To the Emperor Menehk or his successor are left all the Abyssinian manuscripts in Lady Meux’s possession.
These are understood to have been obtained on the capture of Magdala in the Abyssinian War oi” 1868. Envoys from the Emperor were sent over to arrange for their recovery, and it is believed that the present bequest is the fulfilment of a promise then given
. About ten years ago, when the A.byssinian Prince Ras Makonnen came to this country with three of the Ethiopian bishops and an Arabic-speaking secretary, the visitors were invited to Theobald’s by Lady Meux, who- asked Dr. Budge to show them the MSS. The Prince was particularly attracted by “The Miracles of the Virgin Mary,” and when told that it had belonged to one of his ancestors he knelt down and prayed for their souls.
Then he burst into tears. Never, he said, had he seen any such beautiful MSS. in the country he and they had come from, and he would ask the Emperor to buy them back. Later in the day his secretary approached Dr. Budge and offered him a handsome bribe if he would induce the owner to sell. Lady Meux,
on being told of the offer, at first laughed ; but then looked very serious and exclaimed : “What a beastly thing it is for your horrid people to go about the world stealing these books ? What’s the good of them ?”
Next day she asked Dr. Budge to present Ras Makonnen with a whole set of the printed and translated editions.
The Prince received them with much gratitude, and, as he took them each in turn into his hand, knelt down and placed it on his head to obtain the blessing of the sacred text.
ABYSSINIAN PRINCE’S GRATITUDE.
