TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
71 
palace, through whom the emperor marched in his 
most splendid attire, preceded by the sound of fifes, 
kettle-drums, trumpets, hautboys, and other instru- 
ments. His crown, adorned with a cross of jewels, 
was carried before him, and his led horses, covered 
with immensely rich trappings, closed the proces- 
sion. On the entrance into the church, two can- 
nons were fired, and two more, when the sacra- 
ment was administered. The emperor dined that 
day in public. Our traveller's account of the 
dishes coincides precisely with that of Lobo, with 
the addition, that every thing which the monarch 
eats is previously tasted. A little brandy, follow- 
ed by mead, were the only liquors used by him. 
Poncet was surprised at the absence of wine, con- 
sidering the admirable grapes which the country 
produced. He was told, however, that the heat 
prevented wine from keeping ; and, on tasting the 
mead, he found it delicious, though not very salu- 
tary to the stomach. 
Gondar is three or four leagues in circumference, 
and contains a hundred churches. It exhibits no- 
thing, however, of the splendour of an European 
city. The houses are only one story high, and 
there are no shops. The trade, which is exten- 
sive, is carried on in a vast open space, where the 
goods are daily exposed on mats. The current 
specie consists of gold and salt. 
Poncet was prevented by accident from visiting 
