The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1868-06-06 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

ANOTHER VERSION OF THE LAST MOMENTS OF THEODORE.  The Petrie if the 29th l'1! ay prints what purports to be an Abyssinian version of the last moments of Theodore. The report commences by praising the loyal and generous conduct of England ; " for, whilst regretting the monarch who was our friend, and who now reposes in immortality, we must render homatou to the courage and will of the rota pierors." On leant. lug that the English had disembarked, Theodore thought that they would March on his capital by way of the fertile plains of Dembea, the entrance to which he was prepared to defend. Ile regarded the occupation of Senafd as a ruse de guerre to make him abandon the fonnitlable mesithets he hold, and did not move. This is why the English accused Theodore of indecision. He refused to listen to his spies, and when doubt was no longer posssiltle it was too late. His cavalry remained at Amanita, and with 22,000 musketeers he marched on Magdala. He tried to defend the defiles, but there was no longer time ; the advanced guard appeared. His generals, too, were discouraged, and, gorged with gold, abandoned their chief in his extremity. The number of Abyssinians buried amounted to 75,7, whilst 2,139 were wounded.  To the rifle and the steel gnu the victory must he in great measure attributed but—why slmuld we not say so? —the English soldiers English is underlined) ilisplayed great bravery and intrepidity during the assault. and Iv 4•1•0 hnrniruirie owanls the prisoners and wounded. Accustomed to bloody reprisals, the Abyssinians expected to be massacred. The severe discipline cd the English army in preventing excesses and useless cruelty has won for itself the admiration of the conquered.  Amongst the dead were seven halanteheras, or men who resinobled Theodore, mud were purposely dressed like him. and .ese general-in-chief. The Abyssinians thu ught oil the lEa Is that the English would remain in Use oeiuilry. and they desired this. The generosity of the conquerors, their brilliant triumph, and thdr respect for propeity, caused it to i.e foreseen that under their administration there would be liberty, fortune, and protection for commerce, industry, and agriculture. They feared anarchy if the country were ethos:sled. Theodore did not commit suicide. Having witnessed the destruction of MS army, and having Warelleil ileath in vain amid ball and shell, when Ise saw the head of the enemy's columns crown the breach, he mulerstmd that his last hour was come; lie saw that resistance was impossible, and that he was als.ut to be made prisoner. This reflection made Into roar. If the English captives had been sfiiltmm his power, their death would have teen certain. n lit if Nry, or rather madness, he ordered their extennin.stion, torgetting that they were free in the English camp. lab seeing his lower fteethig Iris Ithei with the ihmil of Isis soldiem cohtemphding Ida empire destroyed, Isis dynasty overturned, hi: scign finished, inn strcions if te..rs coursed down Ids cheeks the nui,eles if Isis Uwe and eil.•st Were contracted wills pain, mul Isis limbs Writhed ill Rosin despair. His hitter sufferings should atone for many of his crimes. Two balantilicra, pistol in hand, stood silently waiting bin ind,r. He gave his will to Eingheddo. Erosqi, his as, over his breast he prayed then o ith a hollow yob, he repeated several times, " Ethiopia! Ethiopia my wife I say children !" 'the gate, trembling under the blows of he assailants, WilS UMW: way. Promlly raising his head, Theodore drew Isis sword to pensh like :us European. "In the Imsons of the Trinity." said lie to the hal:tiddler:ls, " lire !" They both aimed at his head, but Emitheiblo's coinage failed, :nal his anu fell inert. Area slime obeyed, and his Millet broke the skull of Africa's bravest warrior. Tim balanteheras remained by the body of their master expecting it: :1111. At this moment the gate was broken in, and the Ei,glishni,hthiu'ra, drunk with Iloot and e,,ena, eq.4,4 ward. Eingheddo shelved them the lifeless hmly of Theodore. At this sight the soldiers, stupefied, let tall their arnia, and the two guards were raved. The will was copied anti distributed to such tiffitwes as lhol remained faithful.