3-021-104 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Dejatch Alamaeo, son of Theodore, late King of Abyssinia, 1868. The infant...now both fatherless and motherless,...is named Alamaeo or Allumahyu (as it is sometimes written), which means in the Amharic language "I have seen the world." But this poor little orphan, who is but seven years old, having been born in June, 1861, has seen very little of it. He will, however, see much more of it than his father ever did, as he is to be educated by the Rev. Dr. Wilson in the Mission College at Bombay. He bears the title of Dejatch, which is Prince or Duke; its etymology is referred to the word "Dej," which means a gate...The child is of course kindly treated. A musical box and a kaleidoscope were given to him, and afforded him much pleasure, but he cared more for a little sword. He sat quiet, like a good boy, to let our artist draw his portrait...He wears a string of green beads, with a small cross, and charms of red leather; another string of beads, alternating with silver ornaments, and the blue thread, which is the sign of his baptism. It was at his father's express desire that Mr. Rassam took charge of him, to commit him to the care of the British commander-in-chief'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.