Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-05-08
AbyssInia.
NArIm's MARCH TO MAGDALA.


C.ucspondence Of the y. Y. Herald.l
C-YoF ANTALo, Province OF TIGRE,
ABrssNIA, Feb. L, 1S6S.
-rl Is now the most important province Of
ETilia, and is a large and exceedingly
-ll0us district, and contains a number Of
le which figure conspicuously in the his
y Of Ethiopia, more especially Axum, Dix
] Chelicut, Antalo, Atigeratt and Agulla.
i The first of these cities was the ancient
,dence Of the Abyssinian monarchs, who
g thither for the purpose of being
wned. The modern town of Axum con-
Us about six hundred houses. On the
stern frontier stands the city Of Antalo,
ich formerly was the seat of government.
is quite large place, compared with any
+ have vet seen, and contains about twelve
lndred houses, constructed Of mud and
,raw. in the midst Of which stands the pal
zee, distinguished by its magnitude rather
ban by the elegance of its plan or workman
tip. In titus province there is very large
nyent, the Monastery of Fremon, which
IS always been the chief establishment of
Jesuits. 1t is about a mile in circumier-
Sc, surrounded by walls hanked with tow
and pierced for small arms. Agulla con-
1- the ruins of a fine temple built by King
ala in the eleventh century to the Greek
, Korcas. The floor Of this temple,
.h was marble, was in many places still
rr. 1t was a strongly built building of
-. ll.,l-, Of r,y,,,f4a Ina os - ,,-o, On; "a 20
tain gold, King Subegadis caused it to be
el down 10 search for the treasure. The
We cities stand nearest the road to Antalo,
/ Cd, after a continuous march of eleven
from Senate, the advanced brigade under
adier General Collins has reached. 1t is
'tly $40 miles from Senate and 1913 miles
% Boola, on Annesley Bay.
ur route lay through the highlands of
-sinia, after reaching Senate, which
Ids almost on the brink of the tableland
looking the sea Of ridges which lift
II scraggy peaks up into the very clouds,
look down so frowningly upon the Ger
lec invaders.
Iheodorus made great mistake in not
rling these passes which have admitted
English into his dominions. Twenty
on the heights, with serviceable mus
F. could have defied three thousand and
re 1t not that the present ambitious Ras of
-re II at variance with his tickle and ty-
meal sovereign. advantage might have
en taken OF the natural fortresses, which
ID effectively have protected him.
4 most curious and interesting sight is
.-entcd upon attaining the summit of the
tcau. Out Of the level plain shoot up
usand differently shaped hills. Many Of
an are solid boulders, round and polished
pebble, rising from one hundred TO five
nIrcd feet high others are like sugar
t,. Urislns and pyramids, and each height
rwned by village.
These people of the highlands are better
ts--el than the miserable black Shihos of
coast they aIe also more intelligent and
.y independent.
They are of the complexion of our Indians,
5sN 'roportioned, with fine hands and fea-
u'- short hair, kept plated and always
uttered. When they visit camp they
4a well armed with spear, shield and a
lucd sword very like sickle. In the use
the shield they are very expert For the
lrIo-e of testing their expertness an Eng
.h soldier, thoroughly skilled in the use Of
4e sabre, was pitted against strong, athle-
zig Agalae. Like lightning the sabre flew
nund the natives head, with back strokes
1l front cuts ,now at his head and then at hi
p but like black shadow the shield glid
d from side to side and successfully averteC
7ary stroke for over fifteen minutes. Thes'
Aielis are circular and are made of double
9hlo. well tanned and oiled, and are i'm
.2hetrable 10 sabre or spear. The native dress i
tie breechcloih and cotton robe, with ,
rad red stripe across it, centre, which i
forn like a toga.
i ferocious, blood thirsty and perfdiout
et Of natives occupy the mountain heights
% whom many are inclined to believe tina
We owe the death Of three English officer
gho have been found dead. These fierce ma
ives live in caverns or in novels constructed
With n cone-like roof Of rushes and mud.
TIE cIyILIzERs on THE MARCH
Early on the morning Of 9Th instant, the ad
'ance brigade, composed of the thirty-thir,
'egiment Europeans (mostly Irish), Fourtl
aatiye infantry, the Seinde horse native cav
'lry, rocket battery of artillery and tw'
4ountan batteries, numbering in all abou
$500 strong, marched out of their camp a
Senate and started for Antalo. The Scind,
.s 1oise' with their sheepskin coats and greer
1nnoims, presented very fine appearance
-"' them officers, who were East Indian En-