ABYSSINIA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 31, 12 September 1868, Page 5

ABYSSINIA.

THE SOK OF KING THEODORE. The early arrival of the youthful son of the late King Theodore in this country may now be expected. A Queen's messenger has been despatched to Suez ti> neet Sir Robert Napier, and to intimate ier Majesty's desire that the Prince, now in charge of Sir Robert, should be brought to England. It is expected that the little Prince of Abyssinia will be educated in England under her Majesty's patronage of recognition. The kiud racepcions that were given to the young Maharajah Dhuleep Sing and the Princess Coorg, when as children they first visited this country and embraced the Christian faith, justify us in anticipating for King Theodore's son a similar greeting from Queen Vie. toria. THE GUNS TAKEN AT MAGDATiA. The following particulars regarding the captures of ordnance may possess some interest. There were taken in all twentyfour brass guns and' nine mortars. Of the guns there were three between 6 and 7 inches calibre, 40-pounder3, but carry50 pound shot composed of antimony ancl zinc ; three between 4 and 5 inches calibre, carrying 9 and 121 b. shot ; nine between 5 and 4 inches calibre, carrying between 2 affd 121 b. shot, and the others smaller. The mortars varied from 20 to 22^ inches calibre, and all of which were of native construction, some with a neat inscription in Amharic. Four of the guns were Turkish field-guns, two were English from Cossipore foundry, and two were French of old date. All were servicable except the largest, which burst during the action on the 10th inst. A large quantity of rude shell and case shot was also captured. THE PRESENTS TO QUEEN VICTOKIA. The presents from the army in Abyssinia to the Queen have reached the India Office, on their way to their final destination. They consist of three crowns or headpieces, a robe of State, a goblet, seal, horse trappings, &c. One of the crowns seems made entirely of solid gold, quite plain, in the shape of a Papal tiara, its base surrounded at intervals by three bars of embossed gold. The second, also of gold, with a velvet cap, l^oks much like an English coronet, a little the worse for wear. The third is a kind of martial headpiece, with a metal top, ancl loose metal bars hanging down at intervals all round it, as far as the neck. The robe is a very magnificent affair, looking as if fresh from the loom, woven apparently of rich gold thread, with large patterns of flowers about it wove in silk in appropriate colors. This was the robe which Theadore threw off just before lie put an end to hjs life. The goblet, in shape like the Homeric "depasamphikupcllon," is also of gold, but less capacious than its owner's powers of imbibing would have led one to expect. The seal of gold bears a lion nassatit. aud the handle is made of four large piecos of agate, each of a different color. Singularly enciigh the case that held it beafs the name of a wellknown tirm in Pall-mall. The other article's were rich or curious in their way. In confirmation of what we pointed out as likely some- weeks ago, we are now glad to iifor m our readers that her Majesty's Government have authorised the grant of six months' donation batta to the troops engaged in the Abyssinian expedition. — London " Weekly News."