The sun., 1903-10-18

Years ago there was a long and terrible
famine in Abyssnia. A pest killed of, tho
cattle. on which the Abyssnians mainly
depend for food, as they are the greatest
meat eaters on earth. For three years,
while the famine lasted, Menelik would
eat no meat.
why should enjoy plenty he said,
while my people are starving?"
He formed large camps Of his soldiers
in the districts worst afflicted by the famine.
and made the soldiers till the soil to provide
food for the starving people. AT first the
soldiers scorncd the work, but the Emperor
went around to the camps and sowed and
ploushed with his own hands. until no
taught them the nobility of the task
In the days Of his youth. Menelik was
great fighter. He won his kingdom bv
the sword. and his title of "Conquerinp
Lion is no idle boast
Since he became Negus Nagasti he has
put down many formidable risings on the
part Of the Rases or feudal chiefs and has
defeated, besides the Italians, the Egyptians,
the Gallas, the Mahdists the Mad Mullah
and many other formidable foes As the
ii
set Of quarrelsome tribes into a united
nation.
He rises at 3 every morning, and goes
at once to service in his chapel, for ne is
devout Christian. If sermon is too long
for his fancy he tells the preacher to stop,
like Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria.
At 9 o'clock in the morning he receives
his secretaries and starts work. After he
has transacted Government business he
becomes a judge and hears any plants
which may be brought before him.
Menelik Is fond Of going about among
his people in disguise. as the Caliph Ha-
roun-al- Raschid did. Once he found
high official mercilessly beating slave.
He snatched away the whip and hogged
the master until the latter tainted with
pain. The next day he decreed that for
a year the official should be the slave OF
his slave. The sentence was duly carried
out.
At the end of the year Menelik made
inquiries and found that the slave had not
abused his power over his former tyrant.
Thereupon, he set the slave free and gave
him high office in the Government service.
Europeans who visit Menelk are surprised
to find that he knows all about them and
their affairs and motives before they tell
him anything, That Ia due to the elaborate
system OF espionage which he maintains
throughout his country and at the seaports
through which travellers have to pass.
An Englishman came to him once 10
seek for concessions Menelik knew what
he wanted. but asked courteously:
what is the motive of your visit7 Why
have you come so many thousands of miles
from your country"
Thinking he would be diplomatic, the
Englshman replied that he wanted to meet
a great monarch Of whom he had heard so
much.
Menelik turned from him coldy.
There are already too many liars IN
my country" he said You must leave
Adds !. 'ba in an hour, and never return
But straightforward Europeans are
warmly welcomed by the Negus Nagasti
and treated with courtesy and kindness.
When Rennell Rodd visited him to con-
clude treaty on behalf OF Queen Victoria
Menelik discussed the art Of medicine and
surgery as if he we're doctor and expressed
regret that among his numerous presents,
Mr.. Rodd had not brought all X-Ray ap-
paratus Menelik entertained the envoy
and his companions at luncheon. giving
them real European meal, served on fine
china as correctly as at a London club
But the King fed abstemiously on raw beef
and stale bread, which are all he eats.
Menelik stands about feet 10 inches
high, but looks shorter, because OF his
great breadth of shoulders. He is dark
in face, and his features are negroid and
decidedly ugly. He has a frank, open
intelligent countenance. pleasant smile
and a courteous, winning manner.
He is only 5s He has no heir, and when
he dies Abyssinia, in the opinion of European
travellers. will almost certainly fall back
into chaos He is about the only man IN
the country who really desires civilization
and progress.
Menelik ascribes much OF the success
of his government to the wisa counsel
OF his consort, Queen Taitu. Her stand
against Italy is only one OF many brave,
patriotic deeds Menelik is her fifth hus'
band, but they are very devoted couple,
She is now over so and weighs nearly 800