CHAPTER VIII.

View from the Convent Wall--Appearance of the Desert--Its grandeur and freedom--Its contrast to the Convent Garden--Beauty and luxuriance of Eastern Vegetation--Picturesque Group of the Monks and their Visitors--The Abyssinian Monks--Their appearance--Their austere mode of Life--The Abyssinian College--Description of the Library--The mode of Writing in Abyssinia--Immense Labour required to write an Abyssinian book--Paintings and Illuminations--Disappointment of the Abbot at finding the supposed Treasure-box only an old Book--Purchase of the MSS. and Books--The most precious left behind--Since acquired for the British Museum 90

THE CONVENT OF THE PULLEY.