3-021-495 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Expedition to Abyssinia: Sir Robert Napier entertained by the Prince of Tigre, 1868. Engraving of a sketch by Mr. G. A. Henty '...of the interview, near Ad-Abaga, on Feb. 25, between the commander-in-chief of the British army and the reigning Prince Kassa of Tigré...Zassa is a young man of thirty-five years of age. His face, of a dark olive colour, is intellectual; but he has a careworn and wearied expression, which justifies his statement that he did not desire power, but that it was thrust upon him...He wore the Abyssinian costume, a white robe or toga...The conversation [in Kassa's tent] was conducted through an interpreter...a long conference was held, with the most satisfactory results. Having received some presents...[Kassa] promised his aid to the expedition in the matter of food and forage...Girls bearing large baskets of Abyssinian bread and curry came in and placed them on the ground in front of the visitors. The bread was brown, formed in flat circular cakes about a foot in diameter, and had a slightly sour taste...'tedge,' a drink made of fermented honey...was poured into Florence flasks, and given to each guest. After a while...presents were brought in, to be bestowed upon the British commander'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.