- Colonel H. YULE, C.B., President.
- Admiral C. R. DRINKWATER BETHUNE, C.B. Vice-President.
- Major-General Sir HENRY RAWLINSON, K.C.B. Vice-President.
- W. A. TYSSEN AMHERST, Esq., M.P.
- Rev. G. P. BADGER, D.C.L.
- J. BARROW, Esq.
- WALTER DE GRAY BIRCH, Esq.
- E. A. BOND, Esq.
- E. H. BUNBURY, Esq.
- Admiral Sir R. COLLINSON, K.C.B.
- The Earl of DUCIE.
- AUGUSTUS W. FRANKS, Esq.
- Captain HANKEY, R.N.
- Lieut.-General. Sir J. HENRY LEFROY, C.B., K.C.M.G.
- R. H. MAJOR, Esq.
- Rear-Admiral MAYNE, C.B.
- DELMAR MORGAN, Esq.
- Admiral Sir ERASMUS OMMANNEY, C.B.
- Lord ARTHUR RUSSELL, M.P.
- The Lord STANLEY of Alderley.
- EDWARD THOMAS, Esq.
- Lieut.-General Sir HENRY THUILLIER, C.S.I.
- CLEMENTS R. MARKHAM. C.B., Honorary Secretary.
INTRODUCTION.
The present work on Abyssinia is the earliest extant; for though Pedro de Covilham, the explorer of King John II, who was despatched from Portugal in May 1487, reached Abyssinia more than thirty years before our author, he does not appear to have left any written memorial of his long residence in that country.
This work of Francisco Alvarez has been translated from the original edition printed in black letter by Luis Rodriguez, bookseller of the King, on the 22nd October 1540, the British Museum Catalogue supposes at Coimbra.
The narrative of Alvarez has been translated into several languages, but most of these translations are considerably abridged. The following are a list of the translations:—
“Viaggio fatta nella Ethiopia, Obedienza data a Papa Clemente Settimo in nome del Prete Gianni.” Primo Volume delle navigazione. 1550. Fol.
“Viaggio nella Ethiopia, Ramusio.” 1 vol. 1554.
“Description de l’Ethiopie.” 1556. Fol.
“Historia de las cosas de Etiopia.” Traduzida de Portugues en Castillano, por Thomas de Padilla. Anvers: Juan Steelsio, 1557. 8vo.