I04 A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA chap. 



his last SOU in getting his apparatus to the capital, but 

 he was most sanguine that, when once he had given 

 an exhibition before the Emperor, his fortune would 

 be made. He obtained the latter's sanction to erect 

 his machine in the Aderash, and all was nearly in order, 

 when, by some unlucky chance, Menelik learnt how 

 inflammable the films were, and, fearing for his grass- 

 thatched hall, ordered the apparatus to be at once dis- 

 mantled. At this point the unfortunate man fell ill, and 

 a fund was started among the European colony, in order 

 to tide him over his difficulties, which was eventually 

 done. It was while discussing this man and his affairs 

 that the French Consul remarked to Captain Harrington, 

 with a sigh : " Ah ! you only have sportsmen or capitalists 

 to present to the Emperor, while nearly all the French- 

 men that come here now are adventurers, showmen, or 

 vagrants seeking a fortune." 



Although I saw the Emperor several times during 

 my stay in Adis Ababa, I caught no glimpse of the 

 Empress, who never receives Europeans, unless they 

 have some special mission. Captain Harrington, know- 

 ing this, asked Menelik if he would take Her Majesty 

 the presents Queen Victoria had sent for her, and was 

 rather surprised when the Emperor replied: "No, you 

 must present them yourself." A few days after. Queen 

 Taitu received him most graciously, and seemed par- 

 ticularly gratified with a signed portrait of our Queen, 

 over which she bowed low, as she received it. Her 

 Majesty has the name of being an extremely clever and 

 far-seeing woman, who, while she is quite aware of the 

 good that her country can derive from European capital 



