36 
TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
Herein, says the writer, " consist all the majestic 
" palaces, the regal halls, the superb structures, the 
" columns of porphyry, the Corinthian domes 
" which were feigned to exist in this Ethiopia, 
$ whose proudest edifice more resembled the hum- 
" ble abode in which Evander received the Trojan 
" Chief." He admits, however, that the Abyssi- 
nian monarchs may be excused for not building 
what, from the continual state of movement in 
which they are kept, it would be impossible for 
them to enjoy. 
Payz, during his residence, was invited to dine 
at the imperial table, of which he has left a descrip- 
tion much more detailed than any that has appear- 
ed prior to Bruce. 
The ceremony began by the pages placing in 
the antichamber two tables, a smaller one for the 
emperor, and a larger for the fathers. Between 
these tables a curtain was drawn, as it was deemed 
an inviolable custom in Ethiopia, that no one, ex- 
cept the pages in attendance, should see the empe- 
ror eat. Ten women then entered, bearing seve- 
ral large baskets, with coverings of straw or junk, 
resembling hats with very broad brims, so as to 
spread over the sides of the baskets. Within these 
baskets were twenty, thirty, or more, very broad 
and thin cakes of wheat or tefF. After these came 
other women bearing earthen porringers with soups 
of various kinds. The table consisted of a round 
