1^6^ MifcelUnea Curiofa. Ypl. Ill/ 



cd here and there among them, and placed 

 for a Border or Garnifh round about the 

 Table. In the middle of all was one of a 

 larger fi^e than all the reft, in which was the 

 Camel's Bones, and a thin Broth in which 

 they were boiled: The other greater ones 

 feemed all filled with one and the fame fort 

 of Provifion, a kind of Plumb-Broth, made 

 of Rice, and the flefhy part of the Camel, 

 with Currants and Spices, being of fome- 

 thing a darker Colour than what is made 

 in out Country. The lefler were, for the 

 the moft part, charged with Rice drefs'd 

 after feveral Modes, fome of them having 

 Leben^ (a thick four Milk) poured upon 

 them. Leben is a thing in mighty Efteem 

 in thefe Hot Countries, being very ufeful 

 to quench Thirft : And truly we had need 

 of it here ; for I did not fee a drop of any 

 Ibrt of Liquor, excepting Difli of Coflee 

 before Dinner, drank at this fplendid Feafr. 

 Knives, Forks, Spoons, Trenchers, &c, are 

 iilly Impertient Things in the Efteem <^f the 

 :Arabs : However, we being known to make 

 life of fuch things, had large Wooden Spoons 

 laid before us. When the Table was thus 

 plentifully furnifli'd, the King arifing from 

 his Seat, went and fat down to that Dilh 

 that was direftly before him i and fo did 

 the reft, as many as it would contain, which 

 could not be much ftiort of a hundred; 

 and fo without further Ceremony, theyjfeli 

 to thrufting their Hands into the -Diflies, 

 and Eating by Handfuls : Neither was there 

 any occalion of Carvings onlybecaufe thofe 

 Dillies in the middle were too remot-e tp 



- be 



