A History of Protestant missions in the near East

Egypt and Abyssinia 373
than 7,500 feet. Beyond the coast range, which rises to a
height of 13,700 feet, a high and undulating table-land stretches
out towards the west. In the east its
average height is
10,500 feet, while in the west and north it attains an altitude
of between 6,200 and 8,200 feet. Deep-cut valleys, some of
them lying 3,000 feet below the level of the table-land, in
which wild mountain torrents rush through an almost impenetrable
tropical undergrowth of primeval forests, cut up into
isolated rocky islands the immense land, more than half as
great as the entire German Empire. Above the table land
tower numberless, precipitous, flat-topped mountains, the
" Amba," so characteristic of Abyssinia, which, though approached
with difficulty, are well watered and covered with
abundant vegetation. Still more lofty, reaching into the
region of eternal snow, are the Alps of Simen with the Has
Dashan (14,200 feet).
In other parts of the country single
peaks rise to a height of over 13,000 feet. On the eastern and
northern borders, across which the most dangerous of the
enemies of Abyssinia threaten, the country is difficult of approach,
and to the west, also, protection is afforded by widespread,
fever-breeding swamps, the " Quolla " of evil fame.
Thus this immense, inland rock-island has been enabled to
maintain a separate historic existence and a civilization
peculiar to itself, in the very heart of Africa. Quite apart
from the point of view of missionary work, this interesting
country has constantly claimed the attention of Europe during
the last half century. "We are compelled by the fact that
its political history is so closely interwoven with the record
of missions within its borders, to deal more in detail with
that ever changing, romantic and exciting history.
In 1855 Kasa, an energetic chief of Amhara, who had risen
from the lowest ranks of the tribe, succeeded in subduing the
rest of the chiefs, including the Emperor of Gondar, who was
emperor only in name. He had himself crowned as Negus
Negust, taking the title of Theodore II (1855-1868). At first
his reign was just and strong, many reforms being introduced.
But, being passionately proud of
his army, he increased it to