XI 
WITH BRITISH MISSION TO KING MENELIK 289 
thousand prisoners — has entirely altered the map and the politics 
of North-East Africa. 
What may be the future in store for North-East Africa it is 
impossible to predict. The frontiers of the restless Christian 
kingdom now march on the north with the Moslem frontiers of 
Egypt and the Soudan ; and on the south with the Moslem 
frontier of British Somaliland. Events on both frontiers will 
require constant watchfulness and tact ; and, above all, the most 
amicable relations at the court of the present enlightened Negus. 
Much depends on the length of Menelik’s life. He is a true 
despot, ordering everything, monopolising trade, and controlling 
the national resources. Although he himself is a conscientious 
reformer, it is impossible to say whether his successor will con- 
tinue his wise policy, for the law of the strongest seems to 
govern the succession. When it is noticed that the two countries 
are nearly equally impracticable and that the politics depend on 
the life of the ruler, the comparison between Abyssinia and 
Afghanistan ceases ! 
In describing the characteristics of a people one has to speak 
cautiously, but though I desire to do my best for the Shoan, 
that best is not much ! The average Shoan of the lower class 
presents about the greatest contrast in appearance to the Afghan 
there can possibly be. But it is not necessary to go to Asia to 
look for superiority ; the Shoan’s own neighbours, the Gallas, 
and certainly the Somalis, have many points of superiority over 
him which are patent to the most casual observer. To begin 
with, the Shoan, though sturdily built, is rather undersized, and 
thick-lipped ; and even the most optimistic cannot call his 
features pleasing. He has many negro characteristics ; but his 
nose, often good, shows signs of a Semitic strain in his blood. 
The Somali is taller and much slimmer in build, with smaller 
hands and feet, and thinner lips ; but though possessing better 
features, he is, I think, darker than the Shoan. 
The ordinary Shoan seems, indeed, deficient, when compared 
with the Somali, in three important qualities, namely, pluck, 
honour, and cleanliness. That he is well led under the feudal 
system, tireless on his mountains, and hardy in privation, may 
however make up for other deficiencies. Even the wiry Somalis, 
who can run with a letter forty miles in under ten hours, say 
the “ Amhara ” travel like horses. The Shoan appears to be a 
rebel by nature, almost incapable of discipline, except under the 
chief to whom he chooses to cling, or of comprehending the 
u 
