Alexander the Great in his physician. An opportunity was now taken of
urging him to an act of humanity, however strongly opposed to the habits
of the country, and to the interests of the man. It was represented to him
that his uncles and brothers had been immured in a dungeon during the
thirty years of his reign, and that no act could be more honourable to
himself, or acceptable to Heaven, than the extinction of this barbarous
custom.

"'And I will release them,' returned the monarch, after a moment's
debate within himself. 'By the Holy Eucharist I swear, and by the
Church of the Holy Trinity in Koora Gadel, that if Sahela Selasse
arise from this bed of sickness, all of whom you speak shall be
restored to the enjoyment of liberty.'"

Fortunately he did arise from that bed of sickness, and he honourably
determined to keep his promise. The royal captives were seven, and the
British mission were summoned to see their introduction into the presence.
They had been so exhausted by long captivity, that at first they seemed
scarcely to comprehend freedom. They had been manacled, and spent their
time in the fabrication of harps and combs, of which they brought
specimens to lay at the feet of their monarch. This touching interview
concluded with a speech of the king to the embassy--

"'My children, you will write all that you have seen to your country,
and will say to the British Queen, that, though far behind the
nations of the White Men, from whom Ethiopia first received her
religion, there yet remains a spark of Christian love in the breast
of the King of Shoa.'"

We have thus given a rapid and bird's-eye view of a work, which we regard