. The world's inhabitants; or, Mankind, animals, and plants; being a popular account of the races and nations of mankind, past and present, and the animals and plants inhabiting the great continents and principal islands. amongothers, and finally they were expelled in 1633. During the middle of the sixteenth century, the Gallas from the southbegan to encroach on Abyssinia, and finally gained great influence in thecountry, practically controlling the •• Negus, as the emperor orking is styled. In the present century, numerous English mis-sionaries entered Abyssinia, and were followed by naturali
. The world's inhabitants; or, Mankind, animals, and plants; being a popular account of the races and nations of mankind, past and present, and the animals and plants inhabiting the great continents and principal islands. amongothers, and finally they were expelled in 1633. During the middle of the sixteenth century, the Gallas from the southbegan to encroach on Abyssinia, and finally gained great influence in thecountry, practically controlling the •• Negus, as the emperor orking is styled. In the present century, numerous English mis-sionaries entered Abyssinia, and were followed by naturalists and politi- „. cians. King Theodore, whose career has become so well-known King . Theodores through the British expedition in 1868, was born in 1818, and was not of royal but of noble descent; and by successive stages of rebellion and fighting, rose from an inferior position to be king in 1855. At this time he is described as a man of education and intelligence, THE NUBIANS AND ABYSSINIANS, 563 a bom riiler, ol majestic bearing, very generous, and by no means greedyor lustful, but liable to extreme outbursts of anger and pride, witliianatical religious zeal. He was also the best shot, the best spearman. ABYSSINIAN WATEB-GIEL?, the best runner, and the best horseman in Abyssinia. But unfortunatelyhe tried to subdue the GaUas, a task beyond his strength ; still he tooktheir .stronghold of Magdala, which he made his capital, and gained overmany ol their chiefs. He conquered the kingdom of Shoa in the south, 564 THE INHABITANTS OF AFRICA. but by tliis time lieavy taxation and war levies were exhausting tliepeople ; and his second marriage not proving happy, Theodore gavehimself up to drinking and immorality. But English neglect of a letterwhich Theodore had sent to Queen A^ictoria in response to a present, islargely responsible for our subsequent difficulties with him. He keptseveral of our envoys prisoners for years, during which his governmentgrew more oppressive, and n
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