(London: Edward Arnold, 1892).

RARE FIRST EDITION AND AN EXCEPTIONAL COPY. In October 1887 Portal was ordered to attempt a reconciliation between the king of Abyssinia and the Italian government. To succeed in such a mission was almost impossible, but he made every effort, and showed rare judgement and coolness in travelling through a disturbed country. This is Portal s personal narrative of his travels and adventures in Northern Africa accompanied by his companions Major Beech and Hutchinson. Traveling under the auspices of the English Mission, he recounts his experiences, many harrowing, while traveling to and from the camp of The King of Abyssinia. He describes in interesting detail the country and its inhabitants including their appearance, manners, and customs.
 Few people appear to have any idea of the wild and striking beauty of this African Switzerland, and still fewer have much knowledge of the curious habits, customs, and traditions of this most interesting race. -author.
The first owner of this copy, Brigadier General Bertram P. Portal, was educated at Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire. He gained the rank of officer in 1885 in the service of the 17th Lancers and held the office of Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Madras between 1896 and 1898. He fought in the Boer War between 1899 and 1902, was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the South African Medal with three clasps and the King's Medal with two clasps. He was decorated with the award of the Companion, Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) in 1902, was Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevel Colonel of the 17th Lancers between 1903 and 1907. He fought in the First World War, and was mentioned in dispatches, served as Commander of the Reserve Cavalry Regiment between 1916 and 1918 and was Commander of the Cavalry Brigade between 1916 and 1918 at France. Item #28294

First edition. A COPY WITH FINE PROVENANCE, being the copy of Brigadier General Bertram P. Portal. With 9 splendid illustrations on full page plates and one folding map. 8vo, publisher s original maroon cloth, lettered in gilt on the spine and with central gilt pictorial motif of 7 spears and 2 shields on the upper cover. vi, 261, folding map, 2 pages of ads pp. A very handsome copy, the maroon cloth uncommonly fresh and bright and showing very little wear, hinges strong and tight, some of the normal spotting at the prelims.