'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1865 to December 1867. (Edited by the Honorary Secretary.) Volume XVIII.' [‎2] (137/268)

U i
i'S
4',-. "2
!i|r
Wb u.Fff luSWiUHHN
2 GLEANINGS AS TO THE
by ravines of from two to four thousand feet deep, thus causing, as it
W ere ? a series of plateau, which consist of most excellent laud, more or
less cultivated for the growth of cereals, of which the piincipal are
iowaree, barley, and maize; from the former, the bread commonly used
is prepared ; the method of preparation is very simple and expeditious.
The seed having been crushed between a couple ot rough stones, ig
mixed with water, roughly kneaded into dough; the nearest stone is
thrown into the tire, heated, and extracted again ; the dough is made
to cover the stone ; the tire is removed ; the dough is placed in tlie
embers, baked, and removed in five minutes; it is then opened, the
stone permitted to fall out, and the result is what the natives call
“ teffjust at the present, however, the grain throughout Abyssinia
is considered very high in price : and, indeed, a famine threatened,
owing to flights of locusts in the spring having destroyed nearly tlie
whole vegetation : and another active cause may probably be tlie
complete state of anarchy in which the whole country is plunged, and
the unwillingness of the peasantry to cultivate their land ; knowing as
they do that if successful in their harvest, it would simply bring more
tyranny upon them-
The present King, Theodoras, has won the throne by repeated
conquests, having been originally of inferior position. He was formerly
employed by the mother of lias Ally, as tax-collector in a small and
remote province, and it would seem that at her death the idea of
conquering the (at that time) three kingdoms of Abyssinia, and
reducing the whole under his sole rule, first took possession of him;
from that time to the present, his victories have been so marvellous,
and his rule so despotic, that the soldiery (it is said) really believe him
to be invincible, and fight with the most reckless bravery under liis
command.
The troops are never paid, and when at last they become so clamo*
rous for money that there can be no more delay, or when a party of
troops meet with the particular approbation of the King, it is Hs
custom to place a certain number of houses in the capital (Gondar),
or else a small province at their disposal, for their spoliation. Gondar
being a very ancient city, it is rumoured, and generally supposed by tk
inhabitants, that jewels and money of great value are hid and buried in
the houses, and when once given over to the troops, they are ransacked
to their foundations, and the site thoroughly dug up. If the King