[Illustration: Pl. 44.
_From a Drawing by G. A. Hoskins Esqr._
_Printed by C. Hullmandel._
TEMPLE OF AMARAH.
_Published by Longman, Rees & Co. April 6th. 1835._]
=TRAVELS=
IN
=ETHIOPIA,=
ABOVE THE SECOND CATARACT OF THE NILE;
EXHIBITING
THE STATE OF THAT COUNTRY, AND ITS VARIOUS INHABITANTS,
UNDER THE DOMINION OF MOHAMMED ALI;
AND ILLUSTRATING
=THE ANTIQUITIES, ARTS, AND HISTORY=
OF
THE ANCIENT KINGDOM OF MEROE.
* * * * *
BY G. A. HOSKINS, ESQ.
* * * * *
WITH A MAP,
AND NINETY ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE TEMPLES, PYRAMIDS, ETC. OF MEROE,
GIBEL-EL-BIRKEL, SOLIB, ETC.
FROM DRAWINGS FINISHED ON THE SPOT, BY THE AUTHOR,
AND AN ARTIST WHOM HE EMPLOYED.
LONDON:
LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMAN,
PATERNOSTER-ROW.
1835.
London:
Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE,
New-Street-Square.
TO
=HER ROYAL HIGHNESS=
=THE DUCHESS OF KENT.=
MADAM,
Your Royal Highness having been pleased to inspect, with
some apparent interest, the portfolios of original drawings from which
the illustrations of the annexed volume have been selected, I have
ventured to solicit permission to inscribe the Work to Your Royal
Highness.
It has little merit, perhaps, except fidelity of representation.
But, claiming this for it, I presume to hope that it may obtain Your
Royal Highness’s indulgent consideration, even though it should be
found more deficient in other respects than I am willing to believe.
I have the honour to be,
MADAM,
With profound respect,
Your Royal Highness’s
Most obedient
Humble Servant,
THE AUTHOR.
=PREFACE.=
* * * * *
The following work contains the observations made by the Author during
a journey performed by him in 1833 into the higher parts of Ethiopia.
It is illustrated by engraved representations of the most remarkable
objects in that country, from large drawings, finished on the spot by
himself, or under his direction.
The monuments of Egypt, the most wonderful ever reared by human hands,
have been described by numerous travellers, though there is still ample
room for more full and accurate delineation. Even the antiquities
of Lower Nubia have of late been repeatedly visited. But Ethiopia,
above the second cataract, including the metropolis of the ancient
kingdom of Meroe, had been explored by very few Europeans, and only
two Englishmen; yet it abounds with monuments rivalling those of Egypt
in grandeur and beauty, and possessing, in some respects, a superior
interest. According to Heeren, Champollion, Rosellini, and other
eminent inquirers, whose judgment was confirmed by my own observations,
this was the land whence the arts and learning of Egypt, and ultimately
of Greece and Rome, derived their origin. In this remarkable country we
behold the earliest efforts of human science and ingenuity.
Such were the objects which induced the Author to encounter the
difficulties and hardships of a journey into the upper valley of
the Nile. It were to be wished, that the task had fallen into abler
hands; yet he may be permitted to mention, that he had, to a certain
extent, been prepared for it, by a series of years spent in Italy,
Sicily, Greece, and other countries, distinguished by splendid
remains of antiquity. He resided afterwards for a year in Upper
Egypt, delineating its most remarkable edifices, and studying the
sculptures and the hieroglyphics. He had thus acquired considerable
experience in architectural drawing, and he took care, by the use of
the _camera lucida_, to secure the accuracy of his outline. He had,
likewise, the good fortune to engage the services of a very able
Italian artist. No spot of any consequence was left till a leisurely
and careful delineation had been made of every object of interest
which it contained. It is therefore hoped, that a tolerably complete
and accurate delineation has now been made of the most important
antiquities of Ethiopia.
Although the illustration of ancient monuments formed the Author’s
primary object, he has not neglected to make observations on the
various and often singular tribes by whom the country is at present
inhabited. He has been enabled to exhibit them under a new and very
peculiar aspect, as no longer proud and independent, but reduced
to complete subjection under the severe sway of that extraordinary
character, Mohammed Ali, Pasha of Egypt. It is hoped that some light
has been thrown upon the Turkish system of government, particularly in
the provinces. Perhaps, also, the narrative of his journeys through
extensive tracts of desert may be read with some interest. The original
form of a journal has been retained, as that in which the impressions
of the observer are given in the most faithful and brief manner.
In the concluding chapters, the Author has endeavoured to collect
into one view the scattered notices which alone record the history,
commerce, and arts of the celebrated kingdom of Meroe, and to
illustrate these by recent materials, collected by himself, and others,
from the sculptures and inscriptions still remaining. Lamentably
deficient as our information is on this important subject, it may be
interesting to find the few particulars related in ancient history, and
particularly in the sacred volume, in many respects so fully confirmed
by the evidence of existing monuments.[1]
=CONTENTS.=
* * * * *
CHAPTER I.
Intended Return to Cairo. — Arrival of Artist. —
Determination to penetrate to Meroe. — Motives. —
Advantages to be derived from the Discoveries of Young,
Wilkinson, Champollion, and Rosellini. — Departure from
Thebes. — Turkish Mode of Fasting. — Arrival at Assuan. —
Hints to Travellers on Turkish Etiquette. — Nazr of
Berber. — Unpromising Accounts of the Desert. — Detention
for Want of Camels. — Sheakh of the Ababde Tribe. — Ruins
of Elephantine and Assuan. — Bosnian Soldiers. — Water
Skins defective. — Arrival of the Camels. — Commencement
of the Journey. — Nubian Poverty. — Caravan from
Khartoun. — Cultivation in Lower Nubia. — Singular and
Picturesque Scenery. — Nubian Peasantry and their Slaves.
— Turkish Humanity. — Roman Enclosure at Dacker. —
Provisions in Nubia. — Similarity of a modern and ancient
Custom. — Nubians, their Prejudices, Poverty, Food, Want
of Religion, and Drunkenness. — Their domestic Comfort,
and comparative Freedom. — Wady el Arab. — Arrival at
Korosko. — Preparations for crossing the Great Nubian
Desert. — The Governor of Korosko. — Drunken Coptic
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