The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-02-08


that have in Colonel Mereweather who has for
time made the Abyssnan question his special study
There seems to be number of great uda chiefs in the
country all regarding Theodore notwithstanding his recent
reverses with strange supersous ave. but all prepared
on his overthrow by foreign to fly at each others
throa and the death for the imperial supremacy he
enjoyed Each of these in position to give
trouble but not sufficiently powerful to keep Oft the
rest while each of course disposed to be rabdy jealous
of concession made to the other There Kassa said
to be the prominent chief in gre who joined the Waagshum
Gobaze of Lata in the first great rebellion against Theodore
and hen rebeling in turn against Gobaze set up king
his own account Gobaze has forgiven him and this
they are such deadly enemies that it will be
matter please without dspeasing the other There is
another Gobaze Tesso of Woka beyond the Takazz river
also powerful chief and Tadela Gooaloo of Godam who
relying upon fortress impregnable least to Theodores
howtzershas far successfully asserted his independence
Then there the King of Shoa and the ruler hey
don't allow her the title of queen) of the Wolo Calais,
formidable foe to the Waagshum Gobaze tits probable that
most if not ALL of those will try to alliance in
the hope of obtaining by dominion over their rivals
Kassa has already made overures obviously though not
avowedy, with this end In his letter, which, however is
otherwise guarded enough and commits him to nothing but
the most vague and general expressions of good WILL he
styles himself head of the chiefs of Ethiopia and signs with
the lion seal of empire From few hints which his
senger dropped fancy that the Abyssinians generally
pect that taking advantage of Theodores misconduct
to and seize their country they yet believe
that have intention of proseyzng religious tolera-
ton being notion too strange to be easily grasped by the
Abyssinan mind Rumors that Egypt going join in
expedition has already reached them, and had created
much alarm and disgust The messenger said that his fell
lOWcOuntrymen afraid OF the they had
beaten them and could beat them again. but that they
felt themselves match for the soldiers of Europe Kassas
friendship whether not leads to any embarrassing
plicaons in the long rum is at present likely to prove OF
immense assistance He processes himself ready supply
transport and forage and generally to throw open the
Tgre market We have yet learn what the Tge market
WORTH but still the assistance in the present trans
port difficulty will be most acceptable
Does the suboned remind very much of something
to be seen much nearer home?
The Pail Mall Gazette has been favored with the following
extracts from letter written by Mr. Rassa dated Magdaa
29th October:
We learn from different letters just arrived from the
that Her Maesys Government intend oappont Sir William
Coghan to the command of the expedition which is to be
dispatched to Abyssina to effect liberation sincerely
hope that such the and assuming that intelligence to
be true, lose time in communicating scheme which, il
carried out will materially assist the General in his dealings
with the native Christians.
The Metropolitan died here in prison the 25hnsant from
disease of the heart and the Abyssnans consequently
left without spiritual head to ordan chiefs and deacons
and to consecrae their churches According to the rules OF
byssnan Church, the Metropolitan Altoona must be
Copt and must be consecrated to the office by Copto
Patriarch filling the See of St Mark, Egypt feel conf
dent that the Copc Patriarch would consecrae Metro
poan for Abysnia provided the Abyssinan Viceroy
his CONSENT and fancy Resident ConsuGeneral could
readily obtain that In my opinion the presence of Metro
potan for Abysna accompanying the General in command
would remove many of the difficulties which would likely
arise from invasion of the country the Abyssnians
very superstous people, and regard their Altoona in
the light of angel sent from heaven tender this advice
whatever officer may eventually be selected command the
expedition, for feel confident that the fact of the
Altoona being with the English and under their protection
will be great security against the attempts which will be
made to inmidate the peasantry and which, If successful
would prevent them coming forward osuppy with
provisions and from proerng their manual service both
which will be much needed by the invading army The
Abyssnians AUTOMATICALLY Christians of the Coptic sect
Catholic faith such priesy absoutons fass worship
saints conventualism etc. Upon these observances they
have strangely grated Mohammedan rites, and the
trace of Jewish institutions is likewise percepbe They
are very supersou the priests have unchecked influence
over them and their Christianity is as may be supposed
from modern accounts, name. The Emperors are
crowned by the "Aboona head of the Church. who is
consecrated by the Patriarch of Alexandria
Altoona once evil moment contded to the
his impression that Theodore mother not descended
from the Queen of Sheba and this sur upon his family con-
necons so wounded the sensitive monarch that the Altoona
has since been out favor Nevertheless it's said that
any man whom the Altoona chose to would be recog
nized King by the people Among the saints in the