1843.] and the Abyssinian Church. 649 



and thus runs its course down to the individual, whose rank incapa- 

 citates him from rejecting the proffered morsel. 



79. During the repast, the fiddlers and harpers who are stationed in 

 the opening of the horse- shoe, dance and sing to the notes of their in- 

 struments, and ever and anon the shrill notes of some " Asmaree" 

 stationed in a corner of the hall, rise thundering to the very roof, in 

 acclamation of the generosity, hospitality, and magnificence of the great 

 emperor of the Amhara. 



80. After the guests are fully satisfied with food, the company rise, 

 and each being provided with a large horn of mead, lounges against the 

 walls to complete the inebriation which has been but partially effected 

 at the table, whilst crowds of well dressed female slaves speedily reple- 

 nish the diminished structures of food and liquor. 



81. The great doors are again thrown open, and a fresh set enter 

 amidst the increasing din, and the entertainment is continued till late 

 in the afternoon ; etiquette enforcing on these occasions the presence of 

 the monarch throughout the entire time. Hundreds of bullocks are de- 

 voured, together with many more measures of wheat than can be well 

 conceived ; but altogether considerable decorum is preserved, and al- 

 though the guests reach a maudlin state of drunkenness, yet the presence 

 of the king is generally respected, and the exuberance of incited mirth 

 expends itself in harmless praises of the royal host. 



82. Such, however, is not the case at private parties, the crub of er- 

 straint is allowed to fall loose, the fierce passions gain along with the 

 liquor the entire ascendency, and guests seldom return to their homes, 

 without witnessing the broil and the scuffle, the flashing of the swords, 

 and the dealing of deep cuts and wounds among the drunken combat- 

 ants. 



83. Sunday is the great day for feasting, and is universally believed to 

 have been designed for the express purpose of eating and stuffing. Men 

 do not labour in the fields, women abstain from grinding and sewing 

 cloths ; and although other work is carried on as on ordinary week days, 

 the chief employment for all who can afford it, is to pass the entire 

 time in eating, drinking, and sleeping. 



84. The influence of the evil eye is supposed to have little or no 

 avail within the palace walls, and the great door is suffered to remain 

 open during the operation of eating ; but elsewhere it is scrupulously 



4 Q 



