them at the well of Fernay[1], before one Galla should drink there, or advance a pike-length into Begemder."
This declaration was, by orders of Ras Michael, entered into the Deftar, and written in letters of gold, after Mariam Barea's death, no doubt at the instigation of Ozoro Esther, jealous for the reputation of her dead husband. It is intitled, the dutiful declaration of the governor of Begemder; and is signed by two Umbares, or judges. Whether the original was so or not, I cannot say.
The return made to this by the king was of the harshest kind, full of taunts and scoffs, and presumptuous confidence; announcing the speedy arrival of Brulhé, as to a certain victory; and, to shew what further assistance he trusted in, he ordered Ras Michael to be proclaimed governor of Samen, the province on the Gondar side of the Tacazzé, that no obstacle might be left in the way of that general from Tigrè, if it should be resolved upon to call him.
In Abyssinia there is a kind of glass bottle, very light, and of the size, shape, and strength of a Florence wine-flask; only the neck is wider, like that of our glass decanters, twisted for ornament sake, and the lips of it folded back, such as we call cannon-mouthed. These are made at Trieste on the Adriatic; and thousands of packages of these are brought from Arabia to Gondar, where they are in use for all liquors, which are clear enough to bear the glass, such as wine and spirits. They are very
- ↑ A well near Karoota, immediately on the frontiers of Begemder.
