The silver star., 1900-02-09

hn appellation bestowed by the
Ibs. It means mixture" referring
the mixed character of the inhabi-
ts OF that great country.
here is no exact limit to the vast
nain loosely called Abyssinin. Ly-
between Z deg. 30 min. and is deg.
min. north latitude. forming the ex-
he eastern portion OF Central Az
1t Is the most delightful Of coun-
,. Notwithstanding Its proximity to
equator. for its mountains and
lelands-lying 5000 or 5000 feet
I've the sea level-afYord all ypssible
ieties Of climate and products.
enelik, "Negusa Negust" ("King Of
gs"), Ia absolute monarch Of all the
domain with its 100000 or
5000 Inhabitants. It is divided into
ie large provinces-Tigre ON the
th, Amhara ON the south and Shoa
the southeast. Ethiopic is the Ian
se Of the nrst; Am-harie is spoken
he two other provinces.
he inscription OF Egypt point to the
ortance OF Ethiopia In ancient
es. and It is known that there was
slant communication and often
fare between Egypt and Ethiopia.
to q few years ago. however. little
thought. and less was known OF
country and its Inhabitants. The
iopian was thought of merely as
Of the numerous savage African
pies. But he II not even . negro.
bears NO resemblance to the other
hbitants Of the Dark Continent: in
many Of the Inhabitants Of Abys-
q are Of the Caucasian race. OF
olive tint. approaching more
rly to the Bedouin than to any
pr people In appearance.
lore than this. the Abyssinians are
Christian people. and have been
Fe the fourth century. when Bishop
anasius Of Alexandria. he who
|te the famous Athanasian Greed.
missionaries to them. They are
ependent Christians. however. like
other creed ON earth. They prac-
much Of the Old Testament code.
erving the rite Of circumcision. the
inctions between animals called
IN and unclean In the Pentateuch.
enforce the law IAN eye for an
with q literalness never practiced
Palestine. But they do not forget
Golden Rule. which is observed
directness and simplicity.
a priest was married before he en-
ID the priesthood. he may still re-
his wife. but II not married. he
not marry after becoming n priest.
IRE are numerous churches. but no
ges In them. Great reverence is
to the saints. especially SS.
rye and Michael. The walls Of the
riches are covered with freScoes.
Ire may be seen the Crucifx xion.
Jesus ON the Cross. tho two
ives on either side. the Roman SOL
extending the sponge soaked In
fgar. and Mary weeping at the foot
the cross. Anachr0nisms do not
parrass their mural decorations for
picture Of the Israelites crossing
Red Sea the soldiers Of Phar0ah
armed with guns! Nor are they
ays true to the traditional interpre-
on Of the Bible, for Eve tempts
m with u banana instead Of IN
lc The artist probably never saw
apple. The churches are rude build
circular in shape. with three d.
ons In thcm--nn outer one for the
pie. nm inner one for the priests
the inmost central part for the
Of hoiies. like the temple at Jeru-
IN. In fact, Menelik shows great
sideration for u tribe Of Jcws In
sAinia. the Falashas. nnd pridos
sclf upon his descent from tho wis
Of sovereigns through Menelik !.
ice he calls himself Menelik ii.
life and customs Of the Abyssini-
IRE simple to primitivencss. yet
arc an intelligent people. capable
q high civilization. The army oi
nelik numbers some 100000. n for.
liable force. trained ~ they are and
piled with modern weapons. The
'ans had q little experience with
q which they viii remember fol