ABOUT ABYSSINI A. (By the author of "The Commoner's Daughter".) When Bruce, the traveller, first gave to the world the result of his African explorings, his assertions were viewed as belonging to the Munchausen school. Recent narrations, however, have shown that more credence is due than has hitherto been accorded to this writer. Unquestionably Bruce threw a doubt over his own veracity by the committal of a fault only too prevalent among those who, for the first time, visit countries but little known: that fault consisting in the practice of setting down isolated instances, induced by peculiar circumstances, as the every-day habits and routine of the people. Belonging to this mistake, was Bruce's well-known anecdote of the steak cut from the live cow. There is now little doubt that this is sometimes done when cattle have been stolen or taken in foray, for these Abyssinians in their predatory habits seem strangely to resemble the old reiving Highlanders of Scotland. Thus, when a cow has been obtained by this means, they who drive her, if fasting, have but this choice-either to kill the beast, or act as Bruce has described: if they slay her, they would have to carry home the remains, or else leave the carcase to the animals of prey, ever ready to seize on the living or the dead; in consequence they employ an alternative, which probably appears no worse to them than our fish-vendors' experience in skinning live eels, crimping skate, or boiling living crabs and lobsters. Allowing Bruce's truth in this solitary instance, other things relating to Abyssinian practices told by him have since been tested by modern experience. Exploring, indeed, is so fatal in an African climate, that but few Europeans survive to give us the fruits of their trials and hazards. Fever commonly attacks the adventurer, and boils afflict him, which, if neglected, mortify, and death puts an end alike to his tortures and anticipated discoveries. Even if he recovers from the fever, the constitution rarely surmounts the shock it receives; and crocodiles and dysentery are evils which even the most prudent and cautious are unable to evade. Then there exists a formidable plague in the tsaltsalya or Abyssinian fly: this apparently contemptible and insignificant insect, has the power to terrify huge animals-the elephant, | the rhinoceros, the lion, and the tiger-which inhabit the same woods, fly from its approach in utter terror and dismay. In size it is little larger than a bee, but of thicker proportions. When its buzzing, monotonous sound is heard, all the cattle forsake their food, and run wildly about the plain till they die, worn out with fright, fatigue, and hunger; some, with wiser instinct, hasten down to the sands at Atbara, and there abide while the rains continue. These floods set in about the month of May, continuing for some length of time, at which period this ravaging, noxious insect gives up the pursuit of its victims. Even the camel, with a thick skin and a body defended with strong hair, is incapable of enduring, with impunity, the punctures made by the fly with its pointed proboscis. Once attacked, the camel's body, head, and legs break out in large abscesses, which swell, break, and putrefy, terminating in the animal's lingering and cruel death. Impenetrable jungles, treacherous and pestiferous morasses, perpendicular mountains, narrow gorges, arid deserts, brackish-or else wells positively poisonous, and, though last not least, reptiles and insects of a truly diabolical power of torture, we are told, form an impassible barrier to an invading army. Food, too, is scanty in this country, and but little varied; badly-baked bread and milk appear to be the staple commodities, and travellers tell us they have often been reduced to a diet of bread and pepper for whole days. Honey occasionally may be purchased, but with difficulty, for it is esteemed the choicest of luxuries. The people of Abyssinia are divided into tribes, and live much in the manner described in Holy Writ. We are told, moreover, that they are descended from Cham or Ham, the son of Noah, and that there were sixty-two reigns between Cham and Basilides, among whom were some remarkable women. Chief among these was Sheba, the visitor, and, according to scandalous tradition, the mistress of Solomon during her sojourn at his Court. From the issue of this connexion King Theodore, like all his predecessors, pretends to be descended. At one time the Abyssinian empire comprised forty provinces, and extended from Congo to theRed Y Sea, and from Egypt to the Indian Ocean. It has, however, gradually dwindled, till now it is of about the extent of Spain. The country is capable of producing the same provisions as Portugal; but the natives are so inert and idle, that these are very small in quantity. They eat, no wild or water fowl, not even the goose, which is deemed a delicacy in Egypt. This may be attributed to their having adopted some of the Mosaic laws. The Abyssinians remain in spots favourable for pasturage, till the herds have exhausted the vegetation, and then migrate to another. Their villages are built near the summits of hills, to prevent the sudden attack of enemies, or to preserve them from the malaria so prevalent in low valleys. The mountains are among the most remarkable features of the country; these, almost naturally impregnable, are easily converted into fortresses not easily approached or taken, save by cunning or stratagem; for example, the fortress of Hamarat, which is considered one of the strongest in Abyssinia. A viceroy of the country, Ras Welda Setassy, laid siege to this mountain, and, unable to obtain it by force, blockaded it for seven years. The prevailing religion of the Abyssinians is Christianity, and, it need hardly be added, a Christianity gross and superstitious as the worst form of Paganism. Frumentius brought the gospel into Abyssinia in the year of our Lord 330. The inhabitants relate many legends of the Apostles, and, according to the number of their churches, this people ought to be eminently religious; but they seem rather to verify the old proverb of "The nearer the churches the further from God." Every great chief in the country considers he amply atones for all his sins if he leaves a fund to build a church. | These churches are round, with thatched roofs; generally they are placed conspicuously on the top of a hill. They seem to have retained much of the ceremonial law of the Jews. Mohammedanism also abounds, and the hatred between Abyssinian Christians and Abyssinian followers of Mohomet is intense. The native dress of the men-especially those of high quality though simple, is imposing: the drawers, which vary with taste, reach nearly to the knee according to their length they are called calliss and coumta. A belt of cotton, containing from fifteen to sixty yards, and the quarry or mantle, usually of fine cotton, sometimes, however, of furs, or ornamented velvet, completes the Abyssinian dress. The mantle seems to bear some affinity to the ancient Roman toga. The equipments are the spear, the shield, and the sword. The shield is usually decorated with a lion's mane and tail. The sword is two-edged, like a sickle, and is worn mostly on the right side. The lance is about six feet six inches in length; and in general, an Abyssinian who is the owner of a steed must either be a rich man or a distinguished warrior. When the Abyssinian carries a gun, he prefers a large and heavy one; but he is awkward in the use of it, and invariably 1 charges his piece hap-hazard. The women wear a large loose garment to the feet, and when out of doors a cloak or quarry similar to that worn by the men: women of rank and wealth wear a profusion of silver ornaments. The wild and domestic animals comprise leopards, lions, byænas, jackals, monkeys, mules, asses, horses, &c. As for the moral attributes of the Abyssinians, this people may be said to possess most of the vices of civilization, but are almost destitute of its advantages. They have scarcely any natural affections. Their cruelties are atrocious, and if we engage in warfare with them, we may expect to hear of deeds similar to those practised in the time of the Indian mutiny. They have not even the savage virtues of sincerity and courage, and their morality is at the lowest ebb. The kings of Abyssinia are held to be above all laws, human or divine. Stoning to death is a common form of capital punishment among them. Crucifixion and flaying alive are things also greatly in vogue among these interesting fellow-Christians. Those of the people destined for the priesthood, only learn to read a part of the Bible; then the neophite priest collects (by begging) as much money as will enable him to make a pilgrimage by Massana and Cairo to Jerusalem. From this tour he brings back a vast amount of hypocrisy, sectarianism, and a thorough proficiency in destructive vices. We can better understand some of St. Paul's epistles when we are well acquainted with the practices of Abyssinian Christians. The writer has so far endeavoured to give a sketch of the nation with whom England is at present embroiled-it must be owned, partially through the want of courtesy displayed by the English Government when Queen Victoria received a missive from King Theodore containing a proposal, on the part of the Abyssinian Monarch, for the hand of Her Majesty. However preposterous such a proposition may (and does) seem in English eyes, the true policy would have been to consider the gross bar. barism and want of knowledge of the King, and to have conveyed the Queen's rejection in courteous and cautious terms. No answer at all at that time was sent, and the Consul (Capt. Cameron), his secretary, Capt. Ca. meron's three servants, Mr. Bardel (a painter) Messrs. Schiller and Ester (natural historians and collectors), and four missionaries, with two ladies (the wives of the missionaries) and three children belonging to them, were seized upon by the King. A missionary, however, was despatched to England to demand ransom for the captives; and Mr. Rassam, who had been sent to Abyssinia to act on behalf of the Queen of England in obtaining the release of the unfortunate captives, was left in his place. Mr. Rassam had been the bearer of a conciliatory letter from Queen Victoria, on receipt of which King Theodore appeared highly gratified, and immediately ordered the release of his prisoners, making them handsome presents, and treating them in a kind and friendly manner. Presently, |