HISTORY OF ABYSSINIA 
^53 
thirsty savages history has recorded. The accession of European 
troops, as might be expected, soon changed the face of affairs ; and 
after many desperate battles, in which the Portuguese were chiefly 
engaged, under their brave commander Diego De Gama, who in 
enterprize, though not in success, almost equalled his brother, the 
Moors were driven back, their king killed, and their armies nearly 
annihilated ; while all hope of resources from the other coast were 
cut off by the Portuguese fleet, which then rode triumphantly in 
the Red Sea. 
It has been usual with many to condemn altogether these cru- 
sading expeditions ; yet, in this instance, the effects resulting from 
it were in a high degree beneficial to the empire of Abyssinia, which 
was, in fact, completely saved, by the mode of warfare then in- 
troduced, and by the progress in civilization which the natives made 
under the tuition of the Portuguese, and to which alone is to be 
attributed the superiority which they have to this day retained 
above all the nations around them. This superiority has, however, 
been kept up only by a continual struggle, which gradually has 
tended to weaken their power, and render their situation every day 
more and more precarious, so as to make it likely that they may 
not, without assistance, be able much longer to stand out against 
the superior numbers of the Galla. 
" Much, however, as we may admire the effects resulting from 
this expedition of the Portuguese, we cannot but condemn the 
bigotry with which their priests attempted to force the Roman 
Catholic religion on the Abyssinians, which succeeded only for a 
short time, merely from the weakness of one of their kings. For they 
were not content with infringing upon their ancient rites and cere- 
