The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1877-10-02
KING JOHN OF ETHIOPIA.
sketch or an African Kings Splendor that
Outshines tho Arabian NiEhts--A Bar
barrie Banquet.

sketch OF an African Kings Splendor that
Outshines tho Arabinn Nishts--A Bar
barrie Banquet.
IFrom the London SPECTATOR
King John of Ethiopia is striking
and picturesque parsonage. As Kassa,
Prince of Tigre, claiming equal descent
with Theodorus from King Solomon, he
figured largely in the Blue books which
formed an exceedingly interesting but
little read history of the events which
preceded the Abyssinian expedition; and
that impression is deepened by the ac-
count given by Mr.. de Cosson-who, in
company with the late Gen. Kirkham,
visited King John Mt his camp, near Con
dar, the ancient capital of Abyssinia, in
1873-of the king and his surroundings.
The country, it's people, their wives, and
their faith, are not like any of the Afri-
can types in other portions of the con-
tinent. They remind us of the
Scriptures; the whole picture is
like that of the tribes and the feuds
which we find in the book of Genesis
and the books of the Kings. Long be-
fore the king is reached, the traveller
hears tales of him--his strength, his
wisdom, and his prowess in war. At
Axum, the former capital of Tigre, he
ls shown the great monoGth, seventy
feet high, and told how Kassa used to
cast his heavy spear over it-a great feat
to do with IN ordinary lance-and still
practises this exercise when he comes to
A1um. There is little disposition to
"forward" a traveller, the disposition to
keep their country free from the stranger
being as strong as ever in the Abyssians,
but tho king promises his help and pro-
lection to all who shall be properly
recommended to him by the French con-
sui at Massowah, and the reluctance of
intervening perscnages has to give way.
When MI. de Cosson had taken pos
session OF his tent, near the monarch's
enclosure, the king sent him two jars
full OF q dreadful drinkable called tedge,
fifty " breads, an antelope's horn full
of salt and pepper, and live COW, which
was killed and cut up before his eyes, and
the meat piled up inside the tent. He
subsequently visited The hotfse Of MIR
cher, one of the kings interpreters.
which was, like all the Abyssian houses,
constructed of wood and branches, and
there he saw q pretty sight, that of Muir
cher's horse formifg one of the family
circle. The beautiful, intelligent animal
was lodged in a little thatched stall open-
ing into the house, his neck adorned
with handsome chain, his food and
drink given him at regular intervals in
clean earthen dish, the corn being the
same as that of which the household
bread was made; he was regarded as a
cherished friend and comrade. After the
civilities Of the kings interpreters. came
the good Offices of the kings cook, who
sent the honored guest four dishes of
curry. The kings cook, who also acts
as faster, is great parsonage; he must
be priest, must have always led an ire
proachable life, and is never permitted
to marry.
Next day at dawn came one of the
officers Likamanguas." splendidly
dressed in n robe of fowered silk, with
an India muslin kunrie, and silver
mounted pistols in his sash, to inquire
after the travellers health in his maiesty's
name. He was one of those who have
the privilege of wearing the same dress
as his sovereign, and the dangerous dis
tlnctlon OF going into battle similarly
armed, 80 that the royal person may not
be distinguished. Early in the after
noon came Maderakal, another interpre-
ter, attended by an esquire, bearing the
royal sword and shield, to conduct the
stranger to the kings banqueting hall
Drums and trumpets sounded; q salute
was fred from battery of brass howit-
zcrs as the guest entered the wooden,
oAAsIAA6D "a OOAoAi3 1OIut huu
vast extent, with double colonnade of
tree trunks leading to the center, where,
on divan, raised high and draped with
purple velvet, sat King John of Ethiopia,
cross-legged, n pair of English rides,
cooked and loaded, resting on the cush-
ions to left and right Of him, and his
slippers of soil. silver flagree on the
carpet before him. By his side was o
beautiful sword, with q sheath of velvet
and enamel; on his head the great triple
crown of Ethiopia flashed with gold and
jewels; his robe was a cloth of silver,
and over his brows hung long veil of
crimson silk, worn under the crown and
falling in heavy folds round the face.
Tho barbaric splendor of that scene was
perfect in every respect. Here. are Mr..
de Cosson's words, which fell. he says,
far short Of his Impressions: "On eithec
side of the throne stood two gigantir
ennuchs, Glad in shirts Of purple and
green silk, and holding drawn sabres.
A swarthy guard of honor, dressed with
equal magnificence, stood also with
drawn aahrea babioI. xu1,i1o oil oro,,o1