The New York herald., 1868-04-27
SKETCH OF THEODORE, KING OF ABYssINIa.

The Emperor Theodore Mr., Dufton tells u.s. was
born about 1920, in the province of Kwara which is
situated to the west of Lake Tzana and of which his
uncle was governor. His mother was, according to
some, Of low extraction; but according to Others
she was Of good birth, and could even trace her
descent from the Queen Of Sheba, the orthodox an
cestress of Abysslnian royalty. Kassa for such is
the Emperor's real name, soon distinguished himself
by his bravery and talent for war, and the death
Of his uncle he acquired the government OF the
province of Kwara. He soon enlarged his dominions
by the conquest OF adjacent provinces and at length
after having experienced varying fortunes, he de.
feated Ali Ras Of Amhara, whose daughter he had
previously married. and effected the conquest OF that
province. The element Of religion, which is SO singu-
lary blended in Theodorus' character Is shown by
the prayer which he publicly offered up after his VIC
tory. and which is as follows 80" / praise thee,
God, that Thou hast manifested Thy good
ness to q poor sinner like me. Whom Thou hum.
bcst Is humbled and whom Thou exaltest is exalt-
cd. Thine is the power and glory, for ever and
ever"
Being now installed at GOndar az Ros OF Amhara,
O rank which carried with it the nominal allegiance
tho whole or Ahysslnia, Kassa sent to claim tr
butte from Oubie Prince of Tgr6 This being refused
he marched with an army against him, and having
defeated him in the battle OF Deraske, he had him.
self crowned as Negus Theodorus, or King OF Kings
dorus appears TO have been made In consequence of
au ancient prophecy that an Emperor OF that name
would raise the Kingdom OF Abyssinia TO an unpre-
cedented pitch OF greatness. He then attacked the
Wollo Gallss, a Mahomedan tribe between Amhara
and Shoa, and defeated them in battle In which
their Kiny, Adara Billie, was slain.
TheodOrus had thus made himself master OF the
whole or Abyssinia with the exception OF Shoa,
which had long been virtually an independent state
soon succeeded in completely subiugatlng II, thus
reuuiting under his sway the whole OF the
next project Was to drive the the Turks from
their possessions on the coast, and thus TO acquire
for Abyssinia an outlet on the Red Sea--an adyan
aRe which that country had not possessed since Mas
sowah taken by the Turks IN the sixteenth GEN.
tury This however. he was never In position to
attempt. His conquered provinces revolied, and the
cruel element ia his character which developed
itself alienated his subjects that they gradually
fell away from him until now he seems TO hold little
territory beyond mat IN the immediate neighborhood
Of Debra Tabor which he has made his capital.
Theodorus appears to be man OF great talent,
mand over others. Mr. button, who saw him in
1863, thus describes hin:-'IIs appearance that
Of q man about forty-ave, Of middng stature, and
possessed Of well knit but not over powerful frame,
conveying more the idea OF being tough and wiry
on e. % he M has
or the negro about him. His features are altogether
those Of European. His head Is well formed, and
his hair Is arranged In large plas extending back
from the forehead. His forehead Is high and tends
to be prominent His eye is black, full OF re, quick
and piercing. His nose has little Of the Roman
about It, being slightly arched and pointed. His
mouth is perfect, and the smile which, during the
conversation continually played upon IT, was
exceedingly agreeable, may say fascinating.
He has very little mustache or beard. His manner
IL peculiarly pleasant, gracious, and even
polite, and his general expression, even when his
features at rest, was one Of Intelligence and
benevolence. on the whole, the physiognomst
could find no trace OF fierce passion save IN the
lightning glance OF his eyes. watched for the keen
shot Of light coming from them AT tines and reflect
ed upon what he could be capable Of, but they did
not strike me as treacherous eyes. felt that he
could act savagely under irritation" He adds In
note, a." here take occasion to remark that, though
1heoJorus consumes q vast quantity Of arracky, he Is
no drunkard; that is, ! have never heard OF him
being overcome with drink lie always stops at
certain Doiut."