Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-26
WITH TIE King or ABYSslyLI.
Especial correspondence london Daily Ncw,.l


Facing the entrance. and against the cir
cular wall OF the hut. on throne covered
with yiOlct-satin cloth, and supported on
either side 10y pillows Of thu same rich
stun, with the cross Of Solomon worked in
gold thereon, sat the "negus NeguSti" and
King Of Zion. On this right stood servant
vItha silycT-handlcd horsc-hair fly-switch.
which lie KEEP; swaying to aud fro to keep the
flies from feeding oil the butter on his royal
head, for in the habit oi grea,ing doth his
Majesty indulge rs well aS his lOwly sub
irCts, and the iat sparkcd on his crisp
hair. neatly plated in three broad pieces
stretched from The forehead over the royal
Uranium to the nape OF the neck. where the
plaits narrow. and are held together with A
di1mOnd-headed pin. Drawn up Just over
the tip 81 his nose. and totally covering the
lower part Of his face and body. was the
ShCmma. or tOga. similar to the one given
by Alula to the Admiral, embroidered
with various colored silks In broad stripe
down the centre o. the cloth, which l. the
token OF nobility. The King, who wa, in
deed all eyes and ears. scanned lis each suS-
piciously a we approached the throne and
bowed. He shook hands with Sir William
Hewitt and Mason Bey, this movement
nccessitatlng the partial uncoyering Of the
body, showing the massive Order OF Solo
mon cleaning on 4 gown Of black silk ;
but only for a mOmert was so much royal
tv seen; and H. the Admiral and the Egyp-
tian representatives seated themselves on
cape-bOttomed chairs provided for them a
little distance on the left Of the throne the
toga was up to his mouth again, rs il our
presence had suddenly made him feel worry
III - fan.
one almost expected him TO rush for
the door or call the steward, and a
dim 'ision OF the far-of but dear old
Calais packet appeared to many OF u.s.
The Admiral soon settled down to bust.
ness, and rose TO present the Queens
letter, which looked a very formidable
episte as it lay i'm the pretty blue silk case
worked by Lady Straugford. Mason Boy
followed with the Khedivc's letter. and
Captain speedy with that OF Lord Napier,
Of MagGala. The Ra' took each letter and
held them toward the King, who only
bowed. They were then handed to the
Chancellor. Aliula, who a few weeks ago
was playing the naughty chieitain with
surroundings mere regal and rrtinue rs
large as the Kings, and muilled up to the
nose as that monarch was to-day. now
stood atashed and humble before his
monarch. with his shcmma down TO his
waist and lOwe-ed head. The interview be.
coming slow and oppressive, the Admiral
asked permission to 20, expressing a hone
that now his mission was nearly finished,
and having waited the Kings pleasure for
five weeks, that his Majesty would allow
him 10 return soon to the coast and his
shin :. The NeguSti then opened his lips
for the first time during the interview. and
whispered the word d" Echec," which in
plain English means all right or very well !;
then the toga once more closed his mouth,
and also our interview, 80 we rose, bowed
and left the hut. On issuing into the court
yard we found that all the presents had
now arrived from our camp below, 20 the
Admiral, 10 avoid another Journey, re-
solved to deliver them at once, and again
we found ourselye, in the presence Of
the Kirg. A. servant after servant
brought in the numerous bulky pre-
SCENTS and placed them at the feet OF
the NCgu,u, deep interest was apparent in
HI, keen black eyes, and as The glittering
plated weapons came TO h,syiew, as boXaiter
box was pried opened. Johannes gradually
dropped his t0gi from his mouth, and be-
came yisiby affected by the sincerity OF
mission thus provided with such valuable
arguments. Now placed on better foot
mg, the King even condescCndCd 10 smile
his thanks. which lighicned mp hi, other
wise gloomy face and made it quite
pleasant. It 4, lean and wan. broad
Just over the brows, which are
perfectly arched, deep-seatcd. large
black eyes. nose slightly jew
,h but small. and a mouth and chin
showing weakness that belle the upper
part Of the face. His color Is almost negro
in it, blackne,s. and WAS much intensified
against The Wilderness OF the shcmma.
During this second visit one had more lei
-urc in noticing the surroundings 81 this
monarch OF Ethiopia. The interior OF the
but had nothing TO recommend it above
other native interiors. The walls were
Of PLAIN mud and stone uneyenly faced,
and without any attempt at dccOra-
tive art, or even draped with cotton
cloth. ~ that II Alluh',. The carthen
floor was bare. with The exception OF q
few WCll.wOrn pieces u Brussels carpet
leading from the entrance up 10 the foot
OF what served for q throne. There was
10 attempt at state: a few dOmcstic> iOilcd
against the walls, and on the left side "
the throne stood priest. whose seeming
occupation was 10 keep the flies from hi,
own nose with the aid Of . piece Of a cows
tail. There appeared 10 b. no one in par
ucular 10 keep the door or liit the cloth ~
one entered or passed ont. And when We
did the latter. after cheerful goodbye
from the King, wc had To move 1t for our
selves.