The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-11-19
[London Times |

London Times
N. de Sarseck, the French Consul at Mas
SO wah, entered Adowa and was conducted be-
fore the King. He was introduced into the
royal palace ard brought into the presence Of
King John, man of abont thirty years of age
of middle heghth, slim, bis hair of deep black
worn after the AbyssiDian fashion, his eyes
energetic, his nose little curved, his mouth
small, his complexion bronzed brown as an old
Florentine statue. He is extremely agile, sue
cessful in all games, brave to temerity, as
impassive as q Hiudoo and the best rider in lis
country. When III. de Sarseck entered King
John was seated in the Ethiopian fashion,
nine steps, in hall forty metres long. He was
enveloped in a large cloak of cloth-of-gold, and
wore on his head the triple crown of Ethiopia,
resembling the Crown of Solomon, such as it is
painted on the walls of the churches and the
Imperial Palace of Goudar. Around him were
the Rag or feudaSory Princes, in rich white and
purple garments, eaoh wearing light crown
of gold on his head. On both sides of the hall,
according to rank, were the great vassals of
his, crown, and, to complete this thoroughly
oriental picture, on one of the steps was re-
Ginning Ages, one of the four lions which, ac-
cordipg to etiquette, precede the king in COM
bats, and to which King John has given the
name of one of his brothers killed in fighting.
M. de Sarseck was struck by the thorough im-
passiven of this monarch, who, in the midst
of this State audience. seemed to have forgot
ten that an implscable enemy was treading
the soil of the country.
On the end of November the King was in
LOmeu L0AU DIS country was QEnnlGlV6lY In
vaded, that the Egyptian army had arrived at
Addihoals, the last village which precedes the
Valley Of Gondet, and that the vanguard had
penetrated into that valley. King John then
he had convoked the warriors of Abyssinia
The Khedive had thought that the Negus was
going to call on the Princes, his vassals, to
supply the contingent due, bat as these Princes
had been secretly hired by the Khedive to re,
volt, John cav they would refuse to obey, and
that tie would be- poWerless He therefore
preached the Holy War. The Abouna, the re-
liHious chief OF Abyssinia, bad ordered q three
days fast, to which the ng himself sub
mtted, ard had com nsrdsd ali the warriors of
the country, under penalty of excommnnica-
ton, TO be present during IL. and at it's expira-
ton, at the given place, John mounted his
horse at the gate of his palace, north Of Adowa,
at the foot of Mount Challoda. just as he was
about to give the signal of departure, and
when all tine Inhabitants of Adowa and the in
vaded provinces were assembled, there was
formidable earthquake. Men and beasts were
thrown down, the roofs of several houees were
and from the summit OF the Chal-
loda blocks of stone and torrents of dust were
preciptated to the feet of the King. Every
one was alarmed. A moment of hesitation on
the part of the King, and the terror would have
spread all over Ably ssina, and left it to the meI
cy of the invaders. Bot John, Jumping from his
horse, flung himself the ground, and cried
al thank God for the signs of
which chow me that the day has at
length come when the ancient land Of Ethiopia
shall eDgulf her invaders" shout of joy
welcomed these words, and the King remounLed
his horse and left Adowa amid the warm and
applause of the multitude. On the
BIB of November n. de Ssrseck proceeded to
the King at the camp, where he had called his
warrIoIs together, and his astOuishment may
be imagined at seeing the NeRus, who, on the
nd of the month, had only a few hundreds of
cavalry, in command of an army of 10000 men.
All Abyssinia had responded to his call. A
nation essentially feudal, divided into war
like aristocracy and an inferior class, the mobiles
and the Princes are prompt to respond to call
to arms, and six days had suficed to collect
this formidable army.
John, with his whole army, encamped in the
great plain of March, as if he wished 20 offer
battle to the vanguard posted at KberSd Iska
kept up, led to the belief that he was posted
sight miles from the enemy, $4,000 horse
crossed the March and placed themselves on
the flank of the Egyptian van at less than
mile distant. At the moment when the latter,
concealed in little woods, were preparing to
turn the hill to fall back, there was heard
something like long peal of thunder, getting
time to give q command this living hurricane
covered the narrow space on which the little
troop was massed The II 900 A6ys-
,inIau cavalry passed over the unfortunstes.
The Negus, from whom n de Sarseck re-
Vested letter in reply to that of the President
If the French Republic and who had verbally
consented to all required of him, did his utmost
20 retain the French Consul about him. He
would have liked to be able to affirm that he
rejoiced in the protection Of France, showing
The official agent near him in the midBt Of bis
warriors. Bus n. de SaEoeck declined, returned
10 AdoWa, and came back after three dtherent
lttempts without having been able 20 obtain
gne makiRg ~ Nh Eaind . Eo lzns Cor the l.l9G