Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1903-09-29
WILLIAM {. CURTIS WRITES OF
HISTORY OF THE EMPEROR
OF ABYSSiNlA.
Direct Desc endant of King Soiomomn
and the Beautiful Queen
Of Sheba.

EhOrlty for the statement CnaC inc
Queen of Sheba was Solomon's wife.
While there is no evidence in the
Scriptures to sustain such a theory,
the traditions of Abyssinia tell us that
the Queen of Ethiopia bore a son to
the King of Israel and that the pres
ent dynasty, represented by the en-
peror of Negus Menelik II, Victorious
Lion Of the Tribe of Judath, King of
the Kings of Ethiopia, Lieutenant and
Vice Regent of God, is their direct de-
scendant.
The records of the imperial family
of Abyssinia, which are thousands Of
years old-almost as old as those OF
China and confidently believed by all
the people of that nation-sustain
the traditions. and there are several
curious old manuscripts relating to
the love affair between King Solomon
and his royal visitor. They include
graphic descriptions of the wonderful
ceremonies and demonstrations that
occurred during her journey to and her
stay in Jerusalem, where, it is said,
she discarded her own religion and
adopted that of the Jews, received
the name Bilkis in addition to that of
MaQurda, as she was known in her
own country, entered the harem OF
Solomon and bore him son.
Josephus in his chapter on Jewish
antiquities Identifies the Queen of
Sheba as the Queen of Ethiopia, as
Abyssinia was known at that time
and confirms the Biblical story of her
journey to Jerusalem. The Talmud
tells us that she had a love affair with
Solomon, but it does not speak of
their marriage or of their son.
The Bible account of the visit to
Jerusalem makes no mention of a mar
riage It merely tells us that she
was accompanied by a great train Of
camels, laden with spices and gold
and precious stones, and that she be-
came convinced that Solomon was the
wisest man living(
The version given by the Koran and
other Mohammedan literature confirms
the Abyssinian traditions sometimes
in minute detail, but in other places
contradicts them This version says
that Solomon sent messenger to
Marqurda. queen of Ethiopia, of
whose wealth and beauty he had learn
ed inviting her to visit him, and that
she made the journey with an enor-
mcus caravan of camels and a large
military escort, bearing rich presents
in order 20 show her admiration for his
power and glory. TIC test his wisdom
she brought in her train 500 girls dress
ed IS Boys and as many boys clad in
the raiment usually worn by girls
Solomon was smart enough to dis
as they were brought before him. So
impressed was Marqurda by his learn
ing wisdom. wealth and power that
she placed her own government under
lis protection, accepted his religion
adopted the name Bil1is, which he con-
ferred upon her, and made him pres
,ents Of immense value. and great mag
nifccnce.
Solomon reciprocated her sentiments
and desired to marry her, but she re-
fused him The explanation given by
her attendants was that although pos
above that of any woman Of her time,
she had a defOrmity which caused her
great modification, and she declined
the hand and heart of the great king,
because, if she married him. she could
not prevent aim from discovering this
defect in her otherwise perfect person.
In order to convince himself whether
the story was true or false Solomon in
vented trick and caused her to walk
across a floor of glass under which a
stream of water was running. The
queen, when she reached the place,
unconsciously lifted her skirts and
Solomon discovered that her ankles
and limbs were covered with thick
growth Of hair like the legs of an ami
NAL. The great king called skilled
surgeons of his court. had the hair
removed without difficulty and took
her into his harem, where she lived
for nearly two years and bore him a
son called Menelek, who returned to
Abyssinia with his mother and became
the progenitor of an unbroken line of