The New York herald., 1868-04-29
Geography Of Abyssinia.


ANCIENT ASD JoDERS HISTORY or THE EwPieE-
Irs SITUATION, ENTRANCES, TOPOGRAPHY AND IN
HABlfAETS.
Abyssinla Is a vast country Of Eastern Aftca, ex-
tending between latitude degrees 80 minutes and
10 degrees 10 minutes north, and longitude 81 de-
grees 20 minutes and ~ degrees 20 minutes cast:
bounded the east by Adel, northeast by the l,ed
Sea, northwest by NubIa and south and southeast
by what is known TO explorers the country OF the
Gallas.
From various sources to hand during the progress
OF the war In Ably ssinia ana The Official Topographic
cal reports OF the English authorities we compile the
following statement OF the ancient history and geo.
graphy OF the EMPIRE
More than two thousand years ago the father
OF Greek history described Ethiopia az thc most
distant region OF the earth whose inhabitants were
the tacst most beautiful and "most lona,!lved. OF
the human race. Before him the father of Greek
poetry had already sung OF the Eihiopans 'remotos
OF men, most jus, VITA ..whom thr Immortal fods
delight to banquet" Beyond tie confines Of
Egypt, the furthest nation of whom the Creeks
knew anything there rose vision Of d
mighty empire glorious, ancient, powerful, rich In
gold and jewels and spices. Its Inhabitants dwelt
around the sources of the mysterious Mic, and az
some Thought had power TO restrain pouNlOwn It's
fertlzing waters But 1t was known only hy report.
No traveller had reached its distant borders. No
congusTor had nad marched an army withln tts sacred
the attempt and failed. But history repeats Itself
and II Is II seems, the lot OF England TO be perpelr.
ally treadng in the steps OF the ancient heroes Not
many years ago she reproduced the campaigns OF
Alexander and P0rus In the Punjab. She ~ now
about to conclude the bafed enterprise OF Cam.
byses In Africa. Abyssinia Is really most
ancient empire, which has preserved through
long ages Of Isolation and degradation some relics OF
civilization and Christianity. Surrounded by negro
tribes 1t still maintains In form and language the
higher type Of the semitic race to which ii belongs
Pressed ON all sides by Mahometan invaders IL has
never renquishcd Its nominal adherence 10 the Cos
pel. The royal dynasty, derived origAally-so runs
the tradltlon--from Monilck the sou 81 Ring Solo
mon and the Queen Of sheba, sank down, Ike the
Meroyngans v France, Y = specassloa Of ,ots
SS nv Sssliii sai sSsSsE SSSsFEs R S SvSsGa sSa 81 q
last Abyssinis became little more than neme,
ike France 10 feudal times, or Germany and ITALY
before their latest rchab.tai0ns for collection ci
Independent states, mere geographical expression.
Gbbon concludes his brief summary Of the latest
incident 10 ts history which fell under hii review
tho fed96oSefy Of AbysHna by the Portuguese
jesuitt and les conversion to LRtlh Christianity fol.
lowed by its sudden and total felapse into lie old
Nor rophyste be sesywitA the following characteristic
s,n,cBcs.-afi 3 gAies OF that solitary re i'm wore
fore, O. shut AGAINST the arts the science and the
fanatlc,sm OF Europe II was o premature an.
S5hhSsn,ent. fiflXg The present generation the
gptcs nave been gradually uncosing and will soon
Rc flung wide open by Britain.
| Sir Ssmuei BAKERS book, "1ne Nile Tributaries oi
AbysslnIsr y does not deaf directly with AbyssInla
! proper the COUNTRY VI Theodorus> u tbs work