The sun., 1880-11-21

Dy WulCn lbuhll btIOVo u oAleuu ulb uOhihiohD
to the southward. 1t is not, however. the parts
OF this book that deal with the internal affairs
OF Egypt under the present progressive regime
on which we propose to dwell. nor need We
touch on the explorations and conquests In tho
Soudan. rs to which information 10 forthcoming
from several other sources. But we would
draw attention to certain facts relating to Abys-
sinia. which the author has gathered at fret
hand or from the lips Of trustworthy eye-wit-
nesses. and which illustrate the political and
social condition OF that isolated and interesting
country.
The history OF Abyssinia carries us back well
nigh as far as the annals Of Egypt and China.
and, unlike tho record OF those countries. 1t
bears no sign OF permanent foreign conquest.
What is even moro remarkable. Abyssinia re-
tanned up tn very recent date at least one DO
ltical institution which constituted living liR-
ament between the present and an immemorial
past. The Menelek dynasty. whether we choose
to accept or discard the national legend attrib-
uting its foundation to q son OF King Solomon
and the Queen Of Sheba, has unquestionably
reigned in the whole or somo part OF the land
for upward OF twenty centuries, q re-
tenton OF power on the part OF a par
ticular family only paralleled In the
case Of the Mikado. The analogy between
Abyssinia and Japan might be carried further.
for the Ras or provincial chiefs havo frequently.
like the Shoguns usurped the substance OF
civil and military authority. while usually
shrinking from asserting the title OF Hegus. or
King OF Kings. There is still, 1t seems. one
lineal descendant OF the Menelek family in the
male line. at present an old. inflrm. and child
less man. who has been thrust aside by the late
King. Theodore. and the present King. john
both OF whom. though usurpers. have von-
tured to assume the imperial style and dig
A.GA.
considerably south OF Tigre. is an ofrshoot
Of the historic house through O female line
and bears the historic name OF Menelek.
There is little doubt that this prince
on the death OF King John. who has but one
child. will succeed in reestablishing the ancient
dynasty. We shall then witness the strange
spectacle Of a contemporary monarch who can
trace his descent without break to tho ancient
kings OF Ethiopia. to sovereiRns who repulsed
Cambyses. who defled the Ptolemies. and who
withstood not only, the shock OF Roman ag-
gression but the tidal wave OF Moslem con-
quest which submerged all northern and much
OF eastern Africa.
The prolonged reign OF the Menelek dynasty.
and the fact that their subjects have stubbornly
held to the Christian faith. although almost en-
veloped by Mohammedans are not the only ex-
amples Of survival under untoward circum-
STANCES afforded by this country. There is. 1t
seems. in the heart OF the land between the old
metropolis OF Ethiopia. Axum. and the new
capital. Gondar. a large community OF Jews who
have maintained the purity OF their blood and
their religion for twenty centuries. who have
successfully resisted the Christian propaganda.
and who. strengthened by largo numbers OF
Hebrews driven out OF Egypt after the Moslem
occupation OF that country. made themselves
masters OF central Abyssinis. and established
Jaxviah kinp1Om which laated IN RAJ
dred years.
The very early development OF civilization in
Abyssinia was doubtless owing to the fact that
1t lay in the direct route OF the caravans which
are believed to have travelled between India
and Mero6 in prehistoric times. when the Delta
was yet morass. This commerce with Asia is
thought to have taken the following road.
namely. from MeroG in southeasterly dreo-
ton along the river March. through Axum. the
old capital Of Ethiopia. to the port OF Zulla
then Adulla). near the base OF the Red Sea. and
thence to Arabia Felix During the flourishing
period OF Meroe's history this avenue OF trade.
as Col. Dye points out. must have been under
her control. and 1t was not until Egypt had es-
tablished new channel OF connection with
the East by the isthmus and the ports at
the head OF the Red Sea that the lat
ter country freed herself from commercial
dependence on Ethiopia. The relation OF
Meroe and Axum to the oldest highway TO India
explains much that would otherwise be enig-
matical in the recently deciphered annals CT
ancient Egypt 1t was only, however in
Ptolemaic times that the bond OF common in
terest and constant intercourse which for ages
had united the upper and lower Nile was per-
manently severed by the creation OF the port OF
Berenice within the boundaries OF Egypt
proper. which new haven of Red Sea traffic
fuaa limb hva 10 ton tha
Nile. 1t was with the hope OF dealing final
blow to the waning power OF his Ethiopian
rival by utterly destroying the direct trade OF
the latter with Arabia that Ptolemy Euergetes
seized Adults.
1t is very seldom that an officer engaged in
active military operations has tho inclination.
or.we may add the power. to solve archaeological
problems by the help OF minute Photographed
Investigations. The suggestions concerning
the early relations OF Egypt with Ethiopia
which Col. Dye has bear enabled to offer by a
study OF the ground are OF interest and value.
but they occupy. OF course. only secondary
place In his account OF Abyssinia. He has much
that is new to tell US about the present condition
OF the inhabitants. He also confirms much
which had been received with some distrust on
the report OF travellers whose opportunities
OF observation were less thoroughly authenti-
Gated. The people. it seems. have no science
and no literature. They have long had, in
deed the Ethiopic translation OF the Bible. but
this Is used exclusively by the priesthood. and
the same thing may be said OF the version OF
the New Testament in the Amharic tongue,
which Is, wo are told. the court language.
Rude. fragmentary chronicles in ,ne Geez
language are kept by the priest, In four or five
OF the principal churches out are never seen by
tne people ihe 1.-Two music is OF a very simple
XIV w.. ,ne principal instruments being huge
clarionet and species OF tmbrel. There Is no
painting sculpture or architecture. When
| church is built foreigner is employed to make
the doors and windows. There are no trades In
Abyssnia. Each soldier fashions for himself
all his weapons except firearms, Bullets are
| cut from chorito schist which Is found every
where throughout the country. Iron ore, which