The Express.
London, England, 1867-08-09 00:00:00

THE ABYSSINIAN CAPTIVES.

There are two parties of Euro n captives in
Abyssinia—the smaller one at Msgdslsawhich includes
Mr. Ressam, Consul Cameron, and Messrs. Stern and
Rosenthal ; the other, with or near the King, at Debra
Tabor and Csliat, which includes Mrs. Rosenthal and
child, Mr. and Mrs. Fled, and three children, with all the
German artisans, two missionaries of the Sootoh Church,
and others. _ _ _

The abming letter hen been received from the Rev.
H. A. Stern :

" Magda's, May 20.
" My dear Charlotte,—My note of the 2nd inst. no doubt
caused you much anxiety. The intelligence we received on
that day was indeed gloomy. and dismaL The anticipated
storm, it seems, has main been lulled ; and the perils
which then encompassed us, if they have not entirely
been dissipated, have, for the present at least, only east
their dim shadows around our prima walla. Mr. Fled
has arrived, and his reception by the King was not very
auspicious nor favourable. His Majesty pretended to be
greatly enraged that the artisans had not come, and he at-
tributed it all to the unfriendly feeling of England towards
him, of which, be asserted that he had had ample proofs,
even in the time of the late Consul Plowden and his adju-
tant Bell. Mr. Fled intimated to him that he (the King)
had powerful enemies around him ; and that it would have
been to his interest to have accepted the hand of friendship
which the British government extended to him. This
roused his indignation, and, as nasal under such circum-
stances, he hurled a volley of defiance against the whole
universe. 'Let them all come,' he said, 'and if I do not
beat them call me a woman.' This obstinate persistence
in a way which he well knows, to say the least of it, is
opposed to common sense and justice does aot surprise me.
An invisible hand is evidently guiding the events in which
we are involved; and that invisible hand will, no doubt,
also conduct matters to a heaven-appointed termination.
Our position and pros.pects are as dreary and cheerless as
they can be; and it is not unlikely that m days roll on
our troubles will increase, and the dangers which en-
viron us assume a more serious aspect. It is true we
are already inured to hardship' and accustomed to
suffering, still I do not hesitate to confess that I shudder
at the idea of having my weary limbs and body again bent
double by beavierchitins, and of being once more incarcerated
in the crowded putrescent common prison. Do not think
that a long career of misery has imparted a gloom to my
imaginatirm, which tinges every sentence I write with its
sombre and melancholy hues. Believe me my heart is firm
and confiding as ever, and my faith brighter and stronger
than during the happiest period of my life ; this, however,
does not impose upon me the duty of concealing the truth,
or of indulging is ephemerallucubratione. My note of the
26th of May, 1866, you, and others may, perhaps, have con-
sidered a little exaggerated. I knew my oppressor, and the
delusions of a miataken charity which once made me trust
where I ought to have suspected, then no longer beguiled
my better judgment. The tyrant, baffled In his hopes of
inveigling a fresh number of saptives into his meshes, may,
perhaps, resent his disappointment on those in his power. I
do not despair. Often as I have drained the bitter cup of
suffering, and experienced the most cruel treatment, He
who then supported, strengthened, and shielded me does

not falter in His faithfulness, nor will He, when the
enemy comes in like a flood, fail to lift up a standard
against him. There is a report that all the huropeami at
Debra Tabor will be transferred to Magda's. The inse-
curity of Fkgemeder, the ever increasing strength
of the rebels, and the exhausting resources d the
King may prompt this measure. Should the tyrant
himself follow, we may bid farewell to the mo-
notony, peace, and quiet of our present prison life.
A few weeks more of resignation, faith, and earnest prayer
to God may deliver us. I yearn, yearn most intensely to
see again your face, hear your vole., and listen to those
accents of sincere sympathy which would soon make me
forget the corroding cares and mental anguish of my weari-
some and painful captivity. God, in mercy, grant it
speedily.—Your affectionate husband,
" RIMY A. Si.w
" June 11.

" P.3.—A1l communications with Debra Tabor are now
interrupted. The rebellious peasantry and soldiers now
occupy the country from within eight of the royal camp to
the river Djeddah, about 30 miles hence. From the Euro-
-ans at Gallia we have had no news for many weeks.
There is a report, which I fear is only too true, that they
are all in chains, not excepting the women. Don't be oast
down. God for wise purposes often veils His dealings in
profound mystery, but when the curtain is once lifted up
all will unfold wisdom, love, and goodness."
The King of Abyssinia appears to be fend of scriptural
quotations. After Mr. Fled was introduced his Ifajesty
salted him, " Where are the workmen!' To which Mr. F.
replied, " I would have brought them straight up if your
Majesty had not imprisoned Mr. Ilaesam and his compa-
nions." " For the matter of that, sulkily answered the
King, " the artisans would not have comae, even if I bad
not chained them." Among the presents which were
offered there was a telescope, which did not at all meet
with the approbation of the monarch, although it is said
to be excellent of its kind. The King inquired about the
future intentions of England in reference to himself, upon
which Mr. Flad informed him that he could not expect any
more friendship if he did not allow the European
at once to depart. " Let them come," replied the King,
"and call me a woman if I do not fight them," adding,
" Those who have faith, like a grain of mustard seed, shall
be able to remove mountains."

A postcript to another letter written by Mr. Stern says:
—" Whilst writing the above, news arrived here that the
King's army is almost entirely dispersed. Some of his
most faithful adherents, it is stated, utterly disgusted
with the cruelties of their fallen master, have daring the
past week left en mum, and be is now regularly hedged in
by hostile hordes. I tremble for the primness now in his
power, and for the terrific Bosom we may witness if the
King makes his escape from Debra Tabor and reaches this
Amps (rock fortress), where, by the sheer dread of his pre-
sence, he will always find tools enough to execute his most
atrocious behests."