been killed or have sought refuge in flight. His own son, Ras Meshisbah, with Ras Engeda, one of his most obsequious creatures, are in chains. Atrocious deeds are constantly perpetrated, and blood is shed in profusion. The savage tyrant is quite furions; and, to allay the storm that is raging in his breast, he flogs and tortures, and barns in wax-dipped dresses, the women and children of absconded soldiers and chiefs."

On September 7th, one of the captives at Magdala writes concerning the situation of the Kag: "For the last four months he has only been able to communicate three times with the garrison here, and even then had to employ a servant of one of the native prisoners confined in this fort, fearing that one of his own people might be waylaid and murdered. There is now nothing but death between the peasantry and their late ruler. If any of the former fall into the hands of the latter, they are instantly burnt sive or barbarously mutilated, and then left to die a lingering death. On the other hand, whenever any of the royalists fall into the hands of the peasants, they are forthwith hacked to pieces. I have managed twice to communicate with Mr. Flad at Debra Tabor, but on each occasion my messenger was stripped naked on the road. Mr. Flad gives me a sad account of the state of affairs in the royal camp. Nothing but destruction of life is going on there from morning till night. The whole country between Debra Tabor and the Lakes, which formerly was thickly populated, has been laid waste, and all the inhabitants, men, women, and children, who could not effect their escape, have been ruthlessly murdered. The garrison at Debra Tabor has been surrounded with a hedge, and if a soldier attempts to desert, his wife, children, and any other relations he may have, are instantly butchered. A body of 2,500 men, who attempted to decamp last month, were slaughtered like so many sheep, and 295 chiefs were left to die of starvation, after suffering the mutilation of their hands and feet. Ladies, too, of noble families, after being stripped to nudity and exposed to the gaze of the soldiery, were tortured and then executed. In addition to 400 confined in this fort, the King has with him at Debra Tabor no less than 200 native captives, who a few months ago were accounted among his most trusty adherents."

The latest and, it seems, most trustworthy intelligence on the disposition of the native population toward Theodore and toward the English expedition is contained in a correspondence of the London Times, from Senafe, from which we extract the following: "Affairs are in such a hopeless state of complication that I scarcely dare to touch upon them; but, according to all I can learn from those who know the country, our diplomatists will have very difficult cards to play; and it is fortunate that we have in Colonel Merewether one who has for some time made the Abyssinian question his special study. There seems to be a number of great feudal chiefs in the country, all regard

ing Theodore, notwithstanding his recent reverses, with a strange superstitious awe, but all prepared on his overthrow by foreign arms to fly at each other's throats, and fight to the death for the imperial supremacy he once enjoyed. Each one of these seems in a position to give us trouble, but not one sufficiently powerful to keep off the rest, while each is, of course, disposed to be rabidly jealous of any concession made to the other. There is Kassai, said to be the principal chief in Tigré, who joined the Waagshum Gobaze of Lasta in the first rebellion against Theodore, and then, rebelling in turn against Gobaze, set up as a king on his own account. Gobaze has never forgiven him, and at this moment they are such deadly enemies that it will be no easy matter to please one without displeasing the other. There is another Gobaze Tesso, of Wolkait, beyond the Takazzi River, also a powerful chief, and Tedela Gooaloo, of Godjam, who, relying upon a fortress impregnable--at least to Theodore's howitzers has so far successfully asserted his independence. Then there is the King of Shoa, and the woman ruler (they don't allow her the title of queen) of the Wollo Gallas, a formidadle foe to the Wangshum Gobaze. It is probable that most, if not all, of these will try to secure our alliance, in the hope of obtaining by it dominion over their rivals. Kassai has already made overtures obviously, though not avowedly, with this end. In his letter, which, however, is otherwise guarded enough, and commits him to nothing but the most vague and general expressions of good-will, he styles himself head of the chiefs of Ethiopia, and signs with the lion seal of empire. Kassai's friendship, whether or not it leads to any embarrassing complications in the long run, is at present likely to prove of immense assistance. He professes himself ready to supply transport and forage, and generally to throw open to us the Tigré market."

Another correspondent, writing from Annesley Bay, on the 11th, says: "The political reasons for the rapid advance--namely, to decide the chiefs to pronounce in our favor— seem to have been so far crowned with success. Kassa, chief of Tigré, has sent us most friendly messages; so also has Waagrå, Prince of Lasta, who has been for months in correspondence with us--these two being respectively the second and the third most important men in Abyssinia. It is reported also that Menelek, Prince of Shoa, has surrounded Magdala. Menelek is supposed to be friendly to us; he is the son-inlaw of Theodore, but has been for some time inimical to the King."

In June, an ultimatum was sent to the King, that, unless the captives were at the coast by the 17th of August, other measures would be used. As no reply was made to this ultimatum, England began to prepare earnestly for war. The royal speech, on closing Parliament on August 21st, announced that the King of Abyssinia being obstinate, force must be used to

compel him to give up the captives, and that accordingly the proper measures had been taken. The preparations were now made with the utmost dispatch. It was determined that the invading army should be sent from the East Indies, and that it should consist of about 10,000 troops, chiefly Punjaubees and a proportion of cavalry. With these were sent four field batteries of artillery, and also one mountain-battery, consisting of six rifled steel seven-pounder guns carried on mules. Next, there was a supply of Hale's rockets, 5,000 breech-loaders and revolvers, and a field telegraph. Of beasts of burden there were 21,000 mules, and 5,000 camels. Fifteen large steamers were chartered in England to transport the troops from Bombay to Abyssinia. Besides these vessels, five or more steamers were taken up to carry mules from the purchasing depots in the Mediterranean to Egypt.

The pioneer party departed from Bombay on September 16th, and was followed on October 5th by the advanced guard, consisting of 1,400 troops, 700 camp-followers, and 1,000 horses and mules; and in the course of October, November, and December by the remainder of the force, the whole of which consisted of about 12,000 effectives (4,000 European and 8,000 natives). The chief commander, General Sir Robert Napier, left India for Abyssinia on the 26th of December.

On September 28th the exploring party, under the command of Colonel Merewether, embarked at Aden in the Coromandel and Euphrates. The Coromandel was ordered to rendezvous at Dissee Island, there to await the Euphrates, which steamed direct to Massowah, to pick up any intelligence regarding the captives, off which port she arrived on the 30th September. Massowah is an island, the straits lying between it and the mainland forming safe anchorage for half a dozen vessels at the utmost-not for a fleet and therefore unfit to be fixed upon as a general place of debarkation. The island has been held by the Egyptians for some time, and is now covered with houses inhabited by men of many races, who trade as merchants with Abyssinia and the Arabian ports adjacent. Numerous ferry-boats ply between the island and the mainland, whither the inhabitants resort every evening, so that Massowah becomes at that time deserted. The fact is that fresh water is not to be found on the island, and as Mucculla, where the nearest wells are situate, is five miles inland, every one goes there for water. Having at Massowah picked up the acting English consul, M. Munzinger, who had received no recent intelligence from the captives, the Euphrates joined the Coromandel at Dissee Island, and in company the two vessels reached Annesley Bay* (20 miles south of Massowah, lat. 15° 15'

*An article by M. Bonneau, in the Opinion Nationale of Paris, states that the Bay of Adoulas, or Annesley, in the Red Sea, which the English selected as the place of disembarkation for the army sent against Abyssinia, was, with the adjacent territory, "ceded in 1859 to France, and a captain of the national navy, M. Russell, was sent to the Red Sea

N., long 39° 45′ W.) on October 3d; they anchored off the small village of Ad-negoos, on the eastern side of the bay. It was here found that the wells, which were two miles inland, did not contain sufficient water, and accordingly early the following day the expedition steamed over to Zulla, on the opposite side of the bay. A dry river - course was here found, .in which the natives have numerous wells, and it was soon apparent that this place was the only one fit for the debarkation of troops, as Annesley Bay and Dissee Island on the north gave the protection needed against the northeast gales to vessels, any number of which can be here accommodated.

On October 6th, a proclamation, in the Amharic language, by Sir Robert Napier (dated 17th of the month Maskanom [September]), was sent out, of which the following is a faithful translation: "Hear! Tedros, King of Abyssinia, by binding Cameron, the consul of England, and Rassam, the envoy of England, with many other men, has violated the law of every country where the people abide by laws. Now, all friendly measures tried to free them having proved useless, I am coming, commanded by the Queen, with an army to liberate them. Whoever is the friend of those prisoners, and who will help to deliver them, shall be rewarded; but whoever ill-treats them shall receive severe punishment. Further, reflect in your heart, O people of Ethiopia, in the time of the coming of the army into your country, that the Queen of England has not a thought of anger against you, your country, your liberty, and existence. All your persons and property, all your convents and churches in your country shall be protected with much care. All who may bring provisions for sale will receive their price. The inhabitants who remain quiet will not be troubled by any one.'

Colonel Merewether at once started upon his exploring expedition southwards, from which, after a severe march of 130 miles, he returned to Zulla on October 29th. In the country they traversed-now for the first time visited by Europeans-they found but little water, and that in wells. In parts the thermometer ranged at 110°. The passes were through beds of torrents, with huge masses of rock on every side. Colonel Merewether, in a letter to Sir Stafford Northcote, gives the following account of the natives of the country, of the disposition of the people, and the prospects of the expedition: "We have just returned from a most interesting and important reconnoissance up the pass from Koomaylee to within five miles by road from Senafe, a distance of forty-one miles. There were some very bad places in one part, but the road has been made now by the sappers easy for the passage of cavalry, in

to regularise this important cession." By whom the cession was made, M. Bonneau does not state, and he adds-"It is true that the French Government may since then have renounced the possession of the Bay of Adoulas, as it formerly abandoned all the rights of France to the great Isle of Madagascar."

fantry, mules, and camels; and it will, I think, prove the chief line of route, as leading at once to a good position on the highlands of Abyssinia in the direction we have to go, and to a spot within easy reach. To-morrow we start up the Haddes to examine that, to go as Dear as we can get to Tekonda, without actually entering it, or compromising the inhabitants by opening communications with them. Sir R. Napier's excellent proclamation was sent out on the 6th inst., and I hope for the best results from it. Directly the ruler of Tigré, now Prince Kassai, a rebel against Theodore, shows he intends acting in a friendly manner towards us, there will be no impropriety in visiting both Tekonda and Senafe; but until he does, it would not be just to the people of those places to make them run the risk of encountering his displeasure before we were in a position to protect them. I have been very vexed not to find a suitable plateau short of the Abyssinian highlands, but I was misled by the richness of the Agametta plateau, west of Massowah, and have only now learned, what no one seemed to have been able to tell me before, that as you go south of the latitude of Massowah the lower hills become more purely volcanic, indeed in some places entirely, so that vegetation diminishes pari passu. The troops that have landed are, I am happy to say, in excellent health and spirits." In the mean while, the landing pier at Zulla, three hundred and fifty yards long, was finished, and a great portion of the tramway had been laid down. Shortly after, it was completed to the foot of the mountains. Troops now arrived daily, and Annesley Bay rapidly assumed as busy an aspect as Bombay harbor. A good road was made from the coast to Koomaylee, eleven miles in length, and advanced camps of observation and exploration were established beyond that place. The telegraph department in Calcutta had been instructed to furnish the Abyssinian expedition with materials for creating and working four Lundred and fifty miles of telegraph.

The English Government had taken care to render the expedition useful for the purposes of science. From Bombay an eminent botanist and other scientific men were to accompany it; while from home the interests of geographical knowledge were to be represented by Mr. Clements R. Markham, of the India Office, and senior secretary to the Geographical Society; those of archæology and antiquarian research by Mr. Deutsch, of the British Museum; zoology and other branches of scientific knowledge would also be cared for. It was also stated that two officers belonging to the staff of the King of Italy and three officers of the French staff would accompany the expedition. Sir Stafford Northcote had invited Dr. Krapf, formerly missionary in Abyssinia, to accompany the expedition as interpreter. Dr. Krapf, by letter, stated that he had accepted the offer of Sir Stafford Northcote, and would join the expedition at Massowah; that for the last two

years he had been engaged in Amharic studies, especially in editing for the British and Foreign Bible Society an Amharic New Testament [ten thousand copies], and various small tracts in that language, as well as the four Gospels in Tigré; that he had stipulated to have an assistant who would act as Bible colporteur, and that he anticipated large opportunities of spreading Christian truth in connection with the expedition.

At the opening of the winter session of the English Parliament, on November 19th, which was called for the special purpose of providing for the expenses of the Abyssinian expedition, the royal speech stated that the King of Abyssinia's persistent disregard of friendly representations left to the Eng lish Government no course open but that of sending an expedition to that country, and that the sole object of the measures which have been taken was to secure the liberation of Mr. Cameron and his fellow-captives. On November 26th the Chancellor of the Exchequer asked for a vote of £2,000,000 toward meeting the cost of the Abyssinian expedition. He explained the circumstances under which it had been taken, and estimated the total expense at £3,800,000, supposing the troops were not able to leave Abyssinia before April next. Only £2,000,000 would, however, fall upon the Home Government during the present financial year. The request of the Government was granted without any serious opposition. The House of Lords also passed a resolution approving the employment of force against King Theodore.

Soon after the return from his reconnoitring expedition, Colonel Merewether began his march into the interior at the head of the advanced brigade. On December 6th the brigade reached Senafe and encamped. The natives were found to be friendly in their behavior, and offered supplies. Water was abundant, and the climate good, the variation of temperature ranging between a maximum of 73 degrees and a minimum of 33 degrees. Accounts from the interior stated that Theodore had destroyed Debra Tabor, and was encamped in the neighborhood, intending to march upon Magdala, but that the insurgents would resist his march.

At the latest accounts received in London, on January 8th, the advance of the English army was still encamped at Şenafe. On Senafe and the region around, a correspondent of the London Times, from Senafe, gives the following information: "The existence of such a pass up into Abyssinia as the Koomaylee is certainly a wonderful piece of luck for our force. There is, I am told by professional men, no other pass known in the world by which so great a height is attained at so gradual an assent. Senafe, at the summit of the pass, is as nearly as possible 7,000 feet, and the ascent is, on an average, about 1 in 41. The natural obstacles are, moreover, very few and far between. When Colonel Merewether and other members of the reconnoitring force first explored the

pass, it took them an hour and a half to get over this one bit, extending over 200 yards; they even had to unload their mules. When they returned, after the sappers, under Lieutenant Jopp had been two or three days at work on it, they brought their mules laden down it in a minute and a half. The discovery of such a pass-it may almost be called a discovery, since of the various European travellers who have entered Abyssinia not one has used this pass to Senafe--is a great triumph for the leaders of the reconnoitring party - Colonel Merewether, Colonel Phayre, the quartermastergeneral, Colonel Wilkins, chief engineer of the force, and Dr. Martin, whom the Bombay Government have paid the high compliment of selecting from a host of able men to report generally upon the condition of Abyssinia, and Mr. Munzinger; and it has been a triumph hardly earned, for they have been scouring the country in all directions, and, owing to the wretched character of the climate and the scarcity of water, have undergone an amount of hardship and fatigue which would have knocked up most men. Senafe cuts so respectable a figure on the map of Abyssinia that I expected to find a town, or at least a large village. I was considerably astonished therefore, at being told, as we entered an open and rather barren-looking valley, seemingly uninhabited, about two miles from the top of the Koomaylee Pass, that this was Senafe, and I was just coming to the conclusion that the Senatians burrowed in warrens like rabbits, when I caught sight of two or three small clusters of wretched hovels stowed away under the shelter of the mountain-side. They are built of clay, stuck with rough stones, are only about seven feet in height, with flat roofs, which must cause a hard life in the rainy season, but are of considerable length and breadth, having to hold all the proprietor's cattle and sheep, as well as the more immediate members of his family. Senafe, though rather disappointing to those who came expecting to see an Abyssinian town, is satisfactory enough from a strategic point of view. There is enough good camping-ground for a large army, and plenty of water. Our camp is pitched in an open, irregular valley, crowned at intervals with masses of mountain and rock, which would look lofty anywhere else, but are mere excrescences on the table-land of Abyssinia. At either end the valley winds round and swells into a plain, equally convenient for a camp and well adapted for the manœuvres of cavalry. More table-land, spacious, but frequently interrupted by low ranges of hills, stretches away to the east, but on the southwest the plateau abruptly breaks, and, looking down from it, one sees as far as the eye can reach nothing but one wild series of mountainchains, rising and falling in every variety of angle and elevation, until at last the horizon is bounded by a giant range which towers high above all the rest. Among them are several of these extraordinary fastnesses said to be a

peculiar feature of this country-a square mass of rock, flat at the top, but with sides bare and steep as the walls of a fortress, and having seemingly as little natural relation as a fortress to the green mountain-top on which they stand."

The Viceroy of Egypt showed himself very anxious to be accepted as the ally of England. A correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette wrote on this subject from Alexandria, on October 26th: "The Viceroy of Egypt has this week dispatched 10,000 soldiers to Massowah and Sawakin, 6,000 of whom have only lately returned from Candia. The last batch of these 10,000 men passed through Cairo last night on their way to Suez. It is said here that the Viceroy has used every means to become an ally of England in this expedition to Abyssinia, and that these soldiers are now sent to the Red Sea with the hope that he may still succeed in getting his services accepted in case of necessity on the part of our Government. The reason put forward by the Egyptian Government for dispatching these troops is (naturally) to protect the frontier. The troops are under the command of Abd-el-Kader Pacha, accompanied by a sort of commissary, Sami Bey, who has been educated in England, and speaks the language perfectly." A dispatch from Annesley Bay, November 11th, stated that 4,000 Egyptian troops had mustered at Massowah.

The Abuna, the head of the Abyssinian. Church, who, for some time, had been kept a prisoner by Theodore, died, on October 25th, from heart-disease. (For more information on the Abyssinian Church see EASTERN CHURCHES.)

The interest taken in the fate of the captives, and more recently in the English expedition, has called forth a copious literature on Abyssinia. The most important among the recent works are the following: "Munzinger, Ost-Africanische Studien " (Schaffhausen, 1864). The author is a native of Switzerland, and is the French (and of late also the English) vice-consul at Massowah, has for many years been settled at Keren, the principal place in Bogos; has married a native lady, and is one of the best authorities on all East-African matters. Dr. C. T. Beke, "The British Captives in Abyssinia" (London, 1865, 2d edition, 1867; Dr. Beke has previously published several other works on Abyssinia). Rev. H. Stern, "The Abyssinian Captives" (London, 1866). Sir Samuel Baker, "The Albert N'yanza and Explorations of the Nile Sources" (London, 1866). "Letters from Missionaries in Abyssinia" (London, 1866). Dufton, "Narrative of a Journey through Abyssinia in 1862-'3, with an Appendix on 'The Abyssinian Captives Question"" (London, 1867). Hotten, "Abyssinia and its People" (London, 1868). Heuglin, "Reise nach Abessinien," etc., in 1861 and 1862 (Jena, 1867). Of special value is also the "Blue Book on Abyssinia, published by the English Government on December 27, 1867. It has been compiled at the Topographical Department of the War Office, by