NEW EMPIRE OF ABYSSINIA. 6S 



tory and eloquence, three powerful qualities, anywhere, and irresistible- 

 in chivalrous and wordy Abyssinia. It is true that they had reason 

 to mistrust the aptitude of this out-and-out soldier for the arts of 

 peace, whilst Oubie had secured to Tigre twenty years of repose^ 

 under a hard and rapacious yet regular government, and one that 

 protected both the peasant and the merchant. Eor a moment, the 

 balance was in the hands of the ahoima ; and it was easy to see that 

 he would make it lean, not towards a young upstart whom he began 

 to fear, but towards Oubie whom he had always lorded it over. At 

 this conjuncture, it was known that Mgr. de Jacobis had arrived at 

 Gondar — for his mischance with the abouna had not cured him of his 

 tendency to make political manoeuvres subservient to religious mat- 

 ters. On this occasion, however, he obtained, for an instant, a 

 prospect of the realization of his hopes. Kassa, who clearly dis" 

 cerned his position, entered into communication with the Italian 

 bishop, and promised, if elected, to recognise him as abouna of the 

 Abyssinia church. Kassa was too much attached to the national 

 church to make this proposition in good faith ; but Mgr. de Jacobis 

 might easily have been deceived thereby, since, from the point of 

 view of the constitution of the Abyssinia church, the Romish bishop 

 would be at least, as legal as the Alexandrian. Salama, hearing of 

 this began by excommunicating Kassa and all his adherents. And 

 then he reflected that Kassa was, after all, an ambitious man who 

 would not scruple at a religious revolution to gain the empire, and 

 would give strong support to an Italian bishop, should he procure 

 the throne for him. He was not deceived as to the respect which 

 Mgr. de Jacobis' virtues inspired in the Abyssiaian people, nor as to 

 the profound contempt into which he himself had fallen : his only 

 hope was in military power. It was, therefore, necessary for him to 

 play his cards well in the competition. He came to a determination 

 at once ; and sent a promise to Kassa to ensure his election, on con* 

 dition that his first act as Negus would be to banish Mgr. de Jacobis 

 and his coadjutors. The compact was concluded. Some days after, 

 the Assembly proclaimed dedjaz Kassa Negusnagast z* Aithiopiya, 

 King of kings of Ethiopia, and Mgr de Jacobis was conducted to the 

 frontier, under escort, with all the regard due to his person and cha- 

 racter. 



Completely sold and mystiSed, Oubie, as might be expected, did 

 not submit to his defeat, and soon appealed from it to the sword. 



