42 Journal of Travel and Natural History 



proper are engaged in almost constant conflict, either to preserve 

 or regain their own independence, against the grasping ambition of 

 King Theodorus. 



Until lately the whole sea coast on both sides of the Red Sea 

 was under the actual dominion of Turkey, and the kaimakans, or 

 governors, were appointed from Constantinople ; but now, though 

 the Turkish flag is retained as a symbol of power, the sovereignty 

 of the Sultan is only nominal, for the whole of the western or 

 African side of the Red Sea, from Suez to Massowah, has recently 

 been ceded to the Egyptian Government, and the Viceroy's juris- 

 diction remains unquestioned, whilst his troops garrison the various 

 towns bordering on the sea. 



Between the sea coast and the mountainous region of Abyssinia 

 is an extensive tract of low-lying and waterless country, ranging in 

 breadth from 30 to 300 miles ; and, although discrepancies exist 

 respecting the nature of the level, there seems little doubt that the 

 scrubby wilderness will cause considerable difficulty to any large 

 body of troops, whose camp equipage and commissariat are 

 dependent on such primitive means of conveyance as camels and 

 mules. 



The spurs of the uplands or mountain ranges approach Massowah 

 much nearer than any other parts of the coast, for Dr Beke, writing 

 in 1842, states that he descended from Kiaquor to Massowah — 

 about 30 miles — by a gradual and easy road, well watered, and 

 occupying only two days and a-half of very gentle travelling \ 

 whilst, according to the same authority, Halai, on the eastern spur 

 of the table-land, 8400 feet, or upwards of a mile and a-half in 

 height, is yet nearer the coast, being only about 20 miles from 

 Anesley Bay. Dr Beke, however, strongly recommended the 

 route through the Haddas Valley as the best ai)proach to the 

 highlands, and pointed to Senafe as the most eligible ])osition to 

 select as the base of inland operations ; and the valuable advice of 

 the experienced traveller appears to have been strictly followed by 

 Colonel Merewether. From the other two well-known points of 

 communication, viz., Amphilla Bay and the Gulf of Tajurrah, the 

 distance across the arid plain varies from 200 to 300 miles ; there 

 is, therefore, little doubt that a wise selection has been made in 

 fixing on Massowah, or Anesley Bay, in its immediate neighbour- 

 hood, as the sea base of operations for the expeditionary force 

 alwut to invade the dominions of the self-styled descendant of the 

 Queen of Sheba. 



