THE QUEEN BASHABISH. 295 



sonage, and for a more suitable character, a 

 bright-eyed daughter of Spain. Not, however, 

 having been thrown upon the southern coast of 

 that country during the past three years, and con- 

 sidering it was not very likely that I should be for 

 the next two or three more, I determined to return 

 the politeness of the Queen of Shoa, by presenting 

 it to her, as she had sent me presents of wheaten 

 bread, with inquiries after my health, several times 

 during the last month. Of course, I had no 

 chance of giving it into her own hands as, like all 

 the other of the Royal wives and concubines, she 

 is carefully secluded from the gaze of ordinary 

 mortals. Her name, Bashabish, conveys a com- 

 pliment of no little meaning, being literally, " By 

 thee I have increased," which alludes to the two 

 sons with which she has blessed Sahale Selassee ; 

 the elder, named Hylo Malakoot, and the younger, 

 Safie Selassee, or the "Sword of the Trinity," as his 

 father's name signifies the " Given of the Trinity." 

 The latter is the favourite son, and as the crown is 

 not hereditary, but the King nominates his successor; 

 as David, we are told, in like manner, chose his son 

 Solomon, above all his elder brethren ; so, to all 

 appearances, Safie Selassee, on the demise of his 

 father, will succeed to the throne in prejudice to his 

 brother. Besides these children, the Negoos has one 

 or two daughters by his favourite wife, Bashabish. 



When I presented the veil, it created quite a 

 commotion, for its novel texture and the em- 



