I30 A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA chap. 



when the feast was over, they would, as Hkely as not, be 

 seized by their hereditary enemies and finished out of 

 hand. The centre aisle nearest the dais was reserved 

 for priests, while the officers sat on either side of them. 

 The soldiers filled the remainder of the hall, until over 

 4000 guests were being regaled. An Azajs (or steward), 

 holding a great piece of raw beef and a handful of small 

 sharp knives, placed himself by each group of priests 

 and officers, while, to save time, the soldiers were served 

 with portions already cut. To each was handed a horn 

 cup, nearly a foot long, filled with tej. Meanwhile, an 

 Abyssinian brass-band played a selection of music, in- 

 cluding the national airs of France, Russia, and England. 

 The band had been trained by a Russian in 1897, and, 

 as at that time Italy was not exactly popular in Abys- 

 sinia, the bandmaster did not teach the band the Italian 

 national hymn. For the latter, on this occasion, they 

 substituted the " La Marguerite " waltz, and wound up 

 with the Ethiopian national air composed by their former 

 instructor. To each of these we drank standings all 

 turning and bowing to the Emperor after the last. 

 While we sat looking down at the strange scene around 

 us, cigars and cigarettes were handed round. When 

 it is remembered that in the reign of King John the 

 punishment for smoking was the cutting off of the lips, 

 this consideration of His Majesty for his European 

 visitors speaks well for his liberal spirit and kindness of 

 heart. As the first detachment of guests finished their 

 bread and meat, they were each given a small glass of 

 araki and ushered out by great doors at the end of the 

 aisles, on either side of the dais. The bread-baskets 



