New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-03
NEW PUBLICATIONS..
AN ABYSSINlAN MISSION.

Mr. Smith was dispatched hy the British Gov
eminent as Envoy TO King ,OhanniS. of AbyS>inIa,
II charge of sword of honor presented 10y ia"
Queen. He has written lively and entertain
ing account of his mission. and ol the prepare
lions for it, lie had hoped 20 travel in company
with an Italian Embassy t. Tie kin@ OF Zion.
but at the last moment 'hc Italian Government
recalled its ENJOYS, account Of th" threatening
aspect of affair, consequent upon the occupation
of Mussowuh Mr.. Smith therefore 0'hscd
to make the long and difficult Journey through
Abyssnia alone. OF course he had consd"Ia''c
native retinuo and a number OF pack inu"S I"
transport his connnssariat, ard tie present" iie
had brought with hA. II was not his hrs'
visit to the country, tor he had been mriAher
of Admiral Sir William Ilewetts Embassy f."
years before. Since then, however, tr WIN
drawal of England from active interference IN
Abyssnian affairs ana The Italian OPP riiol>. iiad
rendered it questionable whether kr:S |"lHnni>
would extend very hearty welcome 10 his former
allies; and thus the reception of Nh Hmi'n WAS
somewhat dubious from tie beginning 1t Is
evident that lie had a natU:dl aptitude lor organ
izing such expeditions. for few Travellers fec"E"
90 successful an arrangement vi native i"ll""'rS
The Alyssinlans, il is true. appear To ~ exceptions
allv dociIc and faithful: in fact. Mr.. Snli, puts
them above all urciyil1cd yaccs III this respect
But his preparations were slngu!a!l% th"l-h'iui.
we'll Judged, and comprehensive, ana he had Irdihcd
exactly what TO take and what not To o'he a.
well Us how to pack and carry his baggage.
The narrative does not embrace any serious
perils harhrcadth escapes, or exciting advent urrs,
but it shows that the envoy might have had
much and serious trouble had lie not been vigildn,
and when occasion required. rcsOlu,c. Eas A!nid.
the ecncraln-chicl Of Tie Kin. : forces, pr"NlGcd
q military escort and guides for the ntl>>ioi'
but these more annoyance than help ioi
the one idea OF the native soldiers WS 10 take Tie
envoy ont of his way 50 that lIcE c"oId levy
contributions upon as many VILLAGES as po:Si'"'
As Mr. Smith carried lis own provisions thcl'' Was
10 necessity for these 'lctOuis. AMI Lee soon diN-
covered the methods Of LIS guides. ANA refused
70 follow their directions Whenever the>" involved
loss of time lie had all Admiralty L.np. and this
lie found TO bc the only trustworthy one. th"n:h
it was at best approx imativc After tedious
tourney in TRYING wcathcr-,t rancd very haii ami
often-and more or less trouble with men ami
mules, he reached Tie Kings quarters and was
cordially received. He lives portrait oil '"'' l~
which represents him - Il dc'lfcdN ihhl!I-'W
and finc-looking man. ana lie speaks OF hnn as
follows: Actually about fifty years Of orc. hiS
1.-the frame. keen exc. and quick, m'c!!l4"hl rA-
preston are more tho>" of man twenty years
younger. When speaking 10 one thio"%h all H.
tcrpreter, he lowers his cNchds tiN ms wor"s ar"
regards undoubtedly often divining tie coinlrs
answer from tie expressions produced ny his OWN
remarks on the face Of him whom he is talking
Unless his OWN rcIonder Is ready 10 his lips h.
pauses between each question, usually resting his
chin in tie palm of his hand. while al! the AMI
nation dies ont Of Lis face a. he considers his
next question. 4, such moments ore m,elt sup
pose that he had nothing ni"ic :" say. In char
acter he may I've cruel, bit pr9hl'.y no. more
so than the generality of LIS slp"c's, Lol ti1n
the eAigcncics OF a 0arhaI!c rule VvcI q Wild
and vet cunnin" race compel. lie - lc!d IL
great awe BY his Subjects, from IN" hi-Icst u
lac lowest Ills supremacy. bravery. and sncc'N'
are undsputcd, except 10y the wa:kr Galas
and the bonstful. bu; really submissive, Mehrch,
King of Sheba."
Tie envoy Narrowly escaped 4 din nlty, OWN
to the Kings L,is.pp!cacn,IDn Of TWO letters whWb
Lad been shown hIal Ore wa from Lord Sails
bury to Mr.. Smith in card t" The dispatch Of
the sword of honor Tie other "on'Ilnc a no'I.
fcation that the swor! WAS rot ready. Inc ME-
and his coupsclloGs got il MO thrtr Lc.i tat
two swords we're ~ tc sent, and. wEcn Nj SMITH
tried to explain the matter 70 ~" King. Lis Mn
istcrs would not adLt hnn 10 ten master, ic,1i-
ins tho Consequences Themselves when IL" dis
covered that tAcv h.d hlIIidewd Tie envoy II
last prccpitatcd crls, by clrnin., IL tie top
Of the palacc cote and &C. arh. his intention 10
,eniain there uI.t!l tic kn- Informed that
h. requested an immediate audience. Ills meas
urc frightened the couriIci>, the KiE: was told,
the audience was granted, i:.d The c>pC,Hat!"A Vs.
gIacousy received. Thcn J"hann' '"'~t""'t
robes Of honor npon Tie c!.yoy, "ho -ITco rather
funny acc unit OF TIE al.
At : O'clock in the mpri;ng the Ming s. NJ fol
me and after short c"nIc.Slii"r WIh fd OH
from the 10Y presence ana coadrr'cd Gown Il
l,.,pk In