14 
TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
so exquisite as to be solely reserved for the leading 
men in the country, They were devoured accord- 
ingly with delight by Angoteraz, and liberally of- 
fered to the guests, who, however, would on no 
account taste them, but adhered to their European 
cookery. The wine also " walked about with great 
" fury," and, in this part of the entertainment, the 
lady of the house took a most active share, though 
she was concealed from view behind a curtain. 
After this entertainment, the embassy set out 
immediately for the court of the emperor. In their 
way, they passed the celebrated mountain, on which 
the younger sons of the royal family are confined. 
It is described as of vast compass ; so lofty and 
steep as to resemble a wall, with the sky resting on 
it. The party approaching too near, were adver- 
tised of their error by a shower of stones, which in- 
duced a precipitate retreat. They were assured 
that any one who should attempt to ascend would 
have his hands and feet cut off, and his eyes put 
out. The mountain is said to be of such vast 
eompass, that fifteen days are required to perform 
the circuit of it. On its summit are other moun- 
tains with valleys, rivers, and streams. There is 
particularly one valley closely guarded by natural 
barriers, in which the blood royal are confined. 
Several attempts had been made by those confined 
to escape, but they had always proved unsuccess- 
ful. 
it 
