Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 edition. Excerpt: ... PREFACE. At the moment when every item of reliable information regarding the Abyssinian captives, or the land of their captivity--its people, resources, physical features, climate, &c, --possesses extraordinary interest and value, a remarkable paper from one of themselves has been received in Bombay. The paper, dated Magdala, August 31, 1867, is compiled by Dr. Blanc, and contains a graphic account of the fortunes attending Mr. Bassam's Mission, from the 20th of July, 1864, the date of its departure from Aden. The Mission, it will be remembered, consisted of Mr. Bassam, Dr. Blanc, and Lieutenant Prideaux, and was charged with the conveyance of the Queen's letter to Theodoras. Great surprise has been expressed at Mr. Bassam's dilatoriness in staying months at Massowah till Theodoras should signify his readiness to receive him, instead of advancing boldly into the country, as a properly qualified British officer should have done; and this delay has been looked upon as a proof of the unfitness of Mr. Bassam for the mission. When at last Theodorus did grant it permission to proceed, he seems to have treated it with contempt, for instead of allowing Mr. Rassam to select his own route, or pointing out to him the shortest and best, he required him to go by Metemma (a caravan station, situated on the extreme west of Abyssinia, almost on the Nubian frontier), involving a detour of three or four hundred miles. When such was the treatment experienced by the Mission at its outset, we can express no surprise at its results. Dr. Blanc's report has been divided by himself into three sections, the first describing the journey from Massowah to Metemma, the experiences of the road, the disposition and habits of the various Arab tribes, and giving a mass of..
