Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile, in the Years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, & 1773 (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1813. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAP. VI. Queen of Saba visits Jerusalem--Abyssinian Tradition concerning her--Supposed Founder of that Monarchy--Abyssinia embraces the Jewish Religion--Jewish Hierarchy still retained by the Falasha--Some Conjectures concerning their copy of the Old Testament. I Now am to fulfil my promise to the reader, of giving him some account of the visit made by the queen of Sheba *, and the consequences of that visit; the foundation of an Ethiopian monarchy, and the continuation of the sceptre in the tribe of Judah, down to this day. If I am obliged to go back in point of time, it is, that I may preserve both the account of the trade of the Arabian Gulf, and of this Jewish kingdom, distinct, and unbroken. We are not to wonder, if the prodigious hurry and flow of business, and the immensely valuable transactions they had with each other, had greatly familiarised the Tyrians and Jews, with their correspondents the Cushites and Shepherds on the coast of Africa. VOL. II. B b * It should probably be written Saba, Azab, or Azaba, all signifying South. This had gone so far, as very naturally to create a desire in the queen of Azab, the sovereign of that country, to go herself and see the application of the immense treasures that had been exported from her country for a series of years, and the prince who so magnificently employed them. There can be no doubt of this expedition; as Pagan, Arab, Moor, Abyssinian, and all the countries round, vouch for it nearly in the terms of Scripture. Many have thought this queen was an Arab *. But, Saba was a separate state, and the Sabeans a distinct people from the Ethiopians and the Arabs, and have continued so till very lately. We know, from history, that it was a custom among these Sabeans, to have women for their sovereigns in preferenc...