The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-05-22
PORTS OF ENTRY.

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| PORTS OF ENTRY.
The following short account of the diff
ferent harbors which communicate with the
routes that have been mentioned has been
furnished by the photographer to the Ad-
miralty
Massowah.-Eight or ten of the largest
ships, with double the number of smaller
ones could be securely moored in the har
Dor. There is also good harbor called
Dahah-leah, larger than Massowah, about
mile to the north. In both of these the
water is quite smooth. The fresh water
supply is from tanks in the island of Mas
sowah. There is fresh water also at Daha-
leah. Fresh water is not abundant either
here or in any other part of the Red Sea,
but the supply at Massowah could proba-
bly, be increased by digging wells on the
main land.
There is pier with facilities for landing
on Massowah island which is connected
with the main land by low, wet ground
about mile in length. The rainy season
is from November to March.
1t is $50 miles from Alden and 800 from
Perrin. The navigation for the greater part
of the way is clear and safe, and for the
whole way in daytime for carefully naviga-
ted ships
Annesley Bay.-The water is inconvenient-
ly deep. 1t is described as presenting a re-
markable contrast in point of fertility to
other spots bordered by low land producing
rich pastures. Fresh water may be pro-
cured. Although not so convenient q spot
for naval operations as Massowah, yet if
other advantages preponderated in favor of
it, it is more than probable that no great
difficulty would be encountered ON account
: of the ships anchorage, landing, &c.
Saukin.-The harbor is very small, the
approach is studded with dangers, and
there is no outside anchorage. 1t is ex-
tremely hot Thermometer in May ranges
from eighty-nine to ninety one degrees in
June from ninety-three to ninety-seven de-
grees. Very much less vegetation than at
Massowah. Water procured from wells.
Amphilla is described as the most mis-
cradle spot on the coast of Abyssinia. In
regard to anchorage, facilities for landing,
&C., it is not to be compared to Massowah.
!; According to the Admiralty charts it is
very circumscribed and intricate
Tajurrah is quite unsafe and exposed to
the northeast monsoon, as well as the south
erly winds, and it is probable that ships
could not lie there, nor landing be effect
ed very often.
There is no other spot but Massowah and
its immediate neighborhood where ships
could lie safely for any time, and where
troops and munitions of war could be dis
embarked with celebrity and safety.
CITIES AND CHIEF TOWNS.
The following are some of the principal
towns of Abyssinia =
! Gondar, in Amhara--the capital of the
kingdom. This town is stated by Heuglin,
in 1862, to have contained from 5000 to T.
900 inhabitants, but it is said to have been
within the last two or three years totally
destroyed by the Emperor Theodore,
Debra Tabor, in Internationally q
small village. It is now place of consid-
cradle size and the residence of Theo-
dorus. Near Debra Tabor is Gaffat, where
the European workmen of the Emperor re-
side, and which may be considered as his
arsenal
Adowa, the capital of Tigre-Fhis is the
second city in the kingdom. 1t is stated
by MN. Ferret and Galinier to have con-
tanned in 1910 not more than 1000 inhGbi-
tants. Heuglin, in 1862, put the popula-
ton at 5000. The miserable nature of
Abyssinian towns may be judged of by the
description given by Mansfeid Parkyns, III
1S43, of this, the second city of the empire.
He says:
81 own 1 rather expected to see columns
) or obelisk, if not an acropolis, on some of
the neighboring hills. Judge, then of my
astonishpent when on arriving at this
great city, the capital of one of the most
powerful kingdoms of Ethiopia, 1 found
nothing but large struggling village of
huts, some flat rooted, but mostly matched
with straw, and the walls of all of them
built of rough stones, laid together with
mud, in the rudest possible manner Being
wet, moreover, with the rain the place pre-
sented the most miserably dirty appear
ance."
Mr. Dufton, who visited Adowa, puts
its population at 10000.
: Antalo-the capital of Enderta, one of
the principal towns ofTigre. 1t is said by
Ferret and Galinier to contain from 200 to
800 houses.
Chelicut, near Antalo.-This town is
said by Lefebvre and Ferret and Galinier
to contain about 5000 inhabitants.
Sokota-the capital of Lag and Wasta,
is place of considerable size.
Dixah, in Tigre This is the first town
that is met with after surmounting the
Taranta passes. Ferret and Galinier say
of it :
"a group of wretched huts, scattered ir-
regularly on the top of barren mountain,
miserable village, containing about !,
500 souls Christians and Mussulmsns-
there is Dixah."
Tzazega-the capital of Hamazen, said
by Heuglin to contain from 1900 to 1900
inhabitants.
Abbiaddy-the capital of Tembien.-
Mr.. Dufton says that the place is Mahome-
dan, and has an occasional market, and that
when he entered it about 1000 people were
assembled in the market place.
Addigraht-the capital of Agame.
Howzen, or Aouissienne-the capital of
Haramat.
Mota-a large town in Godiam, said by
DR.. Beke to contain 5000 inhabitants.
Ankobar-the capital of Shoa.
Angolala.-This is a place of considera-
BILE size in Shoa. 1t is said to contain from
1900 to 1000 inhabitants.