The Springfield herald., 1900-02-09

Is an appellation bestowed by the
Arabs. 1t means mixture" referring
to the mixed character of the inhabi-
tants OF that great country.
There is no exact limit to the vast
domain loosely called Abyssinia- Ly-
ing between I deg. 80 min. and Is deg.
80 min. north latitude. forming the ex-
treme eastern portion Of Central Al
rica. 1t is the most delightful of coun-
tries. Notwithstanding its proximity to
the equator. for its mountains and
tablelands-lying 5000 or 5000 feet
above the sea level-af!ord all possible
varieties of climate and products.
Menelik, "Negusa Negust" c'King of
Kinss"). is absolute monarch of all the
wide domain with its 100000 or
5000, 900 Inhabitants. 1t is divided into
three large provinces-Tigre on the
north, Amhara on the south and Shoa
on the southeast. Ethiopic is the Ian
guage of the first; Am-harie is spoken
in the two other provinces.
The inscription of Egypt point to the
Importance of Ethiopia in ancient
times, and 1t is known that there was
constant communication and often
warfare between Egypt and Ethiopia.
Up to few years ago, however, little
was thought, and less was known of
the country and its Inhabitants. The
Ethiopian was thought of merely as
one of the numerous savage African
peoples. But he is not even negro.
He bears no resemblance to the other
inha abitants of the Dark Continent; in
{1k t.g ~ f--e.-
sinia are OF the Caucasian race, OF
dark olive tint. approaching more
nearly TO the Bedouin than to any
other people in appearance.
More than this. the Abyssinians are
e Christian people. and have been
since the fourth century, when Bishop
Athsnasius OF Alexandria, he who
wrote the famous Athsnasian Greed.
sent missionaries 70 them They are
independent Christians. however like
no other creed on earth. They prac-
tice much of the Old Testament code.
observing the rite Of circumcision, the
distinctions between animals called
clean and unclean in the Pentateuch,
and enforce the law An eye for an
eye" with literalness never practiced
in Palestine But they do not forget
the Golden Rule, which is observed
with directness and simplicity.
II priest was married before he en-
tered the priesthood, he may still re-
tain his wife, but if not married, he
cannot marry after becoming a priest.
There are numerous churches, but no
images in them. Great reverence is
paid to the saints, especially SIS.
George and Michael. The walls of the
churches are covered with frescoes,
where may be seen the Crucif xion,
with Jesus on the Cross. the two
thieves on either side, the Roman sol
dier extending the sponge soaked in
vinegar, and Mary weeping at the foot
of the cross. Anachronisms do not
cmbarrass their mural decorations for
in a picture of the Israelites crossing
the Red Sea the soldiers OF Pharoah
are armed with guns, Nor are they
always true to the traditional interpre-
tation of the Bible, for Eve tempts
Adam with banana instead of an
apple. The artist probably never saw
an apple. The churches are rude builG-
ings, circular in shape, with three di-
visions in them-an outer one for the
people, an inner one for the priests
and the inmost central part for the
holy of holes. like the temple at Jeru-
salem. In fact, Menelik shows great
consideration for a tribe OF Jews in
Abyssinia. the Falashas. and prides
himself upon his descent from the wis
est of sovereigns through Menelik l.
Hence he calls himself Menelik II.
The life and customs of the Abyssini-
ans are simple to primitiveness. yet
they are an intelligent people, capable
of a high civilization. The army OF
Menelik numbers some 10000. a for
midable force, trained as they are and
supplied with modern weapons. The
Italians had a little experience with
them which they viii remember for