TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
37 
plank of five or six palms in diameter, which was 
laid on the floor above the carpets. On this were 
placed the cakes, so as wholly to cover the whole, 
and supply the place of table-cloths. Herein, says 
the writer, consists all the apparatus, and regal pomp 
of the table of the emperor of Ethiopia ; at which 
there is neither plate, nor knife, nor fork, nor spoon, 
nor vinegar-cruet, salt-ceiler, pepper-box, nor dish 
for holding sugar, nor indeed any other article than 
has now been named. And it is worthy of remark, 
that the cakes, after having served the purpose both 
of table-cloth and plates, serve next as food ; so 
that the accident which once happened to the Tro- 
jans in Italy, of eating their own tables, was nothing 
more than is every day seen in Ethiopia. 
Now, however, arrived the favourite dish, raw 
flesh, which was placed upon the cakes. Then his 
imperial majesty drew out a species of hanger, 
which he carried with him, and began to cut the 
flesh into pieces. The pages took these pieces^ and, 
having crumbled down a portion of the cakes, form- 
ed the whole into mouthfuls so enormous, that it 
appeared quite impossible the mouth should con- 
tain them. They not only thrust them in, how- 
ever, but continued to stuff them one after ano- 
ther without intermission, as if they had been stuf- 
fing a goose for a feast. During this time no men- 
tion was made of wine. The Abyssinians neither 
drink nor speak in the time of meals $ but as soon 
