DiiftoiCs Abyssinia 43 



Massowah is, moreover, the chief place of shipment for the ex- 

 ports from Abyssinia, and Theodorous is well known to entertain 

 the hope that it will eventually become the seaport of his empire. 

 It lies about 300 miles from the Straits of Bab el Mandeb (Gate of 

 Tears), at the entrance of the Red Sea ; and about 400 miles from 

 Aden, our Eastern Gibraltar, at the southern extremity of Arabia. 



The small island on which Massowah stands is nearly covered 

 with buildings, the only respectable house in size or build being 

 the official residence of the Kaimakan ; the remainder are miser- 

 able hovels, not excepting those occupied by the English and 

 French Consuls. In 1866 the garrison numbered about 1000 

 Egyptian troops, and the artillery defences consisted of twelve 

 guns ; but, in consequence of the contemplated invasion of 

 Abyssinia, the force has lately been increased to 10,000 men. 



The climate of Massowah, between March and November, is said 

 to be pleasant enough, but the remaining months of the year are 

 very trying to European constitutions, for the harbour being land- 

 locked is beyond the influence of the prevailing breezes outside, 

 and a damp, dead stagnation of atmosphere often takes place, with 

 not a breath of air to remove the oppressive feeling. 



The Christianity of the country is rather of a mixed character. 

 It enforces the observances of fasts and other ceremonials, the 

 adoration of the Virgin, the invocation of saints, the doctrine of the 

 real presence, and in many other respects bears a strong resem- 

 blance to the Romish Church ; whilst, on the other hand, it retains 

 many of the rites of Mosaic dispensation, such as circumcision, the 

 observance of the Jewish Sabbath, the veiling off a holy place in 

 their churches, and all the restrictions respecting clean and unclean 

 animals. 



The object of primary importance to be attained by the expedi- 

 tionary force, was to select a suitable base of operations on the sea 

 coast, and thence by as short and easy a route as the nature of the 

 country permits, to establish a second inland base on the edge of 

 the upland plateau facing the sea. The road or route connecting 

 the two stations must necessarily be kept open, and, if possible, 

 communication should be effected by means of telegraph, for which 

 arrangements have been made. As we have before inferred, 

 Senafe has now been reached by our advanced brigade, who must 

 be rejoiced to find a temperature resembling that of an English 

 autumn. The troops appear to be in the best possible spirits, the 

 people are friendly, and the advance into the interior is looked 



