Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-11-13
THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION.
= From the N. World.],

8 THE ABYsSINIAN EXPEDITION.
. From the NY. World.]. -..a,4
The British invasion of Abyssinia partakcs
f,io a considerable degree of the romantic char
scter which marked. the conquests of Cortcz
. and Pizarrc. The 'marye]s of an unknown
j land, the doubtfuland unforeseen nature Of the
obstacles to be encountered, are features of the
m am,n3dern as of the medieval enterprise. In both
smallness of numbers combines with superior
AIMS :. discipline and civilization will be pitted
: against the greater numbers. of barbarism,
aided by thenatural advantages of the country
for defence. The use of the Sepoy troops by
the British presents another point OF analogy
with that of the Tlascalans by Cortez. ..p.
The numerous wars which the English have
:; successfully conducted In India against tribes
more warlike than, and nearly, if not quite as
difficult Of access as the Abysslnlans, have lett
in their military traditions an amount and kind
of experience very we'll adapted to secure sue
cess in Abyssinia. Whatever may be said by
travellers, it is by no means probable that In
martial spirit they will bear comparison with
the Sikhs, or that In the combination of de-
termined resistance with natural impediments
the invading force will encounter such obsta-
cles as were successfully overcome In the Bur-
mese war. The boasted difficulties OF noun
tain passes and inaccessible countries have al
most invariably disappeared, from Thermo.
pyle down, before powerful and skiltul lnva,
!. der. and modern military science has reduced
them to minimum The English expedition
will have good water base; it's line OF commu-
Dication will be not remarkably long one, and
the troops both European and Indian, are
enured to warfare and climate similar at least
to those they are destined to meet. Sepoys,
for whom q few ouncec of rice are sufficient
snstenance. .,car, be maintained without much
] trouble in tropical country where but little
food is needed and where nature is prodigal.
The Egyptian la5orer lives almost entirely
, upon the fruits of the date. palm-the existence
, of which south of Nubia is, however. denied
5 by some writers-and the coarse bread of the
sdhoura, resembling Indian corn, t !
Z. Z In strictly military view the expedition,
then, presents fair prospects, Of success The
greatest danger to the accomplishment OF its
objects would be the complete dispersion Of the
Abyssinians after numbering the prisoners. -
How protracted and veXatious a warfare may
be carried on by an apparently .despicable foe
we understand from. our Seminole experience
Theodore however, who makes some preten-
sions to regal splendor, can scarcely. become so
utter a nomad as Billy Bowlegs, Dispersion
and disaffection among his subjects may also be
: counted on as auxiliaries to the invader. "A
: complete success, which would bring Theodore
within the pale Of responsible and decently be-
hayed monarchs, would be important, not only
for immediate purposes of humanity, but as a
means Of acquainting the world with q very
y mysterious country, and Of the ultimate diffu-
. sing civilization among the Abyssiniansl them
selves. 80 It is indeed remarkable that people
protesting Christianity and keeping up q regu-
p lar connection with the See Of Rome-tor
Abyssinian priests are not unknown IN st.
Peter should have remained so many centu-
{, ries utterly secluded and unknown. Their con-
dition and history afford not inapt illustration
of the theory mentioned by Buckle, that a
barbarous people are unsuited to an elevated
history. War and commerce are two potent
engines Of modern civilization. Hand in hand
they have produced the civilization or destruc-
se ton of many savage races, and Theodore may
9 prove to be an unwilling instrument IN the
:. hands of fate. ...S 20 32'', -. 80"
! HOW "A, FRENCH RoBBER WAS CAUGHT.
tad9 1EParis Cor. Phila. Press, Oct. 4] ~. -
"a tits deig ightlql to sees villain caught in the
snare he has laid for Others. A French gen.
tleman returning home. under the excitement
q of something stronger than vim ordiDaire, was
! sccosted by a:member Of one Of the garroting
9 gangs, who, demanded watch and money =
! With that cool cblIectedness. and presence of
:, mind not an untrequent phenomenon. On the
part Of an; individual in state of inebriation
when in presence Of danger, though by consti=
tuition excessively nervous, the individual ac-
eosted, instead Of resenting the unpardonable
] familiarity, and graphing with his formidable
opponent, affected to- hailahim with indie
scribable pleasure, to be,asa far gone as not to
be able to distinguish friend from foe, and en-
. braced and hugged; the robber to his heart,
tsMn fr;aed enA :, bn avcIa;pa3 stwe will never
20 o,. D.S ,ltsno iat ,'s ~ ond JrnE and
psls' come WIN me- ie. us "a. snu unin IL
fnli fl ot % aolJNwbv W should Won not eoualIy, en-