The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-22 00:00:00

BATTLE IN ABYSSINIA.

(From the Bombay Gazette.)

We learn from reliable sources that a battle has
taken place close to Magdala, between King Theo-
dorus and the rebels of that district of country.
Theodorus has long been hemmed in on all sides
by rebellious chiefs, who have shaken off his Im-
perial rule, each constituting himself a king in
his own territory, or disputing the title with
rivals of his own. The only province that remained
faithful to him was the province of Begemeder,
on the eastern shore of the Dembea Lake, and
the secret of its fidelity was probably that there,
Theodorus being personally present, he overawed
the population into fidelity. At that time his rule
extended from a little beyond Gondar (which had
been Lis capital until he transferred his centre of
power to Debra Tabor) as far as Magdala, which
stood almost on the edge of the %Volk) Galli:8
country, whose chief had shaken off the supremacy
of Theodorus. In February last even Begemeder,
the sole remaining possession of Theodorus, broke
out into insurrection, and since then it has gone
from bad to worse. This insurrection was headed
by a petty rebel chief, who established himself some-
where along the fifty miles of road or country that
separates Debra Tabor from Magdala, even at that
early date cutting off all communication between
these two places. Communications, however,
passed through at the end of May ; but
as nothing, so far as we understand, has
been heard of or from the Royal camp at
Debra Tabor since the 20th of that month, it is
certain that nothing was heard of Theodorus or the
Debra Tabor and Gaff at prisoners for many weeks
thereafter by the Magdala prisoners, or by the
British Government—it is evident that the petty
rebel chief referred to has been able to hold his own
against Theodorus. The Begemeder peasants,
however, have also risen in insurrection, and the
last spot of Abyssinian ground Theodorus can call
his own is in anarchy up to the very gates of
Debra Tabor. What has become of the Debra
Tabor and Gaffat captives nobody knows ; but
the present movement of Theodorus has been a
dash at Magdala through the rebel army that has
cut his line of communication. The Governor of
Magdala is still faithful to Theodorus—or rather we
should say was, according to the last accounts—
being, if we mistake not, a relative of the Emperor.
The battle was a drawn battle between the King
and the rebel chief, and both sides retired. The
conflict was in fact a defeat to Theodorus, whose
attempt to get into Magdala was completely frus-
trated. His Majesty is undoubtedly aware that
an expedition has been undertaken against him
by England, for he has confidential friends in
Massowah who keep him informed of everything
that is taking place, and messengers may pass
through from Massowah to Debra in fifteen days,
if they are unmolested on the way. The dark
question thus arises—What has been the fate of
the European prisoners who were with the King
at Debra Tabor and Gaffat ? And what was
the object of Theodorus in making this dash at
Magdala 1

THE " LONDON" DINNER.—A great stir is at pre-
sent being made to obtain for the City clerks a good and
substantial dinner at a moderate price, in place of the very
objectionable arrangements under which hundreds at the
present time are compelled to dine. It would be ridiculous
to say that comfort in its most distant form at present
falls to the lot of the many compelled to dine away from
home, but the steps now being taken cannot but result in
an improved, if not an entirely altered, state of things.
Whilst, however, clerks are put to such great inconveni-
ence, mercantile and professional gentlemen have no cause
to complain of the arrangements that are daily made to
provide them with a meal worthy the name of a dinner. Mr.
Frederick Sawyer has once more become lord-paramount
at "The London," and has revived all the old celebrity
it attained under his former management. He now daily
provides in a manner worthy the splendid establishment
over which he presides, and his dinners are served in a
style calculated to please the most exacting diner-out.
The wines also deserve high commendzeion ; in fact
there is nothing to find fault with at the London, not
even the tariff of prices, considering the quality of the
articles supplied. There is a matter in Mr. Sawyer's
arrangements which gives the greatest satisfaction to
many of hispatrons, and would dos° to many more if it were
publicly known that luncheon can be had in comfort at "The
London" for actually less money than is charged at many
other establishments where it is served, as the saying is,
"standing." In addition to the dining comforts of Mr.
Sawyer's establishment, it affords to his patrons all the
facilities of a West-end dub without the necessity of an
annual subscription being paid.
THE FARNHAM INQCIRY.—This inquiry was re-
sumed yesterday before the Commissioners. The chief
evidenca was that given by Dr. Stallard, one of the two
gentlemen sent down by the Lancet. He was cross-
examined upon several points, but corroborated in every
way the statements originally made. The inquiry was
again adjourned.
CROYDON GRAND METROPOLITAN STEEPLECHASE.
—M. Forcinal's La Senelle, four years, was struck out
when the weights appeared. Astrolabe, Niger, and Flan-
chin engaged at Croydon, left Chantilly on Tuesday last,
the 19th inst., for England. Bon Espoir, engaged in the
Croydon Metropolitan Steeplechase, is trained by J. Cas-
sidy at Chantilly, and had not up to Wednesday left for
Croydon.