Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-02-19
The Abyssinian King and the Abys.
sinian Wnr.

In Africa, at tho Southern extremity of tho
Red Sea, lies the ancient and powerful kingdom
of Abyssinia. It's present king is one Theodore
or Theodorus; and he is bad man. Soon after
Queen Victoria became widow, this Theodore
conceived the tender design of becoming the sue.
cessor of the lamcntated Prince Albert, and ac-
cordingly made formal matrimonial proposals to
the royal widow. At first the Majesty of Britain
took no notice Of these proposals, but upon their
being renewed and urged, she Indignantly and
contemptuOusly rtpelled them. Whereupun,
Theodore gathered up the British subjects who
happened at the time to be driving their fortunes
in his realm, and declared that their lives should
pay the forfeit of their Queens unreasonable
pride. ,..-.s-..-=-.
This happened eight or ten months ngo; and
the hnrless captves, although not sacrificed, are
still immured in the tyrants dungeons at Magdua
far interior town.
Well, NO do not know whcthcr Theodore really
seized upon these Englishmen because Queen Vic
toria refused 10 become his wife, or not. Per.
haps that was only newspaper joke. Bat it i:
certain that he has seized upon them and hold.
them as captives at Magdala. And as he makes
nothing of cutting of the heads of his own sub
ects by tho tens of thousands, these enterprising
JOHN Bulls may be pleasantly gobblcd up any
fine day.
But, in the meantime, tho British Lion has be
come rampant and the British government hal
sent large army to punish the truculent Theo
dore, and rescue the captiYes. Most of this fore,
has gone from the Queens East Indian provinces
from whence, through tho Straits of Bah el Man
deb, leading from the South Pacific Ocean into
tho Red Sea, the voyage is easy. Many regi
ments, however, have also gone from England
itself. The commander of the expedition is Sii
Robert Napier. The place Of discmbarking the
troops is Amnesty Bay, in tho Red Sea, on the
Eastern coast Of Abyssinia.
Thodore, with his army, is in the heart of tn,
country, and the English forces must penetrate
fur into the interior to reach him. So dsaffectot
are his subjects and tributary princes, and So vii
ling are they to give aid in ovcrthrowiDg the re
norseless tyrant, that tho British government il
in high and reasonable hOpo of compaign " short
sharp and decisive" As yet, the British army
has not fairly commenced its march into the in
terror Of Abyssinia.
Below, will DO found an interesting portrait o.
tho amiablo Theodore:
His appearance was that of man about forty
five, of midding stature, and possessed of we'll
knit but not over powerful frame, conveying more
the idea of being tough and wiry than Of strong
physical developments. His complexion is dark
approaching to black, but he has nothing Of tn,
negro about h;Il. Ho features arc altogether
those Of a European. His head is well formed
and his hair is arranged in large plaits extending
back from the forehead. The forehead is high
and tends to be prominent. His ey, is black, full
Of fire, quick and piercing His muse has LITTLE
of the Roman about it, being slightly arched anc
pointed. His mouth is perfect, and the smile
which during the nversaiorc6ntinually played
upon it, was exceedingly agreeable, muy say
fascinating. lie has very little moustache Of
beard. lls.manner was peculiarly pleasant, gra
cious, and even polite, and his general expression
cyon when his features were Mt rest was one .
intelligence nnd benevolence. On the whole, thu
physiognomist would ind no trace Of fcrce pas
sion except in the lightning glance of his eye.
watched for the keen shot OF light coming from
them ut times, and reflected upon what he coult
be capable OF, but they did not strike ME a.
treucherous eyes. fclt that he could act savage
ly under irritation.