Bruce appears to have been seen once, and once only, by our Sexagenarian,
who nevertheless expresses, in various parts of his manuscript, a general
confidence in his veracity, and a great admiration of his prowess and
intrepidity. He lived intimately with some of Bruce’s most familiar
friends, and had frequent opportunities of ascertaining that many
assertions made by the traveller, like those of Herodotus, were confirmed
by subsequent observation and examination. But it was Bruce’s peculiar
character, that if he discerned, or ever suspected any want of confidence
in his auditors, he disdained all explanation, and could not be prevailed
upon to enter upon any further discussion.
He was a very great friend, and frequent correspondent of the individual
mentioned in the pages immediately preceding, who was able, from his
personal knowledge and local situation, to confirm many things asserted
by Bruce, which were at first, in this country, thought equivocal. On
his first return from his remote and protracted travels, he had some
questions proposed to him on the subject of the Bible in the language
of Abyssinia, by a venerable and highly distinguished member of our
Church, which he answered very satisfactorily.—He afterwards voluntarily
undertook to translate literally, a number of proposed texts from the
Pentateuch of the Abyssinian Bible, in order that they might be compared
with the English version. He did do this, but they were unfortunately
mislaid among his numerous papers. They, however, are most probably in
existence, and may hereafter appear.
A very ingenious clergyman, who was also well versed in the Oriental
languages, made a Catalogue Raisonné of Bruce’s manuscript library, which
of itself would be very acceptable to the learned world. The manuscripts,
however, it is to be hoped, will not be permitted to remain buried in
Scotland, but as they are of the greatest importance to the elucidation
of Scripture, will hereafter be deposited in some of the public libraries
of this country.
The following are some of these manuscripts:—
The Old Testament in five volumes, which do not contain the Psalms, but
have a copy of Ludolph’s Æthiopic Psalter.
This was transcribed for Mr. Bruce at Gondar, by scribes of the country,
upon vellum. The character is clear and beautiful, and there are marginal
variations. Many of the books begin and end with a prayer, and as there
was never before in Europe a perfect copy of the Æthiopic Scriptures,
means should be taken to supply the Christian Church in Africa with a
complete copy of the Bible.
The fourth volume contains the book of Enoch. There is moreover the New
Testament in Æthiopic, in two volumes, also upon vellum.
The first volume contains a preliminary discourse upon the Gospels, and a
Masoretic analysis of the verses and paragraphs.
The Apostolic writings are also found in two volumes, upon vellum. These
four volumes, in all probability, compose the only perfect copy of the
New Testament in Europe, written in the language of Abyssinia.
Another volume contains the constitutions of the Apostles. Another has
the title of Synaxar, and is an history of the Saints venerated in
Abyssinia.
The Arabic manuscripts are numerous and valuable.
The travels published by Bruce were greatly in favour with the
Sexagenarian, who has left various annotations upon different passages,
which they contain. Though very partial, on the whole, to this most
extraordinary man, he was by no means blind to his errors, or insensible
of his inaccuracies. His confidence in him was very materially diminished
latterly, from having discovered, that Bruce, in all probability, never
was at the battle of Sebraxos, which he nevertheless describes with
circumstantial minuteness, and of which he has introduced plans, drawn
up with the precision of one well versed in military tactics. There
was also something remarkably mysterious and suspicious, as our friend
seemed to think, in the circumstance and character of Luigi Balugani, who
accompanied Bruce as a draughtsman. He owed more to his talents than he
was willing to acknowledge, and the story of his death is glossed over in
a very unsatisfactory manner.
There is a long dissertation in our manuscript, on Bruce’s theory of
Solomon’s voyage to Ophir, and perhaps it may be an object of regret,
that it is too long for insertion. The conclusions which Bruce drew from
his premises are not conceded, nor does he appear to have had a very
clear conception of the subject on which he was writing, and has failed
altogether in proving that Sofola is Ophir.
To conclude this article, it appears, from the concurring testimonies of
succeeding travellers, that Bruce was never appointed to the government
of Ras el Feel, nor indeed to any government at all.
It may not, perhaps, be impertinent to subjoin, that among Bruce’s
manuscripts is a Coptic manuscript on Papyrus.
It was found among the ruins of Thebes, in Egypt. It is written in the
Sahidic or Theban dialect of the Coptic, that is of the language of the
Pharoahs. The above manuscript has been described by Dr. Woide.
Orbis situm dicere, impeditum opus et facundiæ minime capax,
constat enin fere ex gentium locorumque nominibus, et eorum
perplexo satis ordine, quem persequi longa est magis quam
benigna materia, verum adspici tamen cognoscique dignissimum,
et quod sine ope ingenii Orantis ac ipsa sui contemplatione,
pretium operæ attendentium absolvat.