third day from the time we quitted Azab. We found every thing well on our arrival at Loheia; but no word of Mahomet Gibberti, and I began now to be uneasy. The rains in Abyssinia were to cease the 6th of next month, September, and then was the proper time for our journey to Gondar.
The only money in the country of the *[1] Imam, is a small piece less than a sixpence, and by this the value of all the different denominations of foreign coin is ascertained. It has four names, Commesh, Loubia, Muchsota, and Harf, but the first two of these are most commonly used.
This money is very base adulterated silver, if indeed there is any in it. It has the appearance of pewter; on the one side is written Olmass, the name of the Imam; on the other, Emir el Moumeneen, Prince of the Faithful, or True Believers; a title, first taken by Omar after the death of Abou Beer; and since, borne by all the legitimate Caliphs. There are likewise Half-commeshes, and these are the smallest specie current in Yemen.
I VENETIAN SEQUIN, ------ 90
I FONDUCLI, -------- 80
I BARBARY SEQUIN, ----- 80
I PATAKA, or IMPERIAL DOLLAR, 40
When the Indian merchants or vessels are here, the fonducli is raised three commeshes more, though all specie is
- ↑ * Arabia Felix, or Yemen.
- Arabia Felix, or Yemen.
