The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-02-24

/ there SuUSlSLeQ Il COMP pact, powerful
and well governed people in Abys-
sinia. Hhfs government was 1espotfc
in form, and extended its sway beyond
its Northern and Western borders.
1t was moulded after the pattern Of
the Jewish monarchy; but its laws
were drawn from the code of Justin
ian, and they affected great respect
for and professed to maintain Chris
tan morality. The knowledge s5of
this people seems to have been
lost to Europe in the general dark
ness which clouded the understand
ings of mankind after the destruction
of the Roman Empire. But so strong
had it become in the fifteenth cen
fury that the fame of its monarch, its
marvels, and it's fabulous riches, ex-
cited the avaricious desires of the
King of Portugal, who made inetfect-
ual efforts to reach it. At length
Vasco De Cana doubled the Cape of
Good Hope, and, arriving at the
coast Of Zanguebar, fitted out an ex-
petition which, after many vicissi-
tudes Of fortune, reached Gondar.
The force was commanded by Chris
TOPPER, Vasco's brother, who, it APP
pears, had either no inclination, or
was too weak to effect a permanent
settlement. This expedition was fol-
lowed by one of missionary charac-
ter, which seems to have met with no
better success.
That which has in no small degree
excited an interest in the present and
past history Of the singular people
inhabiting Abyssinia is its strange
system Of religion Surrounded by
either Pagan or Mohammedan be-
Eovers, it maintains worship gro
tesquely compounded of Christianity,
Judaism, Mohamedabism and idola-
try, which has a wonderful effect upon
the imaginations of its votaries, but
is entirely pOWerless in refining their
manners or humanizing their hearts.
The Church of Ethiopia derives
Tyrian Presbyter, who, in the
commencement of the fourth cen
fury received from the exalted
Patriarch Athanasius, the foe of the
Arian heresy, the station of the Bish-
op of Axum The abund, or primate,
is still appointed at Alexandria.
Abyssinia was bound to Europe, after
its conversion, by common faith;
and religious zeal and political expe
diency kept the correction alive. At
the instigation Of Justinian, Arabia !
was invaded; but the Abyssinian
army and its conquests were ulti- !
mately lost. Had they succeeded,
Mahomet would have been crushed |
in his cradle, and Europe would not
have to deplore the disastrous effects
of his successful imposture.
We cannot do better in describing |
the names of the people composing |
the Inhabitants of the two provinces, |
Amhara and Tigre-people having
different languages and differences in |
religion-than to give extracts from
Plowden's admirable and exhaustive
criticism on Abyssinian manners and !
character:
The manners of the Amhara are
pleasing. Their features are general !
ly of the European and Asiatic, that
is, Arab cast, and they are remarka-
bly, quick and intelligent. Their |
standard of morality is very low;
sensual pleasures, as intoxication, are |
gratifed without scruple and without |
shame; IN general, the interest or
convenience of the moment are the |
only rule of conduct-want Of tact |
and l-temper the only crimes in
their code"
. The people of Teegray (Tigre) |
are somewhat different In character;
with more of the obstinacy of their
Jewish blood, they are Tuder and
vainer than the Amhara, noisy, quar-
relsome, and laxative. Though |
nearer the sea they are even more ig- |
norant of other nations; they despise !
all the human race but themselves,
and generally each man all existing |
but himself On the whole, l think
them inferior to the Amhara; but |
they are more laborlous and more
trustworthy individually, though po-
litically treacherous."
THE ORIGIN OF THE ANGLO ABYssI-
MAN DIFFICULTY.
An Englishman, by the name of
Plowden, on his journey home from /
India, took Abyssinia on his route,
and found another countryman named /
Bell, settled, naturalized, and married
to native in Abyssinia. Both men
were of an enterprising temper, and
of cultivated minds. Both saw what
might be accrued to
England could they succeed in
securing the subsection of the coun-
try under British influence. This
they partially accomplished when
PloWden, who obtained from the
English Government the appoint
ment OF Consul to Abyssinia, with a
residence at Hassowah, succeeded in
a treaty on the I'd of No
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