geographer some important notices relative to the position of certain towns and mountains, of which only the names had formerly been conveyed to our ears. The Publishers have taken the utmost pains to embody in the map, prefixed to this volume, the results of the latest discoveries accomplished by British, French, and American travellers, under the protection of the Turkish army.

But no consideration associated with the history of Ethiopia is more interesting than the fact that the Christian religion, received about fifteen hun. dred years ago, continues to be professed by the great majority of the people. In regard to the mixture of Jewish rites with the institutions of the Gospel, still observable among the Abyssinians, I have suggested some reflections which seem calculated to throw a new light on that obscure subject. Of the literature of the same nation, so far as the relics could be collected from their chronicles and books of devotion, a suitable account has been given; connected in some degree with the brighter prospects which may yet be entertained by the friends of theological learning as arising from the well-directed efforts of certain benevolent associations in this country.

For some valuable information not hitherto published, I am indebted to William Erskine, Esq. of Blackburn, late of Bombay, who kindly placed in my hands two large manuscript volumes, containing Travels and Letters written in the East. Among

these is a number of communications from Mr Nathanael Pearce, during his residence in Abyssinia, addressed to several British Residents at Mocha and Bombay, and embracing the more prominent events of his history between the years 1810 and 1818.

In like manner I have to express my obligations to Captain Armstrong of the Royal Artillery, who, in the course of his travels in Nubia, made drawings and measurements of the principal temples as far south as Wady Halfa. By means of these I have been enabled to ascertain the exact dimensions of several of those structures, the views of which have been given by some recent tourists with more attention to elegance than to professional accuracy in the details.

In order to render this little volume as complete as possible, the Publishers obtained the assistance of two eminent naturalists, Mr Wilson and Dr GREVILLE; to the former of whom the reader owes the instructive chapter on Zoology, while to the latter he is under a similar obligation for the Botanical outline, in which are ably described the vegetable productions of the Abyssinian provinces.

To complete the plan entertained with respect to Africa, there remains yet one volume, which will appear in due time, on the History, Antiquities, and Present Condition of the BARBARY STATES.

EDINBURGH, March 1833.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION.

Difficulties to be encountered by the Historian of Ethiopia - Record

of Monuments; their Uncertainty-Obstacles which opposed the

Knowledge of the Ancients—Supposition that Civilisation de

scended the Nile-Progress of Oriental Emigration-Resem-

blance of Nubian Temples to those of India_Fame of Ancient

Ethiopians-Ambiguity of the Term-Two great Classes of

Africans_Mixture of Arabians–Opinion of Heeren as to Lan-

guage-Discoveries of Hornemann and Lyon–Tuaricks and

Tibboos—Nubians-Abyssinians_Hypothesis of Heeren-Con-

nexion of Commerce and Religion-Chain of Temples—Similar

Connexion among Jews and Christians–Early Improvement of

Ethiopians; mentioned in Scripture-Defence of the Opinion that

Egypt derived Learning and Science from the Upper Nile, Page 17

CHAPTER II.

GEOGRAPHICAL OUTLINES OF NUBIA AND ABYSSINIA.

Plan to be followed in this Chapter-Nubian Valley-Sterility-

Former Cultivation----Dondour-Derr --Ibrîm—Wady Halfa-
Second Cataract—Beauty of Country in Dongola—Benefits of
the Nile_Temple of Soleb_Elegance of the Building-King-
dom of Merawe-Gebel el Berkal-El Bellal-Hypothesis in
regard to Meroë _Opinions of Ptolemy, Herodotus, Strabo-
Sheygyans-Ishmael Pasha-Third Cataract_Berber-Shendy

el Garb—Shendy-Junction of the White and Blue Rivers

Sennaar - Climate - Inhabitants - Manufactures— Expeditions

by the Troops under the Pasha-Bravery of the Natives-De-

scription of the City of Sennaar-Advance of Egyptian Army

into Fazoglo_El Queribyn-Kilgou—Singueh-Conflicts with

the Natives at Tâby and Gassi_Reception at Fazoglo-Re-

turn to Sennaar-Aquaro_River Toumat-Quamamyl-Ishmael

disappointed as to Gold and Slaves-Poncet's Account of Sen-

naar - Abyssinia - Its Extent-Political Geography – King-

doms and Provinces-Amhara_Tigré_Shoa, and the Eastern

Coast...

.............. Page 39

CHAPTER III.

CIVIL HISTORY OF NUBIA AND ABYSSINIA.

Variety of opinion in regard to Ethiopians--Aboriginal and mixed

with Arabians_Queen of Sheba_Book of Axum-Abyssinians

converted to Christianity-Extent of their Dominions_Wars in

Arabia_Arrival of Portuguese_History of Nubia-Cambyses

Macrobians—Table of the Sun-Explanation by Heeren-Pto-

lemy Euergetes_War with Candace_Success of Petronius

Period of Darkness respecting Ethiopia - Prester John-Mission

of Covilham_Of Matthew-Alvarez-Camp of the Abyssinian

Monarch-Interview with David III.-Ordination of Clergy-

Stephen de Gama-Bermudez the Abuna-Oviedo_Peter Paez-

Jerome Lobo-Hatred towards Catholics_Poncet-Bruce—State

of Abyssinia–Ras Michael –Ozoro Esther_Manuscripts col.

lected by Bruce-History of Abyssinia–Revolt of Judith-Res-

toration of the Line of Solomon-List of Kings_Galla—War

among Chiefs-Bruce goes to the Sources of the Nile_Fasil—The

Jumper-The Lamb - Kefla Yasous_Mr Salt-Outline of His-

tory-Pearce-His Adventures under Welled Selassé-Death of

Ras—Demise of the King-Rise of Subegadis Invasion of Nubia

by Ishmael Pasha-Battles with Sheygyans-Act of Generosity-

Cruelty of Egyptian Army_Character of Sheygyans-Expedition

of Ibrahim_Death of Ishmael-Spirit of insurrection in con-

quered Provinces.go...........

................. 106

CHAPTER IV.

ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS OF NUBIA AND ABYSSINIA.

Rule for determining the Antiquity and Filiation of ancient States

-Connexion between Egypt, Ethiopia, and India_Excavated

Temples–Girshé, Seboua, and Derr-Different Orders of Archi-

tecture_Temple of Osiris at Ebsamboul-Labours of Belzoni,

Irby, and Mangles-Magnificence of Interior, and Description

of the various Halls - Discoveries of Mr Bankes – Visit of

Defturdar Bey-Sir F. Henniker_Temple of Isis—Cave of Ele-

phanta–Temples of Salsette and Ellora_Comparison with those

of Ethiopia_Temples of Soleb, of Kalabshé, and Dondour-

Opinion of Gau-_Mixed Greek and Egyptian Forms_Gebel el

Berkal_Principal Temple there_Pyramids_El Bellal_Pro-

gress in the Arts—Succession of Buildings-Meroë-Bruce,

Strabo, Cailliaud-Assour–Pyramids—M. Rüppel-Naga and

Messoura-Large Temple_Opinion of M. Heeren–Of Cailliaud

-Ruins at Mandeyr and Kely-Constitution of Government at

Meroë_Its Termination_Remains at Axum-Obelisk-Errors

of Bruce_Corrections by Salt-Axum-Inscription-Adulis-

Inscription-Cosmas_Reference to Dr Vincent_Luxor and

Karnac-Sacred Ship-Bond of Religion-Lineage of the Gods

-Hebrew Tribes-Decline of Learning in Ethiopia,... Page 183

CHAPTER V.

RELIGION AND LITERATURE OF ETHIOPIA.

Abyssinia received Christianity at an early Period-Influence of

Religion on its Political State and Civil History–Story of Fru-

mentius-Jewish Ceremonies mixed with the Gospel-Arian He-

resy_Constantius-Invasion of Arabia-Heresy of Eutyches

Conversion of Nubians_Justinian and Theodora-Zara Jacob

His Letter to the Monks of Jerusalemn-Council of Florence

Pagans of Samen-Arrival of Paez-Dispute with Clergy_The

King Za Denghel becomes Roman Catholic His Letter to the

Pope-Accession of Susneus-His Adherence to the Roman Form

-Rebellion-Formal Declaration in favour of Popery_Death

of Paez_Arrival of Mendez-His Proceedings as Patriarch