The Abbyssinian Traveller




James Bruce of Kinnaird, also known as the Abbyssinian Traveller, was the great explorer who travelled extensively and produced the book entitled "Travels to Discover the source of the Nile, in the years 1768-69-70-71-72-73 by James Bruce of Kinnaird esq., F.R.S."
He was born on 14th December at Kinnaird in the county of Stirlingshire. He was the eldest son of David Bruce of Kinnaird and Marion, daughter of James Graham of Airth, judge of the High Court of Admiralty in Scotland.

He entered Harrow at the age of 12 years where he earned the esteem of his tutors and instructors for his amiable nature and extraordinary aptitude for learning.
After a spell in Edinburgh University, and having tried other pursuits, he decided to travel to India. He travelled to London in 1753 to seek permission from the East India Company to settle in India as a free trader and it was while he was awaiting this permission that he met and married Adriana Allan, the daughter of a deceased wine merchant. Sadly his wife died soon after their marriage. This unfortunate incident altered Bruce's destiny. Some time after this dark time in his life it was suggested to him that his talents might be successfully used in making discoveries in Africa, and, a short time later he was appointed consul at Algiers where he spent a year studying oriental languages. This appointment proved a stepping-stone to the discovery of the source of the Nile.

After many adventures, overcoming many difficulties by land and sea and numerous hairs breadth escapes, Bruce returned to Marseilles in March 1773 where he was so well received and treated by King Louis XVI and the French court that he is reported to have cried like a child when he was told of the Kings tragic end in January 1793.

When he arrived back in Great Britain Bruce presented King George III with drawings of the exotic cities to which he had journeyed, as he had promised to do prior to his departure. On being presented with these drawings the king is reported to have said, "Very well, very well, Bruce; the colours are fine,very fine. You must make me one, yes, you must make me one of Kew!" Bruce seemingly evaded this chore by replying, "I would with the greatest pleasure obey your Majesty, but here I cannot get such colours."

The incidents portrayed in his book, the lifestyles described and the romantic adventures which were included caused many people to question the authenticity of the work. In the press of the day the amusing "Adventures of Baron Munchausen" was written purposely in ridicule of him.

Bruce's work, however, was authenticated when a group of men of Science later travelled to Cairo and there spoke to an Abbyssinian priest who perfectly remembered Bruce at the court of Gondar, and confirmed various disputed passages of the work in such minute detail that the scientists observed that they scarcely believed any other book of travels could have stood such a test.
Sir David Baird, in command of the British troops embarked on the Red Sea, publicaly stated that the safety of the army was mainly owed to the accuracy of Mr Bruce's chart of that area.

Once, when Bruce was visiting a relative, it was mentioned that it was impossible that the natives of Abbyssinia could eat raw meat. Bruce quietly left the room, and shortly returned from the kitchen with a raw steak, peppered and salted in the Abbyssinian fashion. " You will please eat this, he said, or fight me:" The gentleman preferred the former alternative, ( Bruce was uncommonly large, at six feet four inches,) and with no good grace contrived to swallow the proffered delecacy. When he had finished, Bruce calmly observed, "Now sir, you will never again say it is impossible."

On the 26th April 1794, at Kinnaird House, after entertaining a large party to dinner, as he was hurrying to assist a lady to her carriage, his foot slipped, and he fell headlong down a large staircase. He was knocked unconscious and, although there were no signs of injury, he died early the next morning in his 64th year.
Thus a man who had undergone such dangers, and was placed so often in such imminent peril, lost his life by an accidental fall.
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