A CAUCASIAN FEAST. 59 



places at table, eighteen guests in all, and 

 every guest, except an English youug lady, 

 the governess of the family, and ourselves, of 

 princely rank. 



Havino' swallowed our modicum of neat 

 spirit which, with some trifling relish, such as 

 a large white radish or piece of salt cheese, 

 forms the necessary prelude of every dinner, 

 we were allowed about five minutes for honest, 

 straio-htforward feedino-. Then the toolam- 

 batch arose, and our glasses (small tumblers) 

 havino- been filled with the red wine of 

 Kakhetia, the toast-giver proposed the health 

 of the Princess. At this all rose, bowed, and 

 clinked glasses with our hostess, emptied 

 the tumblers, struck them loudly on the table ; 

 and then the nimble-fino-ered amouo-st the 

 men sent their glasses whirling head over 

 heels in the air, to show they were innocent 

 of heel taps, caught them as they descended 

 in their left hands, and replaced them on the 



