New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-08


vasion Of Abyssinia under Lord Napier took
place. The British army, composed partly of ma
tive regiments from the Highlands of Hindoo-
stan, and partly from Scotch battalons all we'll
seasoned men. disembarked the coast and
marched without the slightest delay under the
Abyssinian plateau upon which they stormed
their way. The troops had therefore. time
to become subject to the enervating influence Of
the fever-strlcken climate on the low-lying coast
and were fresh and fit for fighting. The Abys-
s!nians fought hard; but at that time they were
neither well armed nor so thoroughly or
ganized as they are at present; and moreover,
the English had taken them more or less by sur
prise. Consequently. Negus Theodoros was de-
feated and killed, his stronghold captured, and
his son carried off to England, where he died
soon afterward the British troops leaving the
country as soon as they had accomplished their
purpose.
THE SUCCESSOR OF THEODoROs.
During the anarchy that succeeded the de-
feat and death Of Emperor Theodoros the Egyp-
tians managed to obtain possession Of the prov
lnce of Boghos, with its capital Of Keren, the
northern frontier. But in 1872 a cousin Of
Theodoros. Kassa by name. overcame his ad-
versaries and caused himself 10 be crowned
Emperor OF Abyssnia. thereupon setting to work
to drive the Egyptians out Of the country. Two
Egyptian armies were sent against him. and
were massacred almost to the last man. together
with their European officers. who included
Hungarian count, Zichy; Danish baron. Mum
Finger, and a Dutch count. Ahrendrup, brother
Of the former Governor Of the West Indian ISL
and of St Thomas. and we'll known In New
York. third Egyptian army was thereupon
sent. consisting of over 10000 men. almost en-
trely differed by Europeans and Americans,
and under the command Of Prince Hassan, with
the late American General Loring chief Of
staff. This army shared the fate OF its prede
cessors. only the American officers and Prince
Hassan escaping with their lives. Before the
Prince released the Negus remembering
that Hassan a Mahometan. caused a cross
/ to be branded with hot iron on the palm and
back of each of his hands. 1t was for the pur-
pose Of hiding these scars that Hassan used al
ways to gloves both out and indoors.
THE EMPRESS TAoTI APPEARS.
II was about this time that Empress Ia
oti appeared upon the scene Like her present
husband. who is her cousin. she is descended in
a direct line from the biblical Queen CT Sheta
and Solomon the wisest King of the Jews. In
common with all the Princes and Princesses OF
Abyssinias ancient dynasty. she was exied
by Emperor Theodoros in the early part OF the
sixties, and took refuge with her parents at the
court Of Gondar, where she made the acquaint-
ance Of and fell In love with her cousin Prince
Menelek. an exile like herself
They were about to be married. when Theo-
doros suddenly invited them TO his court as
sur.rg them not only of the security OF their
lives and property ont also Of his favor. Com
plying with his invitation. they returned, but
with evil results as far as their mutual attach
L,I
presented themselves before Theodoros than ne
also fell in love with Taoti. and insisted on maxi
ing her his wife. giving Meneek one OF his own
daughters in marriage.
Empress Taoti. as she had now become. was
subjected TO such il-treatment by her savage
husband that his death at the storming or
Magdala some few months later came 10 her
In the light of a deliverance from untold misery.
and she quickly consoed herself by comforting
her hand and heart upon general or the name
Of Ualde Gabriel. On his also being kilied IN
battle year later. she became the wife Of Gen
eral Tackle Ghiorghis. commander-in-chef or
the army Of the King Of Tigre. Dissatisfied
with the union. she soon obtained divorce
from him and then married the Governor OF
Egiou, but had not lived with him more than
three months before Emperor John caused him
10 be thrown into prison and executed. Rem
dered desperate by her matrimonial msad-
ventures she sought refuge in the Convent OF
Debra- Mem and became nun 1t did not take
long however, to convince her that she was not
made for convent life, and accordingly she op-
tained a dspensaton from her vows from the
archbishop Abounah OF Abyssinia. and mar
ried man of the ma me of Zeccaragaglou. whose
only merit seems to have been his wealth. ana
who i-used her in the most shameful manner.
being accustomed 10 flO~ her most unmerclfully.
Making use of the old-fashioned plea that she
was anxious ito pay a visit 10 her mother
she managed 10 get away from him ana 10 take
refuge In a neighbJring province. carrying
away with her a considerable portion OF his
wealth.
TRUE TO HER EARLY LOVE.
II was while living with her brother In the
Ephrata province In 1882 that she was brought
for the first time into contact again with her
first lover and fance. Menelek who had mean
while become King Of Shoa. Their meeting had
the effect Of reviving all the infatuaton be-
tween the two, and In spite OF his being already
married. Menelek persuaded the ex-Empress
Taoti TO take I'D her abode with him. OF course
Menelek's Wife Queen Tofana. objected. But
she was quickly divorced. and her death fol-
lowed the dissolution Of her marriage with an
altogether suspicious rapdty. Taoti was thus
left without any rival in the affections OF her
loro and was married to him with imposing
ceremony In 1885. being at the time thirty-nve
years old. Ever since then she has exercised a
ma ryellous influence over her husband. who
consults her about everything and invariably
! follows her advice. II was due to her clever
/ and sagacous counses that he formed that AZ
ance with the late Emperor John whlch
| had the result Of assuring TO him the succession
! IN the latter's throne And the astonishing
shrewdness with which he has managed Tor ten
years past to oppose all the EFFORTS mace by the
italian Government In the shape or intrigue ana
| NJ armed attack to obtain possession or his
country is Justly ascribed both by his people
and by his foes to the remarkable cleverness OF
his d,isky consort, Empress Taot the queen
of Queens" and "the sun and light OF ETHIOPIA