1843.] and the Abyssinian Church. 691 



It is a matter of high importance to separate the manners and cus- 

 toms which a nation has borrowed, from those that she has produced 

 during the advance of time within her own pale; and from an adequate 

 knowledge of her self-activity, some idea may be formed of the station 

 to which Ethiopia may be admitted within the ranks of civilization; 

 and of the expectations that may reasonably be entertained in how far 

 her efforts could be rendered subservient towards the improvement of 

 the moral and political state of benighted Africa. 



Surrounded by many hostile tribes, and secluded from enlightened 

 intercourse since the capture of the Upper Nubia by the Turks, and the 

 possession of the Red Sea by their numerous fleets, Abyssinia has re- 

 tained her customs with little alteration since the sixteenth century, 

 although that slight modification may be observed, which is not uncom- 

 mon in the general history of mankind. During the fresh cruelty of 

 the successful invader, national rites and practices are maintained 

 with more than wonted stedfastness ; but when the first violent assault 

 of enmity has yielded to a more quiet intercourse, a mutual interchange 

 is admitted between the contending parties, and thus the Jew, the 

 Moslem, and the Pagan have each in their turn contributed to the ge- 

 neral stock of Ethiopia. 



Many circumstances, however, have continued to render the Abyssi- 

 nian nation peculiarly susceptible of Jewish ideas and influence ; and 

 the abilities of her learned historians have in vain been racked to de- 

 vise the most becoming legend, by which to account for the introduc- 

 tion into the empire of such a multiplicity of Hebrews. 



In accordance with endeavours of other nations to derive their ances- 

 try from demi-gods and heroes, the kings of the country boast a direct 

 descent from the house of Solomon, and natter themselves in the name 

 of the wisest man of antiquity. 



The high sounding title of king of the Israelites is added to that of 

 Emperor of Abyssinia, and the motto of the national standard floats on 

 the breeze — " The Lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed." 



" The Queen of Ethiopia" says the tradition, " whose name was Ala- 

 queda, had heard from the Merchant Tamerin, of the wisdom and the 

 glory of the son of Sirach, and resolving to visit him in his own country, 

 she proceeded to the land of Israel, with all the rich presents that her 

 empire could afford. 



