chiefs present had to swear fealty to their new sovereign. A great feast was prepared in the ruined hall of the old palace of Waldo Salassy, and decanters (brilli) of mead flowed freely for many hours; while Kâsa sat gravely at the head of the board. He is rather a handsome young man, with a melancholy careworn expression. From time From time to time a chief went out, returning on his horse, with the kaletcha or diadem round his brow, and his retainers around him, who loudly swore devotion to Kâsa. It was a large gathering of powerful chiefs. Here was Guksa, the elder and only brother of Kâsa, who has been appointed Governor of Shire; Gebra Mikhail of Tzera, the wise in council; Hailo Maryam of Salowa, whose brows were girt with a silver diadem; Hagoos of Geralta, of the large eyes and handsome face; Nebreet Gebra Ubet of Axum, keeper of the sacred ark; Shum Temben Anun, the aged warrior, and uncle of Kâsa; Shum Agamé Tessu, the low-born servant of Sabagadis, and now the rival of his descendants; Balgada Waldo Salassy, the leader of the salt caravan; and many more.

M. Munzinger's interviews with Kâsa were satisfactory. The new ruler expressed a desire to give every assistance in his power to the English troops in their advance to Magdala; promised to issue orders that supplies were to be furnished to them along the line of march, and said that he was most anxious to see Teôdoros defeated, and the prisoners released. There can luckily be no doubt that the interests of Kâsa are so identified with the success of the expedition that his friendship may be securely counted upon.

Return we to the advanced brigade of the British force, which, after a march of thirty-four miles over the table-land which separates the waters flowing to the Red Sea coast from the tributaries of the Mareb, encamped in front of Adigirat, the chief village of Agamé, on the 2d of February. Adigirat is situated at the foot of the Harat range, and the peak of Aloquor, 11,000 feet above the

The

sea, rises immediately in the rear. houses are nearly all in ruins, but the great church is covered with paintings recording the deeds of Sabagadis, both in battle and in the chase. On a rocky hill near the church is the ruined palace of the great Agamé hero. A spacious courtyard leads to the great doors opening on the adrash or reception-hall, and above this entrance there is a gallery, approached by a staircase, twenty feet from the ground, where Sabagadis sat and administered justice. The hall is sixty-four feet long by twenty-five, and about twenty-two in height. At the end opposite the entrance there is a double doorway leading to an inner chamber. Here the great chief's throne (a high bedstead covered with rugs) was placed, when his vassals feasted in the hall. The inner chamber had a circular ceiling of coloured wickerwork, very tastefully designed, and four alcoves, at the ends of which are doors or windows. This arrangement gives the chamber the form of a cross. A door on one side leads across the courtyard to a circular building with an upper story. The favourite horses had their stables below, and above there is a handsome chamber approached by a staircase, for the ladies of the family. It is called the helfiné; and must have been cheerful and airy, with a fine view of the Adigirat plain from the windows. With the exception of the adrash or great hall, only required in the palace of a ruler, this building resembles exactly the best Abyssinian houses in Adowa. It is now in ruins, for the sons of Sabagadis, after his death, built a smaller and more defensible house at a distance of half a mile. This house consists of a two-storied square tower with four roofed shields for musketry on the top, a circular helfiné, and some out-buildings, all surrounded by a high wall. It was the residence of Sabhât, the eldest surviving son of Sabagadis, until he was carried off into Lasta by Gobazie, in 1866; and now his young widow, the fair Tayech, a grandchild of a Greek settled in Adowa, lives there in strict seclusion. She sent presents of

bread and meat to General Merewether on his arrival, and when a Chinese silk was offered in return, she replied that some money to send to her imprisoned husband would be more acceptable. The English camp faces the fair lady's tower, a little stream flowing between ; and a few miles to the eastward is the church of Gaala, in a delicious shady grove, with a bright stream flowing from the sandstone cliffs which overhang the trees. Here the good and brave Father Jacobi, with his Catholic Mission, was established for some years, during the time of Dejatch Oubie, and he introduced the vine, potatoes, and other vegetables.

On the accession of Kâsa, he adopted a very unwise and suspicious policy in the government of the different provinces, often attempting to ensure his own power by dividing the rule amongst several chiefs. Thus in Agamé he gave the government to two grandsons of Sabagadis named Barya-hoo and Guksa, sons of Waldo Mikhâïl, who was slain in Akula-Guzay. But he associated two other chiefs with them-one a total stranger to the district, and the other an old servant of their grandfather named Tessu. This arrangement was resented by the whole family of Sabagadis,1 and Barya-hoo rose in rebellion. He is still "out against Kâsa," with his Agamé retainers, and many of his young cousins, such as Hagoos, the son of Sabhât, and Waldo Gabriel, the son of Aragow.2 The malcontents have sent civil messages to the English camp, explaining their grievance and asking for help. This unsettled state of affairs renders Adigirat a very important position along the line of march, and here will be formed the second permanent depôt, the first being at Senafé.

On the 7th of February M. Munzinger and Major Grant arrived at Adigirat from Adowa, escorted by a chief sent by Kâsa, with nagareets and long horns,

1 Kâsa himself is a grand nephew of Sabagadis, through his maternal grandmother.

2 Aragow is the youngest son of Sabagadis. He is now a state prisoner of Teôdoros's, in the dungeons of Magdala.

making a most diabolical noise. This chief is the Lika-Mankwass Ilma.1 He was received in durbar by Sir Robert Napier, witnessed some evolutions of the Scinde Horse and 3d Cavalry, finished twelve bottles of rum in two sittings, and set out on his return to Adowa with two huge pats of butter on his head, representing an early morning toilette. The British soldier turned his somewhat strange name into "Liquormy-goose."

General Merewether has taken great pains to make the means of transport in the country along the line of march available for the purposes of the expedition. This is a most important point under any circumstances, but more especially so in the present state of the transport-train; and his wise measures have been highly successful. In the neighbourhood of Senafé the owners of bullocks agreed to deliver bags of grain and flour at Adigirat, at the rate of one dollar and a half for each bag of 60 lbs. ; and immediately after the convention had been signed 1,400 bullocks started from Senafé in two days. At Adigirat General Merewether arranged a similar convention with the people to carry bags as far as Agula, forty-four miles on the road towards Antalo; and it was entered upon by them with even greater eagerness and good-will. Bullocks, donkeys, and even women were pressed into the service, and the road was soon covered with all available beasts of burden, carrying supplies for the British force. And this is the country which is said to furnish no means of transport!

On February the 11th, Brigadier Collings, with the advanced brigade, marched from Adigirat for Antalothe Quartermaster-General, with a small pioneer force, having gone on some days before. General Merewether, having completed all necessary arrangements at Adigirat, followed on the 12th. Mean

1 The Lika-mankwass was the officer who dressed exactly like the king on the field of battle, and rode the same coloured horse. Ilma is hereditary Chief of Gundupta, near Adowa, of a very ancient family. His father, Desta, married a daughter of Sabagadis.

while the head-quarter wing of the 4th Regiment had arrived. But the Commander-in-Chief still remained behind, and it was evident that there were to be further delays. There was to be a complimentary interview with Kâsa, a tame elephant was to be brought up for his inspection, and a battery of six ninepounder guns must be dragged up, at least as far as Adigirat or Antalo, to show the people what the English can do.

The Harat range of mountains suddenly ends about eight miles south of Adigirat, and the broad fertile plain of Haramat stretches away to the southward, from its base. This is the commencement of the basin of the Nileall the streams flowing to the Tǎkkǎzie, the main affluent of the Atbara, which is the chief fertilizing tributary of the great river of Egypt. At Dongolo, 35 miles south of Adigirat, there is a steep descent of more than 1,000 feet. Hitherto, from Senafé to Dongolo, the plains and valleys had averaged an elevation of 7,000 feet above the sea; from Dongolo to Antalo they are 6,000 feet and upwards; acacias and mimosas taking the place of juniper and other hardier trees. Agula is a district at this lower level, where there are many Mohammedan converts, who are all traders, and owners of capital strong-built camels. During the two days that the advanced brigade stopped at Agula, the Adigirat people brought in 63,600 lbs. of grain and flour; and here General Merewether completed another convention with the people to carry bags on to Antalo, on their camels and donkeys, on similar terms. The country between Agula and Antalo, a distance of 33 miles, is a succession of grassy plains and valleys divided by ridges running east and west. It is well watered, has plenty of grass, can furnish any quantity of butcher's meat, and large supplies of grain. Strong hardy little mules can be bought in great numbers, and the people are ready to use the bullocks, donkeys, and women on hire, for carriage. This is certainly not a country where an onward march should be delayed for want of provisions and means of transport.

Antalo was once a large and flourishing place, the capital of Râs Waldo Salassy. It is now half-deserted, a straggling desolate village of circular huts of mud and stone, with thatched pointed roofs. But on Mondays the market gives rise to a lively and bustling scene. Villagers come in from all directions; Maria Theresa dollars, with blocks of salt (amule) as small change, exchange hands rapidly, as cows, mules, camels, sheep, blankets, white cotton cloth, hides, corn, beans, butter, honey, wax, chilies, onions, tobacco, kosso, are bought and sold. Antalo is on a terrace, at the foot of the overhanging cliffs of lofty Amba Aradom, and more than 1,000 feet above the vast plain, covered with long grass and huge stones, which it overlooks, and which stretches away to the southward. On the northern side of the Antalo hills there is a valley in which the far pleasanter village of Chelicut nestles in groves of trees, amidst irrigated fields and gardens. The great circular church of Chelicut, dedicated to the Trinity, is surrounded by a grove of tall straight junipers; its outer wall consists of a series of narrow arched openings forming an arcade, within which is a cloister surrounding the Holy of Holies; and the cloister wall is covered with gaudy and grotesque Biblical pictures. Near the church a long stretch of green sward, bordered by a running stream, is shaded by the widespreading branches of a venerable dahro tree. Here General Merewether had an interview with the priest and principal people of the place, sitting in a circle on the ground. They were informed of the intentions of the English, and that everything would be paid for, and they promised to encourage the villagers to bring produce to the camp for sale.

The British camp was pitched on the southern side of the great plain, five miles S.E. of Antalo, near the banks of the river Baya. The advanced brigade and pioneer force arrived on the 20th of February, having completed a good practicable road for baggage mules from Adigirat to Antalo. This camp will be the third permanent depôt. It is just

half-way between the coast and Magdala, the distance remaining to be marched being 140 miles, which might easily be done in a fortnight. The people of Agula have brought flour and grain in, with such punctuality, and in such quantity, that there is now sufficient here to enable a small force to march on to Magdala at once, and complete the work. General Merewether has concluded a convention with the people round Antalo to carry provisions onwards, and now there are upwards of 4,000 Government mules between Senafé and Antalo, so that there cannot well be much longer delay. The Commanderin-chief is, however, still in the rear, holding interviews with Kâsa, and causing heavy artillery to be dragged forward, which will not be required for actual operations against Teôdoros. The Quartermaster - General is one march ahead, at a place called Misgi, with the pioneer force and an escort of cavalry; and General Collings is in the Buya camp with a force consisting of the head-quarter wing of the 33d, a battery of Armstrong steel mountain-guns, 150 of the Beloochees, and detachments of Sind Horse and 3d Cavalry.

The dominions of Kâsa, the new ruler of Tigré, have their southern limit on the banks of the Buya stream. Beyond is the province of Wodgerat, which extends to the northern frontier of Lasta. Dejatch Waldo Yesûs, the powerful chief of Wodgerat, perched on his impregnable fastness of Amba Alaji, is thus placed between the rival rulers of Tigré and Lasta; but he is said to

1 One company of the 10th Bombay Native Infantry, one of Bombay Sappers, and one of Punjaub Pioneers.

incline towards the latter. However that may be, he is most friendly to the English, and has already sent his brother, Barya. Gorgis, an intelligent young fellow, to General Merewether, with presents and offers of assistance. Gobazie, the ruler of Lasta, is now with an army near Lalibela, watching the movements of his enemy Teôdoros, and sending repeated messages to the English, urging them to hasten forward. Teodoros himself, who has been so long dragging his guns and his heavy mortar over the difficult road towards Magdala, has at length all but completed his herculean task. The last news from the prisoners was dated the first week in February, when they were all well, but dreading the arrival of their jailer.

Such is the position of affairs at the close of what may be considered the second act of the expedition. The first act, extending from the arrival of General Merewether to that of the Commander-in-chief, was one of preliminary operations. The port was selected, the best pass to the interior was discovered and opened, and an advanced force was established on the Abyssinian highlands. The second act includes the months of January and February, when the plan of the campaign was decided upon, a friendly understanding was established with all the rulers and people along the line of march, the resources of the country were developed, and an advanced force was established at Antalo, half way to Magdala. The third act will contain the march to that fortress, and, let us hope, the liberation of the prisoners and a successful termination to the expedition.

MR. TENNYSON'S Lucretius has probably had a great many readers who did not know much about Lucretius before, and who have never read a line of the De Rerum Natura; nor is it necessary to have done so in order to enjoy Mr. Tennyson's poem. But apart from its artistic qualities, the poem has another which, in a work of art, is accidental,its historical truth; that is, the Lucretius whom it describes has a true resemblance to the real Lucretius, as revealed in his own work; the picture is not merely a picture, but happens to be a portrait also. Perhaps it will not be without use in helping us to understand this portrait more thoroughly, if we can discover some of the leading characteristics, the main currents of thought and feeling, which the De Rerum Natura shews in the historical Lucretius; and which are so reproduced in Mr. Tennyson's poem as to give this impression of its being historically true. The character of Lucretius is not one which can be understood without some little trouble; his life was coloured by a creed which, as he held it, can never be popular; and because he lived this creed, and did not talk it merely, he has always been lonely; a stranger, almost, in the Roman world into which he was born too late; and, for after times, one whose voice, No. 104.-VOL. XVIII.

when first heard, seems far off and strange; until, as the monotone grows upon the ear, it is no longer a dirge chanted to the winds, but the earnest pleading with human fears and hopes of a passionate human heart. It is difficult to follow the workings of a nature so much out of the range of common sympathy without some previous knowledge of its laws; without at least some general perception of the master-lines in which its forces move, some clue to the secret of the inner life from which they spring. In this large sense, the best commentary on Mr. Tennyson's Lucretius is the De Rerum Natura itself. There is, of course, a more special sense in which its aid might be used; the English poem abounds with phrases, imagery, allusions, which might be illustrated from the Latin; and, for any one who knows the Latin poem already, there is a certain interest in recognising them. For instance, when Lucretius is speaking of the hateful fancies that beset him, and asks,

How should the mind, except it loved them, clasp

These idols to herself? Or do they fly,
Now thinner and now thicker, like the flakes
In a fall of snow ...?

this means more, if it is remembered that such was in fact the regular

H