642 Report on Shoa [No. 140. 



57. His Majesty is welcomed to the capital by a strain of triumph- 

 ant music from every throat in the army, whilst all the successful war- 

 riors decked out in their gayest attire, and vaunting trophies dangling 

 beneath gauntlets and bracelets of silver, careering in front, slowly pro- 

 gress before the royal person in a mazy labyrinth of reticulated circles. 

 The air is rent with shrill whoops and yells, which are answered by the 

 thrilling welcome of the women pealing from the palace and every 

 part of the town, whilst the thundering war song is shouted from 

 the dense phalanx closing the procession. 



The priests receive their royal master with a blessing, and the 

 unceasing clang of big drums, together with frequent discharges of 

 musketry and artillery, fill up the pageant. 



58. From the most remote ages, the glittering bracelet has been 

 always the badge of bravery. The Amalekite, who slew the warrior 

 Saul, took the bracelet that was upon his arm and brought it to David. 

 In some parts of the East they are still used in the investure of gallant 

 chiefs; and the celebrated armlet of Persia surmounted by the great 

 diamond "the crown of the moon," is not more valued by its royal 

 possessor, than the ring of brass which encircles the wrist of the 

 Amhara. The gauntlet, the spoils of the lion, the armlet and the 

 aqua-dama, each advance the warrior in the scale of honor and credit, 

 and when the matted locks are crowned by the white feather of the 

 Hirkom, or the green sprig of wild asparagus, the most frightful 

 tales of blood proceed in streams from the mouth, and there is no 

 deed sufficiently daring for the prowess of the braggart. But it is 

 well known, that many are ornamented who have never proved them- 

 selves in the field, even according to their own base ideas of fight. 

 The lie is brought to the rescue of the coward reputation, and the 

 emblems of bravery are often exhibited, on spilling the blood of the 

 most inferior vermin; but blood is the sacrifice demanded, and it 

 matters little whether it be poured from the veins of the Christian 

 or the Galla, from the elephant or from the mouse; the war song 

 is shouted on every available opportunity, even on the accidental des- 

 truction of a rat, and all would fain appear martial and chivalrous, 

 glorying in the name of the " bravest of the brave." 



59. The principal materials employed in the most ancient crowns 

 and chaplets were wreaths of flowers and leaves, which were afterwards 



