Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-10-12
mEmeL,k 10 KING or KINGS.


Tribes Of Savaoes.
Perhaps the most interesting Of
kings 10 Menelik Of Abyssinia.
He was born in 1842 and claims to be
the descendant OF the queen Of Sheba,
whose own son, of the same name.
was reputed to be the son Of Solo
mon.
The visitor to the capital of what
Menelik has made q united Abyssinia
Is agreeably surprised. to find himself
travelling over smooth and well-con-
structed roads.
The imperial palace occupies the
crest of hill and dominates the whole
city. Standing In garden grounds in.
closed by a number Of buildings, to
which access is obtained by travers.
ing several cOurtyards and q spacious
campus. where are stationed the only
body Of regularly European trained
troops in the Ethiopian army.
A wide doorway of Indian design
admits the newcomer to the audience
nall. a large half church-like structure.
with roof supported by timber work,
at the far end of which stands the
throne. The floor is covered with or
ducts Of French and German looms.
Back Of these lines formed by the pill
lars are massed ON ceremonial &C.
casions. In either aisle. hundreds Of
the chief people Of the capital. dressed
In many-colored raiment.
The throne itself Is a sort of divan
and occupies q platform surmounted
by q gilded canopy the gift Of France.
At receptions each side Of it is de-
Tended by two young princes with
guns. while behind and around are
grouped the ministers, judges and Of
ficers of the court.
The first impression made by the
emperor is distinctly pleasing one.
His face Is full of intelligence and his
manners are those of gentleman no
less than of king. He sits In oriental
fashion, his legs crossed and his arms
sustained by two cushions.
He wears an outer garment red
velvet mantle, which affords glimpses
of snowy white underclothing. and
about his head is wound q white hand
kerchief. Diamond ear-drops hang at
either cheek and both hands are
adorned with rings.
To converse with the stranger he
makes use of his private secretary.
who Is also an interpreter, since he
speaks no other language than that
or Abyssinia. Some scraps OF French
he can upon occasion employ aprOpOs
and to an English-speaking person he
will as a compliment say a "howdO.
The emperor's thirst for information
is phenomenal and his knowledge OF
other countries ia more considerable
than one might imagine from the meag.
err sources at his disposal. He can dis.
course on the United States recent
war with Spain and more summary
on the war of independence with Great
Britain.
President Roosevelt he has evident.
to be much interested in his person.
ality. Having heard that the president
Is sportsman, he expressed the hope
of seeing him some day in Ethiopia
inquired his age and was eager to
have the story Of his election narrated
The Empress Taitu rarely or never
assists at the reception of visitors un
less some public ceremony Is involved
absolutely requiring her presence. Sht
is said to be a woman of great fOrct
of character and to have been In ne
youth of striking beauty.
| She Is now AZ years Of age and Il
the daughter of a former ras Of Gonda
and one of the hereditary princesse
of the absorbed kingdom Of Siemen
the inhabitants of which are repute'
for their white skins. Several time
married previously, she became tn
wife of Menelik in 1888. They have NJ
children.
Menelik calls himself "the lion o
the tribe of Judah. the chosen of tn
Lord. king of kings of Ethiopia
Independent Magazine.