72 
TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
the sources of the Nile, but gives an account of 
them from report, nearly similar to that of Lobo. 
His view of the political state of the country also 
differs in no material respect from that of other 
travellers. Finding his health injured by the cli- 
mate, he determined, notwithstanding the urgent 
entreaties of the emperor, to return to Egypt. He 
went by the common track through Tigre, so that 
little of novelty occurs in the remainder of his jour- 
ney. He embarked at Messua (Massuah) on the 
28th October 1699. 
After the time of Poncet, a long period elapsed 
without any journey deserving of notice being un- 
dertaken into Abyssinia. That country became 
almost forgotten in Europe, when it was again 
brought into view by the exertions of one individual. 
This new traveller embarked in the dangerous en- 
terprise, without any motives of fanaticism or am- 
bition, but solely to promote his own reputation 
and the interests of science. His journey formed 
the first in a series made with this enlightened 
and liberal view, into the interior of this vast con- 
tinent. After his consulship at Algiers, Mr Bruee 
seems to have determined upon undertaking some 
important expedition, though he hesitated for some 
time as to the direction. At length he fixed upon 
Abyssinia. His imagination was peculiarly fired 
by the idea cf penetrating to the sources of the, 
