a Fort upon the mould as big as Pisa. The buildings are large, fit for Merchants than Noblemen; some are beautified with black and white Marble curiously wrought. Here is a Synagogue of the Jews much frequented on the Sabbath day, here is also an Idol Temple for the Gentiles, but the poor Christians have no other place appointed for their Devotions, but their Chambers and Houses. The Abuna found here some Abyssin Merchants, at whose dwellings he was courteously received, and honouraby entertained; they invited me to share with him in their Hospitality; I accepted their kind offer, because I had no mind to separate myself from him, seeing my design was to accompany him as far as his Emperor's Court. Here we remained several months, because we heard of an Army of Turks and Moors that were making an Inroad into the Territories of the Abyssins', we were advised to expect with patience their return, for otherwise we might have met them in the way and been brought back into Captivity, our liberty was too precious a thing to be unconsiderately ventured we; therefore remained a long while in this City expecting a fair opportunity to be gone. At last one presented itself not unworthy of our acceptance, the Turks Bassa of Egypt sent an Ambassador to the Precious John, who coming to Suez, we thought we could not meet with a greater happiness if we could be admitted into his retinue. We had some difficulty to obtain this favour, but upon the offer of 200 Crowns, it was readily granted. He took his leave of this City with a great Train, and we accompanied him upon Mules, we passed through many different Soils, some fruitful, especially of Date-trees, others very barren. The most part of our way was over craggy Mountains, where nothing did present itself to our view but wild Beasts far different from those that I have seen in Europe. We passed through some inhabited Land, where very strong Castles were erected to defend the Country from the enemies, the Moers did possess them, for this Nation is dispersed all over this Country, we found also some straggling Tents of Arabians that wandered up and down, we met with nothing remarkable, but Poverty and Misery, that seem to have taken up their Residence amongst the people that inhabit in this part of the world far in the Country. Their diet is such things as this barren habitation will afford them; their bread is a root, their flesh is of such wild Creatures as they can happily kill, their Clothing proclaims their needy condition, it is made of a large leaf of a Tree that grows in the Forests and Woods, neither is it sufficient to cover the back, so it hides the pudenda hominis, they are abundantly content; for that purpose a string is tied above their middle unto which these leaves are fastened, so that like so many Pendants they fall down and cover what nature teaches to hid. They have one conveniency and advantage which they enjoy above our common people, as our Princes and Noblemen of Europe they wear not their Apparel long, they change often, almost every day. These rascally sort of people that nature hath brought forth amongst these mountains, did appear unto us almost like Savages, they did not willingly come in our company, nor are they desirous to change their habitation, their bodies were big, and their Members thick and swarthy, they spoke a mixed Arabian, not well to be understood but by those that know all the dialects of that language; those that live in the fortified places are far more sociable, they had chosen the most convenient seats for their residence, some of the ground was fit to Sow and Blow, and to feed cattle. We were admitted into one of these Castles that was erected in the passage of a mountain very conveniently to hinder and stop the course of any enemy; the Commander in chief was a Moor, he received us with some expressions of affection, but before we debarred we were forced to pay dear for our entertainment, ten Dollars a piece, for that is a Coin that is currant over all the world. The Ambassador and those that did wait upon him were free, but for all strangers that did follow him in his journey, they were obliged to lay down the money or return back again. This little Tyrant had gathered together some numbers of men, who lived thus in this difficult place upon all passengers, forcing them to contribute to the maintenance of their lazy bodies. There are many such people that exact upon strangers, the Governors for the Turk do wink at them, because at a certain time of the year they send a sweet perfume unto them, a Purse full of Gold and Silver, and in consideration of this yearly tribute, they suffer them to exact, cheat and rob the poor Travellers and Merchants. We advanced far into the Country many days journey before we came to the Turks Army, they were upon their return from pillaging the Christians, they were laden with spoils and slaves. They made as much haste as they could in their march, for the Precious John had gathered his Army together, and was in the pursuit of them from Suez; we came first into the Country called by the Inhabitants Ganfila, next to Dafroha, and so through Barnagasso, Lacca and part of Dangali; we arrived at last upon the borders. The body of the Turks Army when we met it was near a large lake full of excellent fish. The people of this Country are ignorant of all kind of Arts, they have not the address of fishing; with Bows and Arrows, they kill Birds and Beasts upon which they feed and live; they own the Turks for their Masters against their will. This lake is in the Kingdom of Bamagasso, which was lately conquered and taken from the Great Neguz, the people retain some Relics of Christianity, but with that ignorance, that one can scarce distinguish them from the Heathens, unless it be by the name, up and down the Country some sorry houses are erected, fit for wild beasts than men. The walls are of mud and stones, the roofs of a sort of slender Cane and Reeds which grow near the water side, and in low places, the middle of it is supported by a Pillar of wood that stands in the huts, and keeps the whole Fabric from falling to the ground, for this miserable people are not acquainted with the Art of Architecture. The Towns are composed of this sort of dwellings, there are not many of them, but those that are, have chosen the best Land for their situations near some fresh waters or lakes; for unless it be in these places the ground is parched up all the year long, but during the time of the Rains. In Egypt they never fall, but in Aethiopia they are very extraordinary about the month of January and February. Such violent showers do pour down, that no creature is able to abide without a shelter, several parties of the Turks Army were straggling up and down, but the main body was at the lake Gueresh. When we came up to them they were composed of Horse and Foot about six thousand, not able to abide a a combat with the Abyssins'; therefore they thought upon nothing else than a safe retreat. They had plundered the Country people that were yet subject to Prester John, and had carried men, women and children into captivity. A sad sight it was unto us that were Christians, to behold our brethren and our Christian name so miserably abused by the enemy of Christ, our Abuna could not refrain from tears, he laboured to relieve some of them, and to comfort them in their affliction, but for fear of discovering himself, he was not willing to express too much grief or kindness to them. The Ambassadors credit saved us from all affronts, we lodged two nights with them; for during that time they expected the coming up of some Troops that were sent to pillage. It is the custom of the people that border upon the Abyssins', once a year to visit their Territories, for they meet with a considerable deal of plunder with little or no hazard. The Abyssins' are more superstitious than warlike, they have been renowned for Valour, but at present they are Cowards, they suffer every petty Nation that is daring to destroy their borders, which is the fault chief of their Governors; for having so much Riches as they have, so many Mines of Gold, and other considerable Commodities, they might allow a part to some warlike people to fight under their banners, and assist them against their troublesome Neighbours. At present they have little communication with people of their Religion, which if they had, it would be a mighty support to them and their interest; When the Portugueses were sent with an unconsiderable party into those Dominions, the Abyssin Emperor felt the benefit of foreign succours, for the enemy was beaten in two battles, and forced to yield to the Christian Valour. Amongst the Prisoners several Nobleman's children were seen, who by their Mien and Garb were distinguishable from the ordinary sort. These poor creatures were led to be sold in Turkey and other places as beasts, and the worst is, they were to be forced to renounce their Religion. What a grief was it to their Christian Parents, to suffer such a loss, to have their Sons and Daughters amongst the Infidels? This inconveniency might be prevented, did these Inland Christians keep a strong Guard upon their confines, or with a stout resolution labour to drive these Robbers far from their habitations, or labour to revenge themselves, by carrying the War into their own Land, or by seizing on the Sea coast, and the passages of the mountains that limit their Country, where they might place such strong Castles and numerous Guards as might keep the Turks and Moors from all such attempts: But when we have fully taken a view of Abassia or Aethiopia Superior, and of the Emperor and Government, we may be better able to see the cause of these disorders that happen almost every year in some corner of the Land. Having therefore spent some days in the view of our Christian brethren that were led into Captivity, we took our leave of them and of the Turks Army, and marched on our journey towards a large Town of the Kingdom of Tigremahon called Bashaw▪ it lies beyond a large River that runs through Africa, it receives the tribute from other small Rivers, and then it runs through many countries' until it discharges itself into Nilus, the people of the Country call it in their language Togassi and others Guekrahock. Were it not for this River, it were not possible to subsist in this Inland Country, but it divides itself into so many branches, and waters so large a Territory, that no part of the Emperor's Country is without some benefit that it brings unto it. The Country round about did hear the Marches of the enemy's rage and fury, the Towns were burnt to the ground, the people either fled or carried into captivity, the land and trees were not spared in some places, for they had cut down a great quantity to facilitate their passages over some Rivers. Here we came into a Country far more fruitful than any other I had seen in Africa, it was capable of more improvement; did the Inhabitants skill and industry answer the goodness of the soil, I do not find but this part might bear as excellent Fruits as any other place of the world. The heat of the climate quickens nature in the production of all Vegetatives, so that it is blessed with two Springs every year, or at least with two Crops of every thing that is sown or planted, unless it be in those places that want the benefit of water; we met here with some flying parts of the Turks Army riding apace after the main body, for they were pursued by several troops of the Abyssins'. Those thiefs had adventured almost near the Imperial Tents without resistance, not without considerable plunder able to reward them for their labours; we proceeded on our way about two leagues before we came to meet with the inhabitants of the Country, the first were a party of horsemen very well mounted pursuing their enemies, they complained unto the Ambassador of the Turks violences, we were afraid that they would have violated the Law of Nations upon him, they received us with that rage; the presence of the Abuna hindered them from offering injury to his Person; Him they received with all expressions of honour and kindness, and suffered some of them to return back to guard him, the rest continued on their way. They overtook the Turks at the ford of a little River very busy to get over their Captives and Goods, we heard that they fell upon them with a wonderful fury and recovered much of the spoils, killing great numbers of them. They returned afterwards in triumph with much honour, having so successfully encountered with their enemies. In the mean whiles we proceeded in our journey towards the Emperor of Abassia, who hearing of the Abuna's arrival, sent some of his Court to Compliment him and bid him welcome; where ever he passed the Clergy & people came to receive him with more signs of kindness than pomp, the processions of the people came to meet us at the entrance of the towns, and when we came within sight of the Emperor's tents, he sent all the Court to receive the Abuna. I did carefully observe all the ceremonies of Reception and Instalment. The Abuna as soon as he came within the tents, went to kiss the Emperor's Girdle. He was standing in a stately tent erected in the middle of the rest, about it was a large place much like to a Market, where the Courtiers are accustomed to walk, at the right hand is another very beautiful, where the Emperor's Wives and Concubines dwell; at the top of the Prince's tent is a Golden Cross with an Angel holding it in his left hand, with a drawn Scimitar in the right. The Abuna went to change his habit and put on another, according to the Abyssin custom. It is a very singular one, none but the Highpriest hath the liberty to wear it, for it is the badge or character by which he is distinguished from the other Papa's or Bishops of that Country, and from the rest of the Clergy, he was conducted next, to pay his respects to the Emperor, he was in the Kingdom of Beleguaze near a town very well peopled and situated in a pleasant plain called Ikroah, about six leagues distant from the River Tagassi, I had the satisfaction to accompany the Abuna, for he was a man of a very mild and kind spirit, very pleasant in company, yet grave and serious, he was led by the Master of the Ceremonies into the Inner room where the Emperor lay upon a curious Bed of White Cotton Bed with a large fringe of Gold, behind him stood his naked Sword, and round about were the Lords of his Privy Council; above was a Canopy of cloth of Gold, with green silk interwoven, the room itself was hung with the same stuff; assoon as the Abuna entered the room he kneeled three times on the ground, and then ascended the steps to the Bed to perform his respects; In the mean whiles the Emperor risen from his couch and half up embraced the Abuna, wishing him much felicity in his Empire, they discoursed some time together, and then he was dismissed with all honour and civility; the Emperor was pleased to take notice of his retinue, and particularly of myself. I was also admitted to the honour of kissing his Girdle, a ceremony only due to the Prince. I followed the Abuna, who received me into his own lodgings, and would not suffer me whiles I was in that Country to be obliged to any other place for my retreat. Now I have brought my Reader into the Imperial tents of Abassia, it is convenient that we should take a view as from a high place of all the inferior orders of men, and of all particulars which his curiosity may be inquisitive. And first  

Of the Emperor.  
THe Emperor of the Abyssins' is a Prince highly honoured 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 extremely devoted to it; so much, that they appear almost extravagant in many of their practices, 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 carried 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 gilded over, covered with Gold, it is carried upon men's shoulders, or between four Horses, the Emperor 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 fastened behind with a blue 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 Emperor's occasion requires; for that purpose he hath always ready in his Stables great numbers of Horses. The Emperor's 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 choose their Emperor; their custom is, that he should never marry until he be crowned; then, with the consent of his Nobles he chooseth 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 carried 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 Emperor, 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 lose the sight of their governor's 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 Father's room. If there be no Sons, the eldest Daughter takes the Sceptre. During their Father's 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 Arabic tongues, humane Philosophy and the Principles of Christian Religion. Here is for that purpose a large Library of above ten thousand Volumes all in Manuscripts, some told me that they had there the most ancient Books of the world written by the Egyptian 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 Egyptian leaf called Papyrus, and others made of old Parchment that did bear the marks of antiquity. I asked 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 Emperors; their employment 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 Nobleman's sons of the Empire to keep company with the Royal blood, and to receive with them the instructions which this place only affords, for here is maintained a Learned Bishop with: several inferior Priests that have the charge of instructing and tutoring the Children that are committed to their custody. The Bishop is Governor of the Castle, and Overseer of the Diocese o● Kingdom of Amara; here is his Palace and place of abode, he seldom stirs to Court. The Emperor visits this place oncea year with his Wives. When he is chosen, than 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 Marriage to Noblemen, who commonly expect this time as an opportunity to advance themselves by such an alliance. The Emperor 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 Emperor's charge, and the poor are relieved, actions that become a Christian Emperor, besides a great Feast is kept several days with all the splendour 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 Mien is comely and pleasant, his body is straight and tall, the features of his face are very wel● proportioned; so that he passes 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 Mastiffs 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 superintendent of his revenues; the Bikir, the grand Marshal of the Kingdom who is also the supreme Judge of Affairs of consequence; the Huloh, the Secretary of State; Diriharvah Neguz, the Captain of the Guard, or preserver of the great Emperor's Person; Satyrhab is the Chamberlain of his Household; the Grashun is the keeper of his Horses; several other Officers are in his Court, whose names I omit; when they come to their Emperor they bow their knee three times to the ground. The Ambassadors 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 Emperor was a man of War, but this is a Peacemaker 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, etc. He is fit 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 dispatched without his knowledge. He is not easily overruled by Council, 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 show less profaneness in their Practices, their Prince's example encourages them. If any be named debauched, he is certain to be disgraced as soon as the fame hath reached his Master's ear. A great favourite of the Emperor, one that attended on him continually, was suspected to have some familiarity with another's Wife, the suspicion was blown by some envious persons into the Emperor's ear, who presently sent for him, and dismissed him his service. This good severity causeth his Laws to be well obeyed. Did this Emperor 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 awe 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 Sceptre. 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 pretensions, but being content to what he then enjoyed, the increase was looked upon as a supper 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 Pedantic life, that he knew not how to handle the helm of State, and act supreme in the business of the Empire. His Governors 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 Machiavelli 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 suitable 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 Latin or Greek, I would then shut in the wand'ring thoughts of his youth, and not suffer them to see the world abroad: but seeing he is to command men, rather than Scholars; 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 Soldiers 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 marked 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 Emperor of Ethiopia is the most Learned of all his Dominions, he speaks Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, and many other Languages; he is read in Philosophy, in Astrology: He is fit 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 Emperor gives out to have derived his Pedigree, did never order his Household 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 comptrollers 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 Inferior 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 Inferior Orders of the Clergy, who do on the Sabbath day expound before the Emperor 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 public 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 Prince's 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 Emperor's 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 Father's Estates and Kingdoms. This obliges also the Parents to stick close to the Emperor, for their sons are as pledges in His Court of their fidelity and obedience.  
The Emperor 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 public, 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 Desert 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 battle 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 represents it. In the Antichamber of the Emperor is a couch of Stat● standing under a glorious Canopy● upon three steps above the couch is a Golden Sceptre 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 Emperor be there or not. The Abyssins' never stir their hats, nor discover their heads, but in the Churches at their devotions, than 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 intent 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 Eunuches that wait upon them, usually Blacks, they appear at the Churches, but in a place separated from the rest. Sometimes when the Emperor will show 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 Emperor 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 Emperor's 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 Emperor, 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 Soldiers of the King's 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 Portuguese.   

Of the Government.  
THe Emperor 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, etc. 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 called 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 Emperor 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 Supreme Lord as far as Nubia that confines upon Egypt, etc. Many Titles and Kingdoms are heaped 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 warlike 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 extreme 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 Volumes, 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 politic Law of Moses, which he commanded the Jews. In those other occasions of which these Books are silent, the Emperors or the Judge's 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 ruins 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 Council. Assoon as this religious lie 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 Emperor dines or sups, some small portion of it is read before him after the Music, 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 Emperor 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 heinousness 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 inferior Judges, every other year the grand Marshal or Supreme 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 public 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 inferior Officers in the execution of their Offices, when they are required; for that purpose, they have so many men ready upon all occasions to obey their orders; these receive a continual salary from the Emperor, 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 Emperor, 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 recompense 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 sovereigns in all their jurisdictions, causing money to be stamped in their names, tributes and customs to be levied according to the public 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 sacrilege, 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, etc. 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 Ecclesiastic 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 wholesome Law that concerns the good of the public: 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 Precedent with the Emperor's chief Judge, and that of the Clergy and Friars, 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 stripped naked and tied 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 show favour to their dead Carcases. By this exemplary punishment of these offenders, men grow more wary how they venture to defile their Neighbour's Bed, and Women are not so free of their Tails 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 hid 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 subtlety; 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 man's 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 flay 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 inhuman 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 Soldiers of the Neguz guard. There all noble men are brought that venture to break the Laws of the Land, or to displease their Sovereign Lord. The Territory round about is very barren, and the place extreme 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 Emperors.   

Of several Customs of the Abyssins'.  
THe Emperor 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 public places of their Devotion, in honour of that great God that hath named them his Houses of Prayer, as they pass by.  
When the Emperor 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 Registering the Affairs of the Kingdoms, in setting down the expenses, disbursements and Receipts of the Emperor's Revenues, etc. But the characters are distinct from those of the Bible, or of their Sacred Books. And when the Emperor sends an Ambassador, he than 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 politic 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 Emperor 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 Headpieces; they have got some field Guns purchased from Merchants at an extraordinary rate, to encourage them to import more.  
The Abyssins' are natural liars 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 administering 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 Forest, 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 Governors leave, although it belong to them, for they are careful to preserve cattle 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 cattle 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 forbidden 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 Licence, 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, than 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'll 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, than 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 see 〈…〉 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 Brother's 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 foresee 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 Friars 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 Friars in Italy and Spain, they have no need of it, for the former Emperors have appointed a considerable Revenue, and great territories to the maintenance of these Houses, and of their owners besides, they have the liberty to traffic 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 public 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 public, 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 Friars. 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 departed 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 traffic; 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 Emperor's 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 burdened 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 Friars; 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 birthday of the Emperor, they send their liberalities to all the poor people round their Covents, especially to those that are burdened with numbers of Children, and have nothing to make them subsist but their daily labour. Were our Friars, 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 practices, and to themselves. These Fires that are thus retired out of the great concourse of the towns and people, are of several fraternities, some are called the Monks of St. Anthony, these are the most numerous. Their founder was an Anachoret of Egypt that spent his latter days in the desert 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 died. 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 Emperor, 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 Friars 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 tithes 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 Highpriest, 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 administered. 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 Emperor 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 will lose the power of executing his function, yet the Patriarch may give a Licence to marry again, but without that Licence it is altogether unlawful.  
They bury their dead with the greatest ceremony imaginable, they cloth 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 Soldier, 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 departed; then comes the Corpse 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 & virtues of the dead are rehearsed, all hearing with much devotion, than 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 month 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 entreat for them, that they may enter into the joys of the blessed.    

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE Several Kingdoms Subject TO THE NEGUZ.  

Of Barnagasso.  
THis Kingdom is as fruitful as it is large and populous: It is limited on the South by a pleasant River called Abagni, that discharges itself into Nilus, on the West it hath an Island called by the Inhabitants Souhador, by our people Gueyter●▪ which Island the River Nilus formeth as it runs through Ethiopia towards Egypt; on the North is the Kingdom of Dafila, and on the East the Red Sea, where there is a very convenient Port for Ships, now possessed by the Turks and Moors called Erc●cc●. This Kingdom is full of little towns, the most considerable places are Finash, Carne, Timei, Bara, Barvo; there is over it a Lord or a King that commands in chief, and hath it by inheritance, he that is there now is called Ishmael, he pays tribute both to the Turks and to the Neguz; the Country abounds in Silk, Cloth of Silver that is made by the Inhabitants, and in Cottons. It is fruitful, of Dates, Pomegranates Peaches, Apricocks, Corn of all sorts, especially Oats, the people make of it a drink very pleasant. Here are also many Vineyards, the Wine they make by stealth, as in other places of the dominions of the Neguz.  
The Country is for the most part Champaign, unless it be towards the Red sea, there a ridge of hills stretches itself all along the Coast and encloseth many lakes and pools of water enriched with excellent fish, that which is called Mazamo, is the most considerable because of its pleasant situation that hath invited thither many Religious men that have planted upon the sides of it six Monasteries. It lies convenient for trade, for near unto it is the Red sea, from whence these holy Anachorets do fetch their Merchandise, to convey them to the rest of the Kingdom; and because they border upon the Moors, they pay unto them a yearly tribute to have the liberty of passing through their territories unmolested by their means, the Kingdom receives a considerable benefit; they have great numbers of Mules, Asses, Camels, Rhinocerots, Elephants especially in the Mountains where these creatures are wild.  
There is one thing very remarkable in the mountains near a little town called Abbarah, is a large fountain of such strange nature, that whatsoever is cast into it, turns within a days time into a hard stone, whether it be Wood, Flesh, Earth, or any other substance.  
And not far from it at certain times, amongst the common people it is reported, that there are appearances in the mountains very dreadful, when I passed by that place my curiosity carried me to it; I did really hear strange voices and names in the air, but saw nothing, but I did attribute the cause to the wind, and the disposition of the mountains that are so placed, that when a strong gale blows upon the Rocks there are unusual names heard; the wind strikes also through several Caves, and at the entry many shrieks and cries are heard, so that the Country people dare not adventure in to know the cause of them. The vulgar opinion is, that this place leads into hell, and that the Souls of the damned tormented in these lower-parts of the earth, do send up here their complaints. I did visit these Caves, near them none would come with me for fear of mischief. I perceived the cause of the wonder, and did discover it to some of the Friars, but their igrance and superstition would never believe me; from their infancy they had been bred up with an apprehension of these dark Caves, which no reason could possibly remove from them: I went to see all the curiosities of this Country with my guard, being accompanied by some Persons belonging to the Emperor's Court, they led me into a deep valley, where we heard nine Echoes or returns of our voices one after another. At the end of it near a large fountain, the ground being very stony, we found several slates very white that had Images of Beasts and men imprinted in them in a blue character, so perfectly, that no hand could ever paint them better.  
Nature sometimes delights to show her Industry or Art amongst the most contemptible trifles, and to cast her Gold and Pearls in vessels and places not answerable to the price of these things. The Prince of this Kingdom received us with much civility, but not with more State than is proper to such remote and barbarous people. The Abuna made his progress all over his Diocese, he visited the Court of this King amongst the rest, and in his company I went to see much of Ethiopia, he had a train suitable to his estate, several of the Grandees out of curiosity did accompany us; His business was in every place to see to the behaviour of the Clergy, to appoint Bishops careful of the Public Interest, and to look that they that were already appointed might do their office without respect of persons: He displaced three during our progress, and established others in whom he confided; they were the Bishops of Balgada, of Abuguna, and Fungi, men that had not behaved themselves well in their function.   

Of the Kingdom of Tigremahon.  
IT is the best territory of Neguz, but much ruined by the Wars of the Turk, it is watered with many little Rivers that run into Nilus, so that all the Summer it yields a pleasant Prospect, and as great advantage to the Inhabitants, for in most places they reap two Crops of every thing that is sown or planted: It contains about sixty leagues in length, from the River Nilus to Darngali, and thirty in breadth. The Emperor lives here for the most part, and therefore he appoints Governors over several places of it. Three Provinces it contains, Sabami, Torrates, Balgada; In that of Sabami are several Mines of Gold, out of which the Neguz digs five Millions of Dollars every year; over this Province is a Sebesh, a Governor that takes care to gather the Emperor's Revenue, and to keep good order in every place: It is not so fruitful as the other Provinces, but in recompense, it furnishes a great quantity of that Rich Metal that others do want. This place is said to be the country of the Queen of Saba that visited Solomon; the Abyssins' do tell many stories of her Voyage to Jerusalem, and of her return that caused all the Kingdoms that acknowledged her jurisdiction to become Jews.  
In this Kingdom was a famous City called Caxumo, it was the Metropolis of all Ethiopia, but it hath been mightily ruined by the Wars, so that at present it shows but a few houses that serve to receive Shepherds and Graziers, for here is abundance of cattle of all sorts, round about stand many old Ruins overgrown with herbs, but yet they declare the importance and greatness of the City that did give Laws to this part of the Country, although it is so near the line the air is very temperate, not so much by reason of the continual brises that blow very fresh from three a clock till the afternoon, as because of the abundance of fresh water Springs that are very cold in the hottest time of Summer. Near this City is a fountain that contains much water, but never yields any until the Beasts do come to drink, and when they do approach it flows over, and gives a very plentiful stream of clear water very grateful to the Palate. We had here a sight of a strange sort of a Cat, about the bigness of a Leopard, the Inhabitants do use the dung in many sort of medicines, and to die their Cloth and Cottons in blue. It is not so fierce as other beasts of that bigness, but extreme fearful, it keeps for the most part in inaccessible mountains and Rocks, and seldom adventures itself in the plain Country, although it runs as swift as any creature I have seen. Here are also great quantity of Rhinocerots, Tigers, Leopards, Wolf's, &c. for here are many Woods that serve for a retreat to these furious kinds of creatures.  
I must not omit a memorable story that is spread amongst the people of a certain hill that is situate between Dongali and Tigremahon, where a Saint, very much respected by the Country people, was shut up in prison and condemned by the Pagans that possessed this place to die in the beginning of Christianity: He was to be famished to death in a high mountain on the top of a rock unto which he was tied hand and foot: he continued there many days exposed to the fury of the Eagles and Vultures, and other ravenous Birds without any harm. These cruel fowl instead of feeding upon his naked body unable to defend itself, did bring up to him of the choicest meat that they could steal in the lower Country, and on the top of that hard Rock there burst forth a large stream of living water so near his head, that he had the liberty to sup some up, and refresh himself when he was dry.  
The spring continues yet to run, it falls down above sixty fathom high from a steep rock down a precipice. They say that their forefathers when they saw this miracle, and that at the end of two or three months he was in perfect health, as formerly, they embraced the Christian faith. They show besides the Tomb of this Saint that died amongst them in a very old age. It is visited by several pilgrims that come from the other Kingdoms of the great Neguz.  
The Inhabitants are excellent Marks-men, they have been tried in the wars against the King of Adel, so that they have approved themselves the best Soldiers of the Emperor's dominions. They use Bows and Arrows, a long lance much like to a Roman, of late they have fire Arms, and some few pieces of Artillery.  
The Emperor chooseth out of this Kingdom his common guards, because that they are not only good Soldiers, but have a mien more manly than the ordinary sort of people of these Regions.  
In this Kingdom that is the largest, and the best belonging to the Neguz, great numbers of Jews are dispersed. The Christians treat them with much civility, they suffer them to trade amongst them to reap the fruit of the earth to enjoy the liberty of their Religion, by that means great numbers have embraced that profession that did teach love and kindness to strangers, hoping to meet with greater advantages when they should become brothers, for there is no invitation more powerful upon the spirits of a man to oblige him to initiate himself in Religion than a sincere affection expressed by the professors of it. The advantages to be expected in Christianity are sufficient to persuade us, violence better becomes a Mahomet than Christ, he never made use of his whip, but to drive men out of his Church.  
The Jews have here their Synagogues, but they are at present so little frequented, that I think the name will be one day lost by reason of their great numbers that daily turn Christians.  
It was in this Kingdom that I saw a Black-a-moor with two heads joined one to another, and two faces, one behind and another before, the rest of his body was very well proportioned. It was a monster of about twenty years of age, he was way strong in his Limbs, he discoursed unto us with one Tongue, sometimes with the other, and sometimes both together; he was obliged to feeds behind and before, he eats as much as two men. The heads were distinct and separated until they came to the neck bone there they joined together. This irregularity in nature happens more frequently amongst the beasts than amongst the men of this Country, for the heat that commands their inclinations moves their blood, and carries them to unlawful Copulations when they meet together, as they often do at the Springs of fresh water.   

Of the Kingdom of Angote.  
IT is not so large as the former, but no less populous: Belequanze is on the South of it, Tigremahon on the West and North, and the Kingdom of Adel on the East, it stretcheth itself about twenty leagues in length, from Fatigar to Dangali, it contains two fruitful Provinces, Buguna and Guanamora; they are full of all manner of Fruit-trees, especially of Dates and Pomegranates, for here the Inhabitants are far more industrious than their Neighbours in improving their ground to the best advantage.  
Here are many Religious houses built as they say upon the Sepulchers of their Saints, that were there interred, several good towns do belong to it, Demars, Angote, and Buguna, are the chief near the latter, which is not far distant from a large River that bursts forth of the lake Barceum; situate beyond the mountains of Ainora is a large Pool of water called the Pool of Pontius Pilate, if any should cast into it a stone, or any other thing the water would rise, swell, grumble, and in an impatient manner run over the sides, although that which is cast in be never so inconsiderable; but if the water be let alone, it remains without motion. About 15 leagues from that place towards Adel is a little Town called Bachlar, where in the Church at one end of it grows a Vine, the Inhabitants name it the Holy Vine, it grows within the walls of the Church in a room that is made a purpose for it; It is planted upon the Sepulchre of one St. Maximin that was buried here. The people told me it was above a thousand years of age, and would subsist until doomsday, that the Saint at his death commanded it to be planted there, telling them, that as often as any twig should whither, they would receive a considerable loss from the enemies, and that when it should dry up, Christ would come to judge the world, or the Infidels would overpower the Christians; I was admitted to visit and pay my devotions to it, the cluster of Grapes that it yields are very big, I could not see whether they grew naturally upon the branches, that curiosity was unseasonable amongst a people that would admit of no contradiction, and that did find a great benefit from this belief, for both Heathens and Christians are possessed with this vulgar error, that the story is true. I that was not so apt to receive such unusual tales upon trust, did desire to touch the Grapes and examine their reality, but the Priest forbade me, telling me, that it was an impurity that never any had been yet guilty of, and that he wondered how I that waited not upon the Altar did dare to handle such holy things. I did not offer to examine further the business after this severe reprehension. It discovered to me as much as I was desirous to know, that piae frauds are in use in that Climate as well as in ours; a continual profit makes them nourish this opinion, and cherish it in themselves and others.  
The Priest sells the leaves, and the Grapes he says that he keeps them for the Wine in the Sacrament, the leaves are good for many sorts of diseases, as Agues, Fevers, Consumptions, etc. Many cures are said to have been effected by them, but I think that the fancy of the sick hath rather cured them than the virtue of the leaf.   

Of Beleguanze.  
THis Kingdom is more barren than the rest, the Kingdoms of Fungi, Amara, Bagamidri, Angote, Tigremahon, do shut it in on all sides; It is a plain Country, but full of sand, only on that side where the River passeth is fruitful, the most considerable Towns are Dahrab, Shubi, and Grochar, all three in sight of the Current; there is nothing memorable in this Kingdom, but some places where the Inhabitants do pick up golden sand, which they refine and sell to the Merchants of Melinde that bring hither their Camels.  
This Country hath no Barley, nor Wheat, but instead of those grains they have Tafo Daguza, seed with which they make a bread very pleasant to the taste, but much more sweet than ours. It grows in any ground, the worst as well as the best, nature hath thus provided for all Countries and people a means to supply themselves by their industry, if they will make use of it. This Country is extreme hot, and the most unfit for dwelling of any one that I have seen in the Territories of the Neguz, the beams of the Sun beat against the sandy ground▪ and meeting there with an obstinate resistance, they return back into the face and uncovered part of the body; so that it is not possible to walk here abroad about noon by reason of the excessive heat, therefore the inhabitants do keep themselves within their Houses from ten of the clock, until two. In the Houses that are all thatched and supported with posts, it is very cool, the Sunbeams have not the power to enter in through the Reeds.   

Of Amara.  
ALthough this Kingdom is directly under the Line, there is not a more pleasant place to dwell in all over the world. It is full of Mountains and Valleys about twenty leagues in circumference, adorned with high Woods and Forests, the ground is extreme fruitful, the people very civil, the Clergy devout, the Nobles gallant and brave. In the mountains are many little Villages planted in the low ground, and in the midst of them is a strong Castle that looks like a Town, for the outmost wall contain about two miles in circumference. Here the King's Children are kept with the Emperors as Hostages of their fidelity. They are all trained up in several exercises, the only inconveniency is that they are here confined to live, which it may be to them is no inconveniency, for they never see any thing else but these mountains, and think the world hath no other place for a dwelling but here. The Bishop of Amara, a very grave man introduced us into the Castle where the Emperor's Children were kept, they were then but young, the eldest was not above four years of age. His countenance was promising, we had a sight of the Gardens and Walks full of pleasant Fountains and Rivulets, artificially brought into these high places. The Walks were covered with a Tree not usual in our Country, the branches were twisted one with another in such a manner that no Sun could penetrate them, they were entertained always green, for at the root of the Trees on both sides of the Walk a little Current of fresh water doth always run, that refresheth the roots, and preserveth them from the drought of Summer. It is as delicious a place as any I have seen in Europe, the Children have the liberty to hunt and divert themselves out of the Walls of this Castle, but they are never to go out of the mountains while their Father lives; for that purpose a strict guard is kept at the passage where no man can go or come without leave. It is both narrow and steepy, made with the hand, a few persons are able to keep it from all the world; in the castle are places appointed for the exercise of the youth, and over them they have Masters learned and experienced in all those Sciences and Disciplines that they are to know. Here are excellent Astrologers▪ for that is a Science unto which this Country people is addicted. They have some here learned in the Arabian and Indian Tongues, others that give themselves over to the study of Philosophy and Nature, but very few do trouble their brains with Divinity; this makes them less notional, but more practical, for they know no niceties in Cases of Conscience to excuse their actions and inclinations  
The other Kingdoms are less remarkable, only that of Damut and Goiame are full of Mines of Gold. The Emperor keeps them with above 6000 men in Arms continually. Tegrai and Vangue are mountainous, and peopled with wild beasts & trees more than with men. Xoa is rich and fruitful, but in it nothing else remarkable.   

Of the Religion of the Abyssins', and of the manner of their Discipline.  
THey do all profess the Christian faith with much zeal, the Church of the Queen Candaces, whose name they say was Indich, first brought this Religion into their Country, that was for the most part possessed with the Jewish. St. Thomas afterwards went into that Country, and there did confirm them in the Christian Religion, obliging all the inhabitants by the greatness and number of his Miracles to embrace it. Some opposition he met with from the Grandees that had always retained the Pagan superstitions, especially in the Kingdom of Damut, where there is a mountain that bears yet his name. The Heathens subject to the Emperor of Aethiopia had got him into their possession, and were resolved to make him suffer for the destruction and neglect of their Idols, they had often attempted upon his life, but neither Sword nor Poison could injure his Person, they sought therefore to drown him in a lake, and when that could not procure his death, they shut him up in a Tower built in the top of these unpleasant mountains, where he remained prisoner until an Angel took him from thence, leaving all his keepers dead on the ground, and brought him again to the Imperial Court, where he complained of the violence and unjustice that had been done unto him, which the Emperor going about to revenge, raised an Army to seize upon the King of Damut that had consented to the imprisonment of the Apostle. He remained here many years, until he departed into the Indies, where he preached also the Gospel. He left behind him many thousand Christians, and as they say, he brought unto them the two books, Abelil and Menda, and established here the Discipline that is used amongst them, with all the Ceremonies practised. They and the Capties of Egypt differ much in point of ceremony, but in belief they are Eutycheans as for the most part. Some there are that have true and Orthodox opinions of Christ.  
Here is the form of their belief published in writing amongst them, by which we may judge of them further.  
WE believe in the Name of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are but one Lord; three names, but one Divinity; three faces, but one similitude. The conjunction of the persons is equal in the Divinity, for there is but one Kingdom, one Throne, one Judge, one Charity, one Word, and one Spirit; The word of the Father, & of the Son, and the word of the Holy Ghost and the Son, is the same word; The word with God, and with the holy Spirit, and with himself is the son of the Father, and from the Father without the least deficiency or division, without 〈…〉 y beginning he was the son of his Father without Mother; no body can know the Mystery of his filiation, unless it be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Now this Son was in the beginning the Word, and this Word was the Word with God, and the Word was God. The spirit of the Father the holy Spirit, the spirit of the Son is the ●ame divine Spirit, the holy Spirit is without diminution or increase; this Divine Spirit is called the Comforter, a living God, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, he spoke by the mouth of the Prophets, he descended in a flame of fire upon the Apostles in Zion. They published all over the world, and preached the word of the Father, and this word is the Son Besides, the Father is not first, because he is the Father, nor the Son the last because he is Son, so the Holy Ghost is neither the first nor the last. They are three Persons and one God, that sees all, and is seen of no body, he hath by his own counsel created all things, afterwards the Son for our Salvation, with the consent of the Father, and of the divine Spirit descended from the highest Heavens ●● incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, who was adorned with a twofold Virginity, with a spiritual and carnal. He was born without an● corruption, his Mother Mary remaining a Virgin after his Birth, fo● by a great miracle she brought her Son Jesus Christ without effusion of blood or pangs. He was a just man without sin, perfect God, and perfect man, having but one Person; whe● he was a Child he grew up by degrees, sucking the Milk of his Mother the Virgin Mary, and when he came to be thirty years of age, he was baptised in the River Jordan; As other men he walked, sweat, hungered, thirsted, and was weary. He suffered all things willingly, and shown many miracles. By the power of his Divinity, he restored sight to the blind, he healed the lame, cleansed the lepers, raised the dead; at last of his own accord he was taken prisoner, whipped, buffeted, crucified, he languished and died fo● our si●s; by his death he did overcome death and the Devil; by his sufferings, he satisfied for our sins, and bore our infirmities; with the Baptism of his blood which is that of his death, he baptised the holy Patriarches and Prophets; he descended into Hell, where were the Souls of Adam, and of his Sons, and of Christ himself which is of Adam. This soul of Adam Christ did receive from the Holy Virgin Mary, by the power and Authority of his Divinity, and efficaciousness of his Cross, he broke the strong gates of hell, and of death; he confined Satan to his chains, and redeemed Adam and his Sons. All this Christ did because he was filled with the Divinity, and the Divinity itself was with his soul, and with his most holy body, which Divinity hath granted virtue to the Cross, this Divinity he enjoys common with the Father as he ●● ways did; At last he was buried, 〈…〉 the third day, Jesus Christ the f 〈…〉 of the Resurrection, our greatest delight, the chief Priest Jesus Christ▪ the great King of Israel risen ●● from the dead by his own strength and power. And when all was accomplished that had been foretell by the holy Prophets, he ascended into Heaven with glory, and is sat down at the right hand of the Father; he shall come again with glory, having before him a Cross, and in his hand the Sword of Justice to judge both the quick and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall never be any end. We believe one Catholic and Apostolic Church, we believe one Baptism for the remission of sins, we hope ●or the Resurrection of the dead, and the life of the World to come. Amen.  
This is their Creed, they often do repeat it in their Churches, especially every new Moon, with many gests which they have retained of their former Religions. The Priest that officiates says it alone, and three or four times the people do repeat these words, This is our Faith.  
Since they have had knowledge of the Roman Catholic Religion, they have added something to their Creed by the consent of one of their general Assemblies, for they were careful to hinder their people from receiving any other Opinions than those that they had formerly embraced; for when they saw that our Priests and Jesuits were busy in drawing them to the faith of the Church of Rome; they published a little addition to their Creed, to inform every one of their judgements, & hinder them to receive any opinions which they do not approve of.  
We believe that the Virgin Mary is a pure Virgin, before and after the Birth of Christ; as she is the Mother of God, she ought to be loved and respected accordingly, but we neither worship Her nor pray unto Her. We believe that the Cross of Christ is a useful sign, it was upon it that he suffered for our sins, and purchased unto us Salvation with his own blood; His Cross is a scandal to the Jews, and a folly to the Gentiles, but to us Christians it is in much esteem and honour, we believe that the Cross of Christ is sufficient to redeem us, as S. Paul hath taught us, but the outward sign and use of it we employ more for distinction, than out of duty: And that we may never think it a scorn to wear the badge of our Profession.  
We believe that S. Peter was the first of the Apostles, that the Stone that Christ mentions upon which his Church is built, is his Law and Faith; which Law is established upon the Prophets and Apostles, unto them was granted the power of governing the Church, of binding and losing, and to them was committed the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. But we do not acknowledge the Superiority that his Successors the Popes of Rome do derive from S. Peter; nor do we believe that he ever had any privilege which the others did not enjoy. We believe that the holy Apostles, Saints, and Martyrs that are in glory did follow the footsteps of our Saviour Christ, and that they have received from him the pardon of their sins, as we do. We believe that we must honour them with the holy Angels, but we do not approve of prayers made unto them, nor of the sufficiency of their Merits to benefit us, or the Church of Christ. We believe that it is well done to confess our sins before the Ministers of the Church, for by their prayers we may be assisted and comforted▪ We receive all the books of the Old and New Testament, as they were delivered unto us by S. Thomas, without any addition or innovation. We believe that our Clergy have liberty to Marry, as the Apostles and Disciples of our Saviour were, but that it is not lawful for a Priest to have two Wives or a Concubine. We believe that we are bound to obey in Conscience cur Supreme Lord ●iam Belul, and under him the Abuna of our Church, with all the rest of our Ecclesiastical and Civil Magistrates and Superiors, but no other. We religiously believe that there is a place where the less Regenerate persons do go after this life, which is neither Hell, nor Heaven; what it is, and what the souls do suffer in it, we are not able to define. We believe that none can be saved without the blood of Jesus Christ, that it is sufficient to cleanse us from all our sins, without any other assistance, and that we are not to trust upon the Merits of the Apostles and Saints that were but sinful men as we were. We believe that there shall be a day of Judgement where Christ shall appear in glory to Judge all men; that we must all appear before him to give an account of our actions, and that after that we shall all either go to hell or heaven; the wicked to everlasting burning, and the Righteous to eternal bliss. Amen.  
This is the faith that the subjects of Precious Giam, which we are to maintain until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God grant us grace that we may never forsake it, notwithstanding all the persecutions and persuasions of the enemies of Christianity.  
This addition was lately made, since the Portugueses and other Europeans have traveled into those parts; for when some Religious men did endeavour to persuade the Emperor to submit to the See of Rome, and join with the other Christian Princes in their obedience to the Pope's power. He would never do it, not would never suffer the divulging the opinions which we do embrace in Italy.  
They do believe whatsoever is in their Books called Manda and Abetil, as the Gospel itself; they do fancy that the Apostles and Disciples being assembled together at Jerusalem, did cause them to be written for the benefit of Christianity. In them are contained these precepts.  
To fast every Wednesday in remembrance of the wicked resolution of the Jews made upon that day to crucify Christ.  
To fast every Friday, because on that day Christ was crucified for our sins, on these days it is commanded to fast until the evening.  
To observe forty days Lent, especially the Passion week, and then to feed upon nothing but bread and water.  
To meet together on the Lord's day, and then to hear the Reading of the holy Writings of the Apostles and Prophets, which are to be expounded by some appointed for that purpose.  
To meet also upon the Sabbath-day, and then to spend the time in prayer and holy duties, in which days it is not permitted to do any servile work. The Saturday they keep because God on that day had finished the great Work of the Creation of the world; The Lordsday is also set apart for Religious duties, because Christ on the first day of the week did rise from the dead.  
Several other days of the year are kept holy, some are those that are observed in our Church, others are particular days appointed to continue the Memory of some great deliverances and particular favours which that Church and Empire have received.  
They do believe that in their Festival days; and in the Sabbath and Lordsday, the souls of the damned are released from their torments until the Evening, but that they can never come out of that place of darkness.  
Some thoughts they have of Purgatory, but not as we in the Catholic Church; they do not think that Masses, Prayers, or any other pious actions can convey any benefit to the miserable souls that are there frying in the subterraneous ovens; therefore they never bestow their Estates for the dead, but when they are departed, they leave them to their fortunes, as they do us to ours. One thing is very commendable amongst them; when any are dead that have left some visible estate, they send for the poorest persons of that place, & offer unto them gifts in the name of the deceased; they make a Feast for others better qualified, and spend two or three days in Mirth and jollity at the expenses of the dead; a custom derived from the Scythians, who did thus rejoice when their friends departed out of the world, and did celebrate their entrance into it with the effusion of tears, or rather this practice is derived from the belief of a Resurrection, and the assurance that the party that is dead is free from all the sense of misery and affliction, unto which the living are exposed daily.  
They do not believe that Masses can redeem the souls of men from the punishments unto which they are liable by their miscarriages, therefore they never see the Priest to huddle up before the Altar any prayers for them, nor do the dying persons leave any annual rents for Masses to be said in remembrance of him, or to fetch him out of the flames of Purgatory.  
The Sacrament of the Eucharist they do administer, sometimes every Sunday or Sabbath-day, but as it was anciently practised by the the Christians of Primitive times in both kinds. They are not afraid of that inconvenience that the wise men of our latter days have thought upon, of profaning the blood of Christ upon every unhallowed lip, or by spilling it on the ground, therefore the people do receive with the Priest in a most humble manner, almost prostrate to the ground, before they take it into their hands, they make three bows to express the sacred Trinity of persons, and then with lifted up eyes and hands they eat the wafer, or the bread, and drink of the cup, kissing it before they part with it out of their hands. They have as much reverence for that Sacrament, as we in Italy, but they do not think the bread to be Transubstantiated into flesh, nor the wine into blood, nor do they pay any respect unto it, but only when they do receive it. I did inquire of some of them why they did eat it with that reverence, seeing they did not fancy it other than our ordinary bread; the answer was, that it was consecrated to a holy use, and that some respect was therefore due unto the Elements of Bread and Wine; but when that should not be, the most humble posture was most decent for those that received from Almighty God, so great a favour as the signs of Christ Crucified. They do not preserve either the Bread or Wine upon their Altars (that are much like ours) to another day, nor do they send it to comfort the sick; that custom they do not approve of, because they may so frequently receive it every where, that they do not stand in need of it in so short a time as their sick persons do continue in their crazy estate.  
This custom they have amongst them, that when any hath received the Bread and Wine, he never ventures to spit all that day, but retains all the humidity that flows into his mouth, and swallows it for fear of casting to the ground any part of that Cup that was intended for to increase their faith. This custom is kept so Religiously, that there is a great penalty put upon every one that is seen to suffer any water to go out of his mouth that day, until the evening; he is forced to pay to the poor, and towards the reparations of their Church a large sum of money, and to suffer an imprisonment six days, during which time he hath scarce enough of water allowed unto him to drink. Thus they punish excess or want of abstinence by want of necessaries, a good way to make a man sober. They give the Sacrament not only to men grown up in years, but also to Babes and Children, for they do imagine, that seeing Christ and his Apostles do esteem them holy, of the body of the Church, and commands them to be admitted into the Communion of Christians, that therefore it is lawful to grant unto them the privileges of Christian people, as if they had an actual faith as those that are more aged have. They are ignorant of those great disputes that have lately alarmed Europe, and are not acquainted with theniceties that have put us together by the ears about the Eucharist. They know nothing of Transubstantiation, the words of the Consecration they understand, without any interpretation, that they declare unto us the use and benefits that we are to receive by this Sacrament in the Christian Church. They do not trouble their heads whether personally or virtually, whether corporally or spiritually Christ is present in his Ordinance. They hope for salvation without the knowledge of these curiosities, and I think they will attain unto it before us that are carried by these disputes of the Schools to deadly animosities against our brethren; we had been in Europe very happy, if the liberty of believing in this particular had been left to every one of us, but the Devil cannot fish but in troubled waters, and turbulent men have raised these disputes for their own interest, but could never bring any benefit to the public by them, but ruin and destruction. If like the Abyssin Church, we had not troubled ourselves about trifles, we had spared the blood of many Christian Nations, and might be more ready to oppose the Turk, that daily incroaches upon us. In the celebration of the Sacrament, they use no ceremonies, nor insignificant gestures at the Consecration, but as christ commanded, so they practice; the Bread is of the ordinary bread that they use in those Kingdoms, they take of the better sort for this use, and lay it in a large plate of Gold or Earth of a blue colour, and the Wine is of the juice of the Grape squeezed out of it on purpose. They place both very handsomely upon a Table or Altar at the end of the Church, and after the Consecration, the Priest followed by some Attendants, goes to the several Separations, where he delivers both kinds to them, and they receive them with the greatest expressions of humility and thankfulness imaginable; after all is done, they sing a Hymn in the Church, and the Priest gives them leave to departed with a blessing.  
They baptise both Male and Female, the Male on the tenth day, the Female on the eighth. This Sacrament they often do reiterate, but not out of necessity, but out of a custom that hath continued many hundred years derived as some do conceive from the practice of the Jews, that thought the bodily washing able to contribute to the salvation of the soul. These people therefore that were zealous Professors of that Religion, do yet retain many of their customs, although they do not believe those things that occasioned them at first for that reason they circumcise, they often wash, and to render their washing more beneficial, the Priest on the day of Epiphany repeats over to the persons sprinkled the words of Baptism, I baptise thee in the Name of the Father, etc. All of them do declare that they retain this custom not out of the belief of its necessity, but only because it hath continued so long time amongst them for so many hundred years, they know not how to reform it. But I think that they have no mind to reform or leave it, because it flatters the interest of both Priest and people; for on that day the Prince's officers do make a Feast, and give gifts in the name of their Emperor to several persons, they rejoice and suffer none to do any servile work. This custom is strengthened by a Law very ancient, that whosoever is then baptised should be free from some small impositions that are laid upon them by the Prince. Their former Kings have thus interessed the people in the obedience to their pious commands, so that although they see how the performance is insignificant and useless, nevertheless they do as Religiously observe this custom, as if upon it did depend their eternal salvation; when the Children are baptised, they give the Bread of the Sacrament softened in some Liquor to them.  
Their Religion in general is a mixture of the Jewish and Christian, for they observe many of the Ordinances of the Law of Moses that were merely ceremonial, only because their forefathers did so. This people hath always had a great Veneration for that which is derived unto them by inheritance, and in which they were first educated, so that they dare not venture to alter what was recommended unto them by their Ancestors practice, they wisely foresee the disorders that change would bring amongst them, especially when the customs and ceremonies observed are in themselves indifferent.  
If any be polluted according to the Law of Moses, they forbidden him to enter the Church until twenty four hours be past, and then he must cleanse himself with water.  
For their Churches they have a great Veneration, insomuch, that in them they neither spit nor suffer any unclean creature to enter, when they do go in, they take off their shoes, the reason that they do allege is this, because Moses was commanded to appear before the bush with naked feet, their Temples being as holy as that place on which he did tread, they think themselves obliged to follow the same Religious practice. They will not also suffer any to walk up and down in their Churches, nor to discourse of their private business, nor to laugh, so highly do they reverence them; our people in Italy do profess as much outward respect, but they bear less to the Houses of prayer, for it is ordinary amongst us to make the great Churches a Rendezvous of Lovers instead of praying to a Saint, many whisper their devotions to their Mistresses that are at their sides; and they do return answers accordingly; thus they cheat the world that fancies them at their prayers, and they profane the holy places with unhallowed and lascivious actions. The Abyssins' do show unto such an excellent example of piety and and devotion. They are no l●ss Religious in the other observances of Religion; the water in Baptism it is true they do not sanctify by exorcisms, nor do they mingle any other ingredient, but as the Eunuch of Queen Candaces was Baptised by pure water, so do they dip or sprinkle with the same element free from mixture; all that are baptised, they either dip or sprinkle them, that is left to the pleasure and choice of the Minister as he sees convenient, or as the condition of the child requires he accordingly deals with it And when the child is but besprinkled with water, he is looked upon as well baptised as if he had been washed in the main Ocean over head and ears, for they think not that the quantity of water does bring any advantage to the soul, nor that an entire washing is essential to the Sacrament of baptism, but rather so much only as may suffice to signify the inward washing and cleansing of the mind from all filthy inclination.  
Their circumcision as we have said, they will not leave, but they do not esteem themselves for it, nor do they disesteem other Christians for wanting it, for they are sensible that the ceremony doth not render them more acceptable to Almighty God, nor doth it give them a pre-eminence above others. It were to be wished that Christians over all the world were of their disposition, they would not then curse and damn their brethren for trifles, nor send them to hell because they do not jump with them into the same opinions, and follow the same frivolous customs invented by themselves. A Christian condescension becomes us, we should not rack and send to the flames, men of the same profession, because only they do not join with us in indifferent performances; but my design is not to show the unjustice of the Court of Inquisition, nor the cruelty of our Prelates against the dissenting persons that are scattered all over Italy and Spain, but to declare the practice of the Aethioplan Church, and their moderation.  
They have not that uncharitable opinion of unbaptized Infants as we have, they do not judge them in hell or any other place out of Paradise, because they have not had the happiness to receive the Seal of the Covenant, but they name them half Christians here, and think that heaven is prepared for them as well as for the rest of mankind hereafter, because that they are born of Christian Parents, sanctified from the womb and in the womb, by drawing some nourishment from the Sacrament of the Eucharist when their Mothers do receive it, the least part of that being sufficient to sanctify them.  
They often make use of Confession, not as we do, but in a manner that commends their moderation, their wisdom and modesty. The persons that are to confess do meet the Priest at certain days in the Church before prayers do begin, where they privately confess unto him in general all those sins of which they are guilty; they name them not unless they be heavy upon their consciences, than they consult him about the remedies proper to satisfy themselves, and about the means to avoid such miscarriages for the future. I could never learn that they were tied to this by any other Law, but that which is derived from their own necessity and good; they are not tied to particularise their crimes unless they see it convenient for their comfort and reformation. The Priest assists them in this occasion, assures them of the mercy of God, of the pardon of their sins if they continue in that repentant, sorrow, and if it can produce the amendment of their lives. He prays for them, and then sends them away with a blessing. The woman that is near the time of her travel is wont to seek this comfort from her Ghostly Father. The man that is to undertake some long or perilous journey unloads and discharges his conscience thus to render himself more ready to undergo the hazard. Those that march out with the armies, take with them some word of exhortation and comfort from their Priests, they esteem this custom necessary to them for the maintenance of Christian Religion, and stir up from time to time men's drowsy and sottish spirits in the duties of Religion. By this means also the Priests do creep into the favour of every one, and become necessary in their Generation. We are naturally prone to contempt and sloathfulness in devotion, this practice is most proper to remove and rid us of those vices. Their confessions are more modest, more beneficial and Christianlike than ours are. The Priest doth not by any power granted unto him pretend to absolve them, but he shows them the gracious promises of God in his word, and tells them how pleased he is at repentance, what hopes there are of his mercy, he also warns them to forbear from ill company, and other temptations that do endanger our estate; after confession they receive the Eucharist.  
They acknowledge the Old and New Testament without any addition to them 46 of the old 35 of the new are the number of the books; unto these they think it not lawful to make any addition, but they observe many other things that are not contained in these books. Their Menda and Abetil directs them in the manner of Discipline and Order that is to be observed in those Countries; besides, they obey the constitutions and degrees of their Abuna, and his Clergy, who commonly assemble once in two years at the Imperial Court to consult about the public business, and give such orders as may prevent the mischiefs that the Mahometans and Gentiles do daily plot against them; for their Priests and Religious men do labour to encroach upon the simplicity of the Abyssins', and to abuse their good nature, by making it a means to increase the Professors of their Religion; they disguise themselves into Merchants and other necessary persons, that they might have the liberty to convey, with less difficulty, their venomous Doctrines to the sillypeople whom they Court with all manner of civility. To prevent therefore their designs, and to give order to all the contingencies that do happen in a large Empire very often. This great assembly meets in the presence of their Emperor to consult about the preservation of themselves and of Religion; the Abuna sits in the Chair, unless when the Emperor appears amongst them himself, than the Abuna sits at his feet, and a Throne is erected a purpose for the Neguz, the Clergy, Bishops and other persons called from all the Kingdoms, are round about in a Ring in several ranks; when any is to speak, he riseth from his place and goes forth into the middle, and after an humble obeisance to the Abuna or Emperor, he declares his judgement, the plurality of voices determines the business in hand.  
The affirmative part do lift up their forefinger, and profess at the same time their consent, and if the plurality be on their side above two or three persons, their judgement is good and lawful, otherwise the business is debated until that number be found in either side. Their decrees are confirmed by the Emperor and his Privy Counsel, and nothing is lawful without his consent. He is the only Prince that governs in his dominions, none dares but by force of Arms pretend any jurisdiction over his subjects but himself, therefore he suffers nothing either in Church or State to be obeyed or imposed without his cognizance. The Bishops and Clergy have a power to execute their office, teach the people their duty, and see to their several charges, but they dare not innovate or command the least new thing although it be very necessary, without the Emperor's leave. He commonly declares his pleasure by granting a writing, unto which his Picture is annexed as a Seal, with a great Cross in his left hand, and a sword in his right. This Proclamation is conveyed into those parts that it concerns, where the people do in a most humble manner receive it. When P. Clem. solicited him to submit to the See of Rome, he would never do it, but commanded the Ambassador that had made that proposition, to departed out of his dominions, where he had created a great disturbance, by divulging Doctrines that were not known in those parts before.  
Thus the Emperor is sole Lord of both Spiritual and Temporal, and will not give an account of his actions to any one upon earth. He is respected according to his Authority or Power, none dares oppose or contradict his commands, but they all yield a blind obedience unto them, professing their willingness to submit by kissing on their knees the writing that is brought unto them.  
They make little conscience in the choice of their meats, but because it hath been the custom of their forefathers to abstain from some sorts of flesh, they do imagine that they had some reason to do it which they do not understand, therefore they continue the same customs to this day, they will not eat of any Beast prohibited by Moses to the Jews, nor will they suffer any of them to be killed amongst them unless it be in hunting. If any such creature be dead, they bury him immediately; they will neither eat of flesh torn in pieces, nor that hath been hanged, stifled, or of which some other beast hath been suffered to feed; they will not eat any blood nor flesh where the blood remains; in these particulars, they are Religious observers of the Law of Moses, not out of conscience, but they know not how to leave customs unto which they were bred up from the beginning.  
They have no corporal penalties imposed upon them by their Confessors, unless it be in the Covents and Religious Houses. In the Country those that commit any sin, do suffer for it the reproach of his Neighbour and separation from the Eucharist, until he professes his repentance, which commonly is done at the door of the Churches when the people and the Priest go out, the Penitent presents himself with ashes upon his Head, and a sorrowful countenance confesseth his guilt, promiseth an amendment and restitution of the damage if any be received by the Neighbour, than the Priest absolves him, by declaring that for the time to come he shall have liberty to come to the Lords body. Those that are refractory and obstinate they punish by forbidding their Neighbours to converse with them. Every one observes this so Religiously, that they flee from an excommunicated person, as from a Pestilencious body, so that he is forced unless he will become an Anachoret and run from the conversation of the world, to reconcile himself again to the Church by begging the pardon of his offence. The power of Excommunication is in the Bishop of every Diocese, who is informed by the Priests of every Region or Precinct, of the misdemeanours of the people; when he is rightly informed, not only by the Priest, but also by the congregation, he dispatches an officer called a Shimcru, to give leave to Excommunicate the offending person. The Priest in a full assembly informs the people of his commission, declares unto them the ill behaviour of the person, his wicked life, and the scandal that he had given to his Neighbours, he makes a long discourse of the means employed to recall him of his obstinacy, in despising the Fatherly admonitions that had been made to him; and further shows the danger to let him continue in their Communion. He concludes with an Excommunication, and to render this action more dreadful, he gives leave to the infernal spirits to seize upon such a person, casting into the Air a firebrand▪ with some kind of execration.  
☞ But this kind 
* The Translator.  of severity is not often used, the offences must be very grievous to oblige the Church to cast upon them her thunderbolts, and when she doth it, is done with that precaution, and with that time, that the offender hath leisure to repent, and every one is fully satisfied that it neither proceeds from malice nor design. When men by their open profaneness and horrid crimes do disgrace the Christian profession, when they continue in this manner of life, and declare their contempt of God and his power; It is then only time to separate such from our Communion, who have already separated themselves from Christ, and declared their unworthiness to participate with us in the privileges of Christian Religion. This was the practice of the Apostles, and of the primitive Churches, they did shut them out of Heaven who declared they had no desire to come thither, and published to the rest the esteem that every one was to have of their persons. Amongst them the power of Excommunication was sacred and holy, it was only employed at the extremity when no other means, neither reprehension nor shame could recall men from their abominable vices; It was then esteemed accordingly, men were as fearful to fall under it, as to be cast into the flames of hell. And then it was followed by such effects as did declare the dreadful power of it; the evil spirits did take the excommunicated person into their possession, and did begin to torment him in the same manner that he shall be in hell, so that many times people being sensible of their woeful condition did fall upon their knees, and beg the pardon of the Church. It was also the custom of old Christians never to come near an Excommunicated person, all his acquaintance and friends did shun his company; so that when he did see himself abandoned by every one, shame & grief did work upon him and obliged him to an amendment of life. In the time of the Christian Emperors this power of Excommunication began to be horribly abused and profaned in civil Matters, to satisfy hatred and vengeance, some Bishops did Excommunicate others; at the least displeasure, they would send their adversaries to hell, and suffer no correspondency to be further entertained between them on earth; by this means they did proclaim a public war one against another, and made use of the sacred weapons of Excommunication to make good their quarrel, as if God were bound to espouse their particular interests and sins with them against those for whom they had conceived a displeasure. Victor Bishop of Rome with one thunderbolt of the Vatican was resolved to cast all the Eastern Churches from the hopes of arriving to Heaven. The Bishops of Constantinople Excommunicated those of Alexandria, and they excommunicated them of Constantinople; and in the same City these thunderbolts of Excommunication were heard against several factions, mere scarecrows when ill applied; when Excommunication is abused to promote our secular interests, it is like the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, of the Heathens, or the Canonisation of the Papists, a Chimaera, a vain and frivolous action, if that may be so named, that profanes or disgraces one of the most sacred parts of Religion, and misapply that divine power with which Christ hath entrusted the Rulers of his Church. Let them take heed how and upon whom for the future they employ this holy weapon, for they may by the abuse of it bring a contempt upon themselves and Religion, that all their policy and severity will never be able to remove; I pray God to grant unto those amongst us such Christian wisdom and moderation, that piety may be cherished, and the profaneness discouraged; that peace and unity may Reign amongst us, and that they may advance the interest of Christianity as well as of this or of that faction.  
The Abyssins' never burn an excommunicated person, nor do they use any violence against his Person or Goods, unless he offers to break the public peace, or to pronounce something to the prejudice of the Government, than they lay hold of him and secure him in a convenient Prison. They never make use of excommunication, but in cases that concern the customs and manners of a man, and never then, unless he continues in his evil practices after admonition; when they restore a man to his former privileges, at his repentance, they do not impose any pecuniary or corporal penalty, as we do in Rome, but he is admitted after the Bishop hath been acquainted with it, only by declaring it unto the Congregation with the signs of his repentance; for as much as I could learn they do not think that our purses or our bodily punishments can further our Reception into God's favour, unless the soul be really humbled and contrite. The flagellations and macerations of the body usual in many of our Cities of Spain and Italy, were never seen amongst them unless it be upon the borders of their Kingdoms amongst the Mahometans and Gentiles, whose Religions do recommend unto the Professors of them voluntary penances as high expressions of devotion; but this kind of devotion is not in practice amongst these Christians of Abassia, therefore they know nothing of indulgencies and pardons granted by the Rulers of the Church. This trade was never introduced amongst them.  
They have an excellen order amongst them in the Church. The Abuna is the chief, he is as the Pope in Rome, or as the Archbishop, his power is to command over all the Kingdoms subject to the Neguz in matters of Religion, and to see that the Orders or Decrees of the assembly that meets every other year be obeyed under him. Bishops are appointed in the several Kingdoms, but they do not receive any into holy Orders; That Office belongs to the Abuna, but these Bishops have the power of excommunication, and of reproving the Clergy 〈…〉 o them that behave themselves not well in their function; every Bishop is usually seated in the most considerable place of the Kingdom, where he hath so much Land belonging to him and his office as is able to maintain him in that degree of honour.  
The rest of the Priests own nothing to him out of their allowance; he officiates as the rest, and is no otherwise distinguished from them but by his habit, that is not the same with theirs, and by the respect that every one pays to his gravity, for never any young men are admitted to that honourable place in the Church, only merit assisted by the esteem the people and their Prince have for them, when they come to such an age, that all their youthful inclinations are past, d 〈…〉 Ise them to the Episcopal Chair.  
The Abuna hath some dependency upon the Patriarch of Alexandria, Resident at Grand Cairo. When he is dead the Emperor sends to the Monks of Jerusalem, of the Order of St. Anthony the Hermit; they immediately proceed to the choosing of one fit for so great an employ when he is pitched upon and sent away, he passeth by Grand Cairo, salutes the Patriarch in Egypt, and then Marches on his journey to the Imperial Court, where the Emperor and all the Nobles do welcome him with all expressions of respect and honour. He seldom remains in one place, but often Visits the Kingdoms of the Emperor's dominions, to see and provide to all disorders that do daily happen. The rest of the Bishops are placed or displaced by him, but with the Emperor's consent and appointment, unto whom they may appeal in case injury is done unto them. When there is any vacancy the Emperor grants the Lands and the Office to whom he pleaseth, the Abuna must afterwards approve of the choice; all the degrees of the Clergy are distinguished from one another, and from the people by some badge or habit, which signifies the office that they have undertaken.  

The Translator.  
THis Relation is agreeable to the account that we have formerly received of the Abyssins', written by Damianus Deo ge a Portugese, and received from Zaga Zabo, the Abyssin Ambassador sent from the Neguz into Portugal to King John about the year 1526. Damianus de Goes contracted a Friendship with this Ambassador, and obliged him to discover unto him the customs and Religion of the Christians in Abassia, both Relations do agree in many things, I conceive that De Goes doth favour the interest of the Roman Religion in many particulars, but in others he declares how the Abyssins' are different from the Papists; the Reader may consult the Author, a piece of it is here translated for puklick satisfaction.    

Zagazabo the Emperor of Abassias Ambassador in Portugal.  
AFter that I was come into Portugal, I had often many disputes with certain Doctors, especially Didacus Ortifius Bishop of the Isle of St. Thomas, and Dean, of the King's Chapel, and with Peter Margalho about the choice of Meats. It will not therefore be amiss to speak now something about it. First you must know that according to the Old Testament were observed the Rules for to choose our Meats, which was commanded by God's Word, that did afterwards take flesh of the Virgin Mary, he did walk and converse amongst his Apostles. This word of God is always the fame and ever living, never subject to change, therefore what he commanded should not be eaten because of its uncleanness, he never gave leave afterwards in his Gospel to eat it. It is true, he tells us that what enters in by the mouth; doth not defile the man, but that which proceeds from the mouth, but he doth not say it, that he might contradict what he had before established, but only that he might refute the superstition of the Jews that did reprove the Apostles for eating with unwashed hands. And the Apostles themselves whiles they lived with our Saviour Christ Jesus, never made use of unclean beasts, nor did ever taste of those things that we●● prohibited in the Law, and no●● of them did offer to transgress i● this particular. After our Saviour Passion when the Apostles beg●● to preach the Gospel, none 〈…〉 ever prove by the Sacred Records that they did ever eat or kill 〈…〉 unclean beast. It is true, St. P 〈…〉 saith, whatsoever comes in t●● shambles eat, inquire not of it 〈…〉 conscience sake; after that 〈…〉 saith, if any unbeliever doth inus you to a Feast and you have ● mind to go, of whatsoever is p 〈…〉 before you eat, enquiring after nothing because of conscience. Again, if any shall say this was sacrificed to an Idol, do not eat of 〈…〉 because of him that told thee, an● because of conscience, etc. Al● this St. Paul saith to please the● that were not sufficiently confirmed in the faith, because between them and the Jews there were many disputes and contentions; to the end that he might appease them, he sided with, and laboured to please the Christians that were not confirmed in the faith. This he did not to break the Law, but only by granting something of the ceremonies, he might win them to the faith. The same Apostle saith, Let him that eateth not despise him that eateth, ●or him that eateth not judge him that eateth; for he that eateth, eateth to the Lord, and he that eateth not, eateth not to the Lord.  
Therefore it is an unworthy act to reprove foreign Christians so fiercely and in a hostile manner, as I have been for this and other matters that concern not true faith. It were more wisely done to bear with such Christian men as the Greeks, Armenians, and Ethiopians are, to treat them with kindness and charity, and to suffer them to live and converse with other Christians, for we are all baptised in the same baptism, and subscribe unanimously to the same belief. There is no cause wherefore any should so furiously dispute about ceremonies, let every one observe his own without hatred and railing one against another, for that the correspondency between Churches should not be interrupted, if afar off they use customs in those Provinces proper to the place and genius of the people. Besides, we have in the Acts of the Apostles, how Peter saw the Heavens opened, and a certain vessel come down like a great sheet bending on the four corners to the earth, in the which were all sorts of fourfooted Beasts and Serpents of the earth, with the Fowls of the Air, unto him the voice did say, Rise Peter and eat, unto whom Peter answered, Far be it from me Lord, for I never did eat any common or unclean thing. The voice answered him, What God hath purified do not thou call it unclean; which being often repeated, the vessel was taken up into Heaven.  
These things being done, the spirit sent him to Caesarea to Cornelius a pious man, and one that did fear God, unto whom as Peter did preach: The Holy Ghost fell upon all that heard the word of God, and Peter did baptise, etc.  
This Vision is thus interpreted by us in Ethiopia, the clean Beasts are the Children of Israel, the unclean the Gentiles, who are thus called, because they are worshippers of Idols, and act the unclean works of the Devil. And whereas the voice said unto Peter, Peter rise and kill, we thus understand it, Peter, Baptise, Eat; that is, preach and publish the faith and the Law of our Lord Jesus Christ to the people of Israel, and to the Gentiles. It is certain that it can never be found, that Peter, or any other of the Apostles did either kill or eat unclean Beasts after this Vision. Now when the Scripture mentions food, in several places it intends to signify unto us Christ and his Doctrine; we must not therefore understand it of any corporal or nourishing food. All the learned do agree that this sheet that was shown unto Peter, did teach him high and sublime matters, and not the inferior things of the world that relate not to our salvation, neither are we to gather from thence that we have liberty to eat of unclean things, seeing that can never be gathered out of Scripture; wherefore do the Apostles amongst the Decrees of their Council command us not to eat of creatures hanged, strangled, ●orn in pieces, or half eaten by other beasts, or of blood; for God loves cleanness and sobriety, and hates gluttonness, and uncleanness. God loves them also that abstain from flesh, and much more them that feed upon bread and herbs, and are content with water, as St. John Baptist that lived a Hermit beyond Jordan, he always fed upon herbs, St. Paul the Hermit led a sparing life in the desert 80 years, St. Anthony, and St. Macarius, and many of their followers never tasted any flesh. Therefore my brethren you must not contemn, nor revile us, for St. James saith, he that speaks evil of his brother, or Judges his bother, speaks evil of the Law, and Judges of the Law; and S. Paul advises to be content with our own traditions, and not to dis-pute about the Law of Moses with Christians, wherefore it is not handsome to quarrel with our brethren about the Law, or the choice of Meats, for meats do not render us more or less acceptable to God; therefore let us seek after the heavenly food, and set aside these frivolous disputations about meats.  
These things that I have here written about traditions, proceed not out of an itch of disputation, nor out of contention, but only that I might justify my own people from the cruel accusations of many who having no respect for my Master the most Potent Emperor Precious Giam, ●or for us his subjects, do revile us and call us Jews and Mahometans, because we observe the Saturday as the Jews, and fast till Evening as the Mahometans; they say these things should not be done by Christians, they do also complain against us for the Marriage of our Clergy, who have the same liberty as the other people: and because we are rebaptized every year, as if we did distrust the efficacy of the first baptism, because we circumcise men and women, which custom the Jews do not observe so punctually; because we keep the Law of Moses in the choice of meats; and because we judge more charitably of Christian children before baptism than they do, and esteem them not as Pagans, but as half Christians. I have been forced to publish this that I might justify my own people from their slanders that accuse us, and that I might oblige the Doctors of the Church of Rome to be the more kind to us. I know not by what Religious instinct they have been moved to forbid me to participate with them in the Body and Blood of Christ in the Sacrament, since I am come into Portugal, neither do I know wherefore I am esteemed amongst my Christian brethren as a Heathen and an excommunicated person which hath caused me much grief, but to him that sees and Judges all things I remit my cause.  
I am not sent by my most mighty Lord the Emperor of Ethiopia, to the Bishop of Rome, and the most Serene Prince John King of Portugal, only to entertain them with disputations; but to conclude a firm league, and open a correspondency between them, not to discourse about humane traditions, but to inquire about the errors of Arrius the Prince of Heretics, and know whether the Christians of Europe do join with us in opposing his opinions; and further, that I might know whether it be the custom of the European Christians to assemble in Counsel twice every year about Matters of faith, as the Apostles have commanded in their Synodial book, the first assembly they order to be met on the day of Pentecosts, the second on the tenth of October.  
Besides, I am come to know how we agree about the errors of Macedonius of Nestorius, and of Eutiches; about the last the Council of Calcedone assembled, but the Bishops broke up the assembly before any Conclusion, retaining their own opinions; My Lord, the most Mighty Emperor hath-all the books of the General Council's, and is much grieved, so are all his subjects; for the discords and errors, these Tares that the Devil hath sown in the Lord's field; the Bishop of Rome, we have always est comedus, the first and most powerful Bishop of the world, and were it not for the Mahometans, whose Country being between us, do hinder our passage, & for the great distance of places, we should send to his Court very often. King Emanuel of blessed Memory did first open a way to us from the Red sea, etc.  
Having spoken of these things, I will say something of our Emperor, & of our Patriarch. You must know first, that our Patriarch is thus solemnly elected by and out of our Monks of Jerusalem that there do dwell at the Sepulchre of our Lord. When the old Patriarch is dead, the Emperor dispatches away with all speed an express to the Monks that live at Jerusalem, as soon as they have received the news of the death of the Abuna with the Presents that the Emperor sends to our Saviour's Sepulchre, they proceed to the election of another Abuna, whom they choose by the plurality of voices. It is not lawful to pitch upon another for that office, but only upon an Inhabitant of Alexandria, and upon one whose life is irreproachable. When they have chosen him, they give unto him his dispatches with the messenger that came to give them notice of the former Abuna's death. They go together to Grand Cairo, to meet the Egyptian Patriarch that hath there his ordinary residence, to the end that he may be acquainted with the election. The Patriarch when he approves of the sufficiency of the person for so eminent an office; he sends him into Ethiopia with the messenger, who must always be according to the ancient custom, a Monk of the Order of St. Anthony the Hermit, with him this messenger hasten● towards Ethiopia, wherewith all expressions of joy and honour they are received of all men. Sometimes a year or two passes before this business can be dispatched. In the mean while the Neguz disposes of the great Revenue of the Abuna according to his pleasure. Now the chief office of an Abuna, is to confer Holy Orders, none but he can give them, or aught to take them away, or degrade the Priests. He never affects to meddle with the giving of Bishoprics, or of Benefices that do belong to the Precious ●iam, who may do with them according to his pleasure. And when the Patriarch or Abuna is dead the Emperor is the Heir of his Estate, which is very great. It belongs also to the Patriarch to excommunicate contumacious offenders. He never grants any Indulgencies of those penalties that are imposed for grievous faults. The Sacraments of the Church are never prohibited to any unless it be for the crime of Murder. Our Patriarch is called in our language Abuna, he that is at present in this place is called at his baptism Mark; a man aged of about 100 years. Moreover it is to be noted that we begin the year the first of September, which is with us the Eve of St. John Baptists day, the rest of the Feast days we keep at the same time that they are kept by the Church of Rome. We must not omit that St. Philip the Apostle came into our Country, and did there preach the Gospel of our Saviour Christ.  
You must further know the name of our Emperor, that it is Precious John or ●iam, and no● Priest John, as here it is falsely reported; for it is written in our language ●iam Belul, that is, Precius or high John in the Chaldaique Language, it is written John E●coe, which hath the same interpretation Precious or excellent John. He is not to be named Emperor of the Abyssins', as Matth. hath written, but of the Ethiopians. He being an Armenian, could not know our affairs perfectly, especially those that concern our Religion; for that reason he declared many things to King Emanuel of happy Memory, which are not so amongst us, not out of any design of deceiving him, for ●e was a good man, but because ●e was well acquainted with our Religion.  
The Empire many times doth ●ot fall to the share of the Eldest Son of the Emperor, but to him ●nto whom the Father will give ●●. He that now governs is the ●hird Son of the last Emperor, ●e hath deserved that honour by ●is piety and respect which he had ●or his Father; for when he was ●pon his deathbed, he commanded all his Sons one after another ●o sit upon the Imperial Throne, which they did, he only excepted; Far be it from me, said he, that I ●hould ascend to the Seat of my Lord and Father, which pious mo●esty procured him the Empire ●●om his Father; his name is David, his Empire is very large, and contains both Christians and Heathens. In it are many Kings and Princes, Earls, Barons, Grandees and much Nobility, that is more 〈…〉 obedient to him. Gold and Silver are given and exchanged by weight. Amongst us are many Towns and Cities, but not such as I have seen in Portugal, because Precious Giam doth always live i● a flying Camp, and in Tents▪ This Custom is observed, that the Nobility might exercise themselves continually in Military Actions, for we are surrounded on all with sides the enemies of our faith with whom we have often many Conflicts, always, or for the most part with success, through the goodness of God.  
This is the account Zaga Za●i gives of his own Country, his Relation may be consulted by those that desire more satisfaction; for brevity sake, much of it is omitted. Scaliger in the eighth Book of his de Emendatione temporum, speaks thus of the Ethiopians.  
We have not been the first that have heard of the Ethiopian Chri 〈…〉 ans, for they have Churches, not only in Constantinople, but also at Rome and Venice, where for a while they have had liberty to perform their devotions. From the Voyages of the Portugueses, and the Journal of Francis Alvarez, who passed into the heart of Ethiopia, many things may be known of them, and of their customs; until this time we have heard only of the name of Ethiopia, but it is strange that in the time of our forefathers, we first heard that there were Ethiopians from those of Asia; for about 300 years ago they did command in Asia, especially Drangiana upon the confines of Sufiana, also in India, and amongst the Chinenses a great Continent, until the Emperors of the Tartars did drive them out of Asia; for the Abyssins' being vanquished, were driven out of China by Cingi King of the Tartars, when Uncam the great Emperor of Ethiopia was killed Afterwards Cincan Son of Cingis, and his Son Bathin Can, Emperors of the Tartars, pursued the Abyssins', and forced them out of Moni and all the Region of the Chinenses, and obliged them to return into Africa. We may at present wonder that this Nation should be so ignorant of the Art of Navigation, who was so powerful by Sea, and by Land, that it commanded from Ethiopia as far as China; from that time we have heard of the Emperor of Ethiopia by the name of Prestegiani, which in the Persian language (that is in Asia as universal as the Latin is in Europe) signifies Apostolic. Padescha Prestegiani, the Apostolic King, that is, the Christian King. The Arabians call him Melich Ressuli, and the Ethiopians, Negusch Chawariawi. There are many Crosses yet standing in Asia, in Japan, China, and other places, that declare how large the Empire of the Ethiopians was in that Continent; besides, in Malabar there is a Temple of St. Thomas yet to be seen, that is of the Structure and manner of building of the Ethiopians.   

A Continuation of Segn. ●. Barat 〈…〉 Of the Growth and Commodities of the Country.  
THis Country stretches 〈…〉 self about eight degrees North, and as many South from the Line; So that it lies exposed to the fury of the Sun beams. The soil nevertheless in many places is extreme fruitful, and the ay● temperate, especially towards the Evening, than the great Dew● come to refresh the herbs and fruits that the parching Sun had injured. Part of this Country is very barren and incommodious for habitation, sometimes we have felt such extreme heats, that it was not possible to subsist out of the shade, and about six miles further between the Mountains and amongst the trees, we had such a pleasant air, that I never saw any more temperate in Europe. I met with a great many Lakes and fresh Rivers, especially upon the borders of Tigremahon, where the ground yields all manner of Fruit, Trees, and Corn; Pomegranates of extraordinary bigness, Apples, Pears, Peaches, and Apricocks are very small, but of a very pleasant taste. They have here a Fruit that they call Cavashau that grows in their Gardens, it is very delicious, and much like unto our little Muskmellons▪ but of a contrary taste. The Abyssins' make a great account of it in their Feasts.  
The Corn of this Country is very good, bigger than that of Italy in most places. They have Beans, Pease, Lentils, Barley, Wheat, and all sorts of Grains, but where the Country is so dry and barren that it will not answer the labour of the Husbandman nature hath provided instead o● Corn, a wild Grain called Taf● Deguza, of this the Inhabitants make a Bread which is as course and unpleasant as the Climate.  
In many places Oranges and Lemons grow naturally in the Woods; here is also many Trees that yield an odoriferous smell▪ and a great deal of Brazil-wood, Sugar Canes in great abundance, which the Inhabitants do make use of not as we do, for they have not the Art to extract the Sugar, but they feed upon them raw.  
They have no Oil nor Olive Trees, but an Herb that serve● them instead of Olives, it is called Henar, they steep it and draw out the juice that looks like Gold, very beautiful to the eye, and n● less pleasant to the taste, for the Oil or Liquor extracted from it hath neither smell nor taste, and is very fat as Oil uses to be; so that the Inhabitants are by that means supplied with that which serves them as well as the best Oil of Italy.  
The Woods and Rocks are full of Bees, so that they have much Honey and Wax, with which they make Candles, for they have no Tallow, because they do not kill many tame Beasts. Here is a great Trade of Raw Silks and Stuffs which the Blacks fetch from hence to carry into their Country, where no Trees are to be found to harbour the Silkworm. Upon the confines of the Neguz dominions near the Kingdom of Damut are Mines of Gold about the lake, out of which the River Niger proceeds, so that this river carries away some of the sandy part, and rowls it with the stream that is extreme fierce, (for it falls from high Mountains) and runs with a great impetuosity to the main Ocean; upon the sand the Negers do pick up much Gold which crumbles from the Rocks, and proceeds out of the Mines that are dispersed all over the Country.  
The N 〈…〉 hath people daily at work in them, they are commonly men taken Captives from their Enemies. When the Ethiopians go out to War, they save the lives of all those that submit themselves to their mercy, and send them to these places to prepare the Gold, and fit it for the use of the people.  
Some Silver Mines are also here, but not so many as of Gold, for the hot country is not so proper for that kind of Oar. The parching Sun is more powerful in this Climate in the bosom of the earth, so that all the ground that is proper for the substance of Gold, it turns it into this Metal. The Mines are not so deep as in other Kingdoms, they are much like unto our Quarries of Stone in Italy. The Stone or Rock with which the Gold is mingled is very sandy, so that it will crumble without any difficulty. The mine doth usually run in a vain, it is easy to distinguish it by the colour, which is distinct from the other part of the Rock. The Inhabitants say that all along the River that bursts forth of the Lake Laira, many such Golden Quarries are to be found, so that the violence of the stream doth sometimes unloose the more precious part from the rest, and carry it away to the great benefit of the Inhabitants, who gather it up along the shore after great Rains; and afterwards they carry it to Gui●y, or to Mozambique, and other places of note where Merchants resort. In the Land towards the Country of the Blacks, lives a people very deformed and misshapen, different from the rest of men, not in the main composition of the body, but in the disproportion of the parts. They do not love to appear amongst persons that have the true form of men; necessity constrains them to entertain a Trade, which they do in such a strange manner, that they are not like to the rest of Nations. They inhabit the Country called Guangara and Media, it is mountainous and inconvenient for passengers, whom they never suffer to go through their dominions. The River Niger, so full of Gold passeth along their Territories, and furnishes them with that Commodity, to exchange for those other Commodities that nature requires, and that they have not in such plenty as their Neighbours. It is a business of difficulty to speak with some of them they are so savage. Those that Trade upon the River, may Land their Goods and see them afar off, but they seldom do show themselves. They are very just in their deal, and will not wrong strangers of a farthing, which if they did, it might put a stop to their Trade, without which they cannot probably live▪ They seem to have some Government amongst them, for upon the mountains, places are fortified, and the passages blocked up, and they have been seen to observe a Decorum in their manner of Life and behaviour.  
From this place many Nations of Europe have their Golden dust, for the ships go up the River many hundred leagues to Trade with this obscure sort of people, who show themselves afar off, leaving with their Merchandise such tokens and signs, that may express their demands, but they always retreat at the same time into the Woods, and will not suffer any to come near. This hath been related to me for certain by many eye-witnesses, and by persons of Credit and Worth; this is a strange sort of people, which none of their Neighbours can certainly know.  
Ethiopia yields many other Commodities, Hides are very plentiful, especially of the wild Beasts and Buff-skins, which in this Country are bigger and thicker than in any other. Here are stuffs made of the Bark of the Indian-tree that grows also here in every place; the common people are employed to fit it for sale and work. Some Spices, Drugs, and Roots do naturally come forth in this Climate called by the ancients the Torrid Zone. The Merchants of Adel, and Mozambique, and of other places adjoining to the Sea do enter into the Land in times of Peace to Trade with the Inhabitants and fetch from them their Commodities, to convey them afterwards to the Seaside, where the Moors, the Arabs, and Banyans of the Indies do meet them, with the Factors of other Nations, to take from them their Goods. Now this is the policy of all the Princes that keep the Sea shore, not to suffer an Abyssin unless he be an Apostate to have liberty to Trade out of the Country of the Neguz, of whose power they are very jealous, lest he should recover again the Dominion of the Sea, which he hath lost, with all his Ships and Seaport Towns, some few years since. When he offers to stir, all his Neighbours do join together to force him into his bounds, for he is looked upon as their common enemy. Some nevertheless of the Abyssin Monks have correspondency with the Indians and Chineses, but it is only for those Merchandises that are for the supply of their own territories.   

A short Relation of some of their Emperors found in an ancient Ethiopian Record▪ that the Author hath brought with him into Itaty.  
THis Empire is very ancient, and was as large in its first beginning, the people were warlike, encroaching daily upon their Neighbours, especially upon those that live in Egypt, and about the River Nilus. The Egyptians have had continual wars with them. In the time of the Pharaoh's our Emperors were famous; Moses the Lawgiver of the children of Israel was the General of Pharaoh, or of King of Egypt, he was ordered to march with a party of Israelites against Mouchadir Emperor of Ethiopia, he readily obeyed, and with a small party he routed the great Army of our Emperor, not s● much by valour as by the assistance of a divine power; the King of Egypt was grown jealous of him and of his people, and therefore he sent them to this war, hoping to free himself from his fears by the swords of the Ethiopians, who were become terrible to all their Neighbours, but God caused that which was intended for the mischief of the Israelites to turn to their advantage, for by the Victory, they purchased unto themselves the esteem and admiration of all their enemies. It is true, that the King did then begin to vex the Children of Israel with hard burdens and grievous taxes, thinking by that means to weaken their spirits, and disable them from in●uring either himself or any other, but this also turned to their benefit, for it procured their freedom, and the ensuing miracles that forced it from those that kept them in bondage. When the Egyptians were overthrown, the Ethiopians had wonderful success against them, they subdued all the Country as far as Thebis bordering upon the Red Sea, but about thirty years afterwards there risen a King of Egypt that was valiant in war that recovered with his small numbers of men, all the dominions belonging to his Predecessors, as far as the Mountains where the River Nilus hath a terrible downfall. In his race it continued until the time of Cambyses who entered Egypt, and conquered it, but could never subdue Ethiopia; for when he sent his Ambassadors to our Emperor, they were sent back with a defiance of his Power, as he was passing over some of the sandy hills between Ethiopia and Egypt with some of his Troops, they lost a great number of men in a storm of wind, for they were there buried alive; some of them saved themselves with their King out of the violent storm, but this overthrow prevented his coming into our Country, where our Emperor expected him with all his people. The wind did fight for us against our enemies, it saved us the trouble and hazard of venturing against them with our swords.  
In the time of King Solomon, our Empire was governed by Queen Maqueda, she sent Ambassadors to him, and afterwards went to visit him herself, she was kindly entertained at her return, she was brought to bed of a Son which she had by Solomon, called Melich, she brought Circumcision into the Land, and laid the foundations of the Jewish Religion, which her Son afterwards when he was come from Jerusalem did establish, commanding all people under his command to receive it. After him many Kings did Reign in Ethiopia, the most famous was Ubsharem, Habraini, David the 1 Solomon, the 1 and many others. The Sceptre hath always continued in the same race since that time until now. Ubsharem was a warlike Prince, he conquered all the Provinces as far as the Sea-coast Southwards, and made all the Kings his Neighbours to send Presents to him, but when he was forty years old he grew amorous and wanton, so that his new conquered subjects took advantage of him in a Battle, where he lost all that he had conquered with his life, his successor laboured to revenge this affront, but in vain, until the days of David the first, none ever did recover the vast dominions that did formerly own the Ethiop. Sceptre. This Prince was wise and very politic, sufficiently qualified to fit at the Helm of State, but he was no Warrior for want of Courage; to manage the affairs in desperate occasions, he appointed a General, Zecharia, a stout man that did perform the Office of his Prince in this particular. He was very successful against all our Neighbours, especially against the Blacks that inhabit beyond the sands, their Princes came to do homage unto our mighty Emperor, and to pay their yearly tribute; they continued in their obedience many years, until the Reign of Joseph the third, a Prince that was given to all manner of debauchery, he Reigned ten years, and was afterwards killed by his chief Officers▪ who were willing to preserve the State from total ruin; which would have happened had he continued longer upon the Throne, for he did not only permit, but also invite the enemies of the Empire to enter into his dominions, that they might revenge him of those Princes that he did not love, and that he did not dare to punish himself, therefore he made use of the stranger's weapons to vex them that he could not otherwise overcome. From that time we have nothing remarkable, until Christ's death at Jerusalem; for all the Princes that did rule until that time were neither good nor bad, they contented themselves with their own limits, and if they did lose any part of their possessions, they never made any great noise by raising their Armies to retake them. Queen Candace was a most pious and Religious Woman, her Eunuch of the Race of Black a-Moors did follow her steps, he made his Pilgrimage to Jerusalem every five years from that place, he brought the Christian faith that did daily increase, insomuch that not one was found opposing it within two hundred years after. The eldest Son of Candace, for whom she did govern was Shediahr, a mostvertuous man, he encouraged Christian Religion in his dominions, but would never suffer the old ceremonies to be abolished, so that since, the Jewish and Christian are mingled together; he pulled down many Idol Temples upon the borders, which caused the revolt of some of his most superstitious subjects, but one battle brought them under his command again. His Son was Adreschek, he succeeded his father when he was but sixteen years of Age. A certain Heathen Priest had crept into his favour so much, that for his sake he did labour to oppose the success of the Christian and the continuance of the Jewish Religion in Ethiopia. His Princes could not suffer him long, they conspired against him, and placed his young brother in his place, but him they sent into the Kingdom of Damut, into a close Prison that hath always been in those parts; he did afterwards escape out of it and fled to the Blacks, who did come against Ethiopia with a strong Army, but they were vanquished and forced to suffer their Fugitive Prince to become a Prisoner again. The eldest Son of this King was an accomplished Prince, so that his Uncle had some jealousy of him, & therefore clapped him in a close prison with his Father, but when he was dead, the Grandees fetched him out of his confinement, and raised him to the Throne during the life of his Father, who consented to the promotion of his Son. After him Absalon was a famous Prince, renowned for his careful provision against the enemy's incursions, for he caused certain Forts to be built in convenient places to bridle them in. They were afterwards neglected and ruinated by the Wars. He first began to encourage Shipping, by offering great advantages to the Mariners and men that did study the Art of Navigation. This good policy caused all the idle persons to render themselves excellent in the Sea affairs, and laid the Foundation to that greatness, unto which the Ethiopian Empire did afterwards rise.  
Benjamin Reigned forty years, about the year 600 after Christ, from his time we have a good account of all our Kings, but before none are named but those that have been excellent for some virtue, or infamous by their notable vices. This Prince was full of piety, he reform the disorders of the Clergy, and put them in that form of Government in which they are at present; before, the persons that did wait upon the Worship of God, had no settled allowance; the people gave them what they pleased, so that unless they did work as other people for their live, they were reduced to great necessities, which nevertheless did happen in many places, for he that depends upon his people's kindness, shall be enentertained with course Diet; unto this great evil that entroduces many others in a Nation; this Religious Prince did bring a Remedy. As he was the sole Lord of all the Lands of his Empire, and that none enjoyed them but from him, he caused such a quantity of ground to be set apart for the maintenance of the Priests and Bishops, as might entertain them with the yearly Revenue, and caused this Land to be separated from the rest, by granting unto it the privilege of immunity from all saxes and Imposts, so that they depend no longer upon the Crown. This liberality redeemed the Clergy from contempt, and raised them in the esteem of the people, that usually treats them, not according to their desert, but according to that State that they maintain.  
After the good Prince, his second Son Hechakiah did Reign, he followed his Father's footsteps, therefore he was blessed with a prosperous Reign, his greatest enemies did respect him, he continued in the Throne about thirty five years, and a few months.  
His Brother Abraham the first, succeeded, he held the Sceptre ten years, and then left it to his Son, with all the Wealth his Brother had gotten.  
His Son's name was Haroahki, a Warlike Prince, he began to leave the Cities, and to pass his time in Tents, for in the beginning of his Reign all the Nations subject to the Neguz, began to revolt from him, he could not appease the tumult so soon; he was therefore forced to live in the Camp, and to be in continual action all the time of his Reign. He caused it to be enacted for the security of the State, that the Ethiopian Emperor should never spend above six days in a Walled Town at a time, but should live in the open Field. All the Nobility that doth follow the Prince's custom, imitates him in this particular. They look upon it as a great expression of weakness and fear to run into a fortified place. This hath caused them to neglect such places, and suffer them to be dismantled by time, so that at present in all the Empire there are but few Walled Towns, and they are so pitiful that the weakest enemy might storm them. In the time of this Prince, Trade and Shipping did mightily increase, so that he was dreadful to his Neighbours, when he had governed the Empire twenty six years, he died.  
H●li his Son succeeded him, he was the youngest, his Father had for him a great kindness which was increased by his address and handsome behaviour. His elder brethren were set aside, and he was raised upon the Throne, he was very happy all his time, and enjoyed a firm peace with most of his Neighbours, he continued Emperor forty seven years and three months. After him Hell the second Melach, Charvah, Bou●i, Grimshach, Habraim ●. etc. with about thirty Kings are to be reckoned from that time to the year, 936. In which year the Ethiopian Emperors that were grown so potent by Land, adventured to enlarge their dominions by Sea in Asia; for that intent David Emperor of Ethiopia, prepared a Fleet of above 500 Sail of ships small and great to transport his Army, composed of 60000 Men, both Horse and Foot; with this numerous Army he Landed in Arabia, and conquered all that part of the Country that lies upon the Seashore. The Abyssins' sound their abode in Asia far more pleasant than in Africa, therefore great numbers of men went over and passed the Seas into the new conquests. The Persians and Arabians did oppose their designs, but our Emperor being there in person, did so order his business that all the Forces that were sent against us were routed, many battles were fought between us with various success.  
The last was near the place where the River Euphrates discharges itself into the Sea, seven Kings were met upon the place with all the men that they could conveniently bring to withstand our Emperor. The enemies reckoned about two hundred thousand men in their Army; we had then about forty thousand, this unequal number did encounter them, and by the wonderful goodness of God they did overcome them. This Victory opened a way to our success in Asia, for it rendered the name of Ethiopia most terrible, so that none did dare to meet us with equal numbers of men, every year our people sent great numbers of men with their Families, to inhabit in Asia, and by that means to secure their interest from the ancient Inhabitants by force of Arms. The next that succeeded in the Empire was Uncan I. A man no less Valorous than his Father, a great lover of Learning and of the Learned men, he enlarged his dominions beyond the River Indus, and conquered all that part of the Country that is so fruitful, that the Asiatiques esteem it the best and most fruitful Province of that part of the world. This Prince had several encounters with his Neighbours 〈…〉 Asia, where he made for the more 〈…〉 part his residence. In one the King of Malabar came against him with 40000 Foot and Horse▪ The Ethiopians were full of valove and courage, but the numbers of their enemies put them to great straits, so that they offered to render themselves into their hands in case they would suffer them quietly to departed with their lives saved. The enemy would not accept of that offer, to his own detriment, for ours being refused the condition proposed, and seeing nothing but death, or at least but bondage and misery prepared for them and their Prince, they tool courage, encountered the enemy with a great resolution broke the first ranks of them, and then pursued them with that fury, that they left not killing until the whole multitude with their King at their head fled away, leaving all their own spoils, and the Goods that they had taken in the former advantages they had had against our Emperor. Several Emperors did succeed him, but not to his Fortune and Success unless it be Joseph, 3. Judahr, Macarius, and Paulus. They carried the terror of our Arms into China, and there possessed themselves of many large Provinces which we enjoyed until the year 1436. The Tartars about that time made some Inroads into China, and finding the Climate good, and the Country fruitful, they invited their Countrymen into those Regions. Some few years after they had gathered a numerous Army to enter China, they conquered the Emperor of that Country, who had desired our assistance against them, we complied with their desires, our Emperor sent 30000 men to their assistance, but by the stratagems and valour of the Tartars, our men were almost all slain. The Chinenses being destitute of that succour, yielded themselves to the mercy of the Conquerors, who thought upon nothing but how to revenge themselves upon us; they came therefore with their own forces, & with those that they had gathered in the Country, and drive out our people out of China, giving no quarter to those that submitted to them. There arose some dispute between some of our Generals at that time, that assisted the Tartars against us, so that when Uncan was killed in a battle by Cingi the Tartar Prince, all our Countrymen left Asia, with all hopes of returning thither again. Since, we have had many grievous encounters with our enemies the Mahometans and Gentiles, who have sometimes persecuted us into the heart of the Country when they took us at an advantage. About the year 1434 the King of Adel with many of our Neighbours stormed our Seaport Towns when our Emperor was but young, and so shut us in, that we have no place to entertain Commerce with any Nation without their leave.  
In the year of our Lord several Portugueses came from Goa into our Country, our Emperor dispatched away some Ambassadors with them to Rome and Portugal, 1486 came into Ethiopia from John King of Portugal, Pedro de C●●ilham ec a lenzo de Pavia to Alexander our Neguz, that treated them well.  
Claudius' succeeded Alexander, and after him Adamas, who was inclined to favour the Heathens superstitions, he persecuted the Christians, but met at last with a just Reward of his Actions, for he was killed by his enemies in a battle.   
FINIS.   

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bourn's Directions concerning Marriage 1 s.  
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FINIS.