THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 3^25 



Translation of an Arabic Letter yJww/Z'f King c/'Arys- 

 siNiA to /^ifBASHA ^«^ Divan 2/^Cairo. 



** To the Pacha, and Lords of the MiHtia of Cairo. 



" On the part of the king of Abyflinia', the king Tecia 

 Haimanout, fon of the king of the church of Abyflinia. 



« On the part of the auguft king, the powerful arbiter of 

 " nations, fliadow of God upon earth, the guide of kings 

 " who profefs the rehgion of the Mefliah, the moft power- 

 " ful of all Chriftian kings, he who maintains order between 

 " Mahometans and Chriftians, prote(5tor of the confines of 

 " Alexandria, obfei*ver of the commandments of the gofpeJ, 

 •' heir from father to fon. of a moil powerful kingdom, de- 

 " fcended of the family of David and Solomon,— may the 

 " blefling of Ifrael be upon our prophet, and upon them! 

 " may his happinefs be durable, and his greatnefs lafting, 

 " and may his powerful, army be always feared. — To the 

 " moll powerful lord,, elevated by his dignity, venerable by 

 " his merits, diftinguifhed.by his ftrength and riches among 

 *' all Mahometans, the refuge of all thofe that reverence 

 " him, who by his prudence governs and direcls the armies 

 " of the noble empire, and commands his confines; vidori- 

 " ous viceroy of Egypt, the four corners of which fliall be 

 *^ always refpecfled and defended : — fo be it. — And to all the 

 " diftinguiilied princes, judges, men of learning, and other 

 "officers whofe bufincfs it is to maintain order and good 

 " government and to all commanders in general, may God 

 '* prefervc them all in their dignities,, in the noblenefs of 



I theiir 



