50? HISTORY OF 



Olearius relates, that the monarch of Persia invited him on a 

 certain day to be present at an entertainment of a very peruliai 

 natm'e, which was exhibited in a :^mall building, near the palace, 

 resembling a theatre. After a collation of fruits and sweetmeats, 

 more than thirty of these wild asses were driven into the area, 

 among which the monarch discharged several shot, and some 

 arrows, and in which he was imitated by some of tlie rest of his 

 attendants. The asses, finding themselves wounded, and no 

 way of escaping, instantly began to attack each other, biting with 

 great fierceness, and braying terribly. In this manner they con- 

 tinued their mutual animosity, while the arrows were poured in 

 from above, until they were all killed : upon which they were 

 ordered to be taken, and sent to the king's kitchen at Ispahan. 

 The Persians esteem the Hesh of this animal so highly, that its 

 delicacy is even become a proverb among them. What may be 

 the taste of wild ass's flesh, sve are unable to say ; but certain 

 it is, that the flesh of the tame ass is the worst that can be ob- 

 tained, being drier, more tough, and more disagreeable than 

 horse-flesh, Galen even says that it is very unwholesome. Yet 

 we should not judge hastily upon the different tastes of different 

 people, in the preference they give to certain meats. The cli- 

 mate produces very great changes in the tenderness and the sa- 

 vour of several viands : that beef, for instance, which is so juicy 

 and good in England, is extremely tough and dry when killed 



entered the den and saw the lions, he immediately fell down dead. One of 

 the lions instantly seized upon him, and sucked out his blood ; but life had 

 previously been extinguished in him, for he did not move a limb. 



An ass at Chartres used to go to the chateau of Quarville, to near the mu- 

 sic that was often performed there. The owner of the chateau was a lady, 

 who had an excellent voice, and whenever she began to sing, the ass never 

 failed to draw nearer the window, and listen very attentively. Once when a 

 piece was performed, which no doubt pleased him better than any he had 

 ever heard before, he left his ordinary post, walked without ceremony into 

 the music-room, and, in order to add to the concert what he thought was 

 alone wanting to render it perfect, began to bray with all his might. 



In Egypt and Arabia asses are frequently seen of great size and elegance ; 

 and in their attitudes and movements they exhibit a degree of gracefulness 

 unknown even in those of Spain. Their step is liglit and sure, and their 

 pace is brisk and easy. They are not only in common use for riding in Egypt, 

 but the Mahometan merchants, the most opulent of the inhabitants, and even 

 ladies of the highest rank, use them ; and not long since, they were the imly 

 animals on which Christians of any rank or qjiality were permitted to appear 

 In the Capita. 



