374 
ANTALO. 
threshold of the door : shortly afterwards, on the supposition of 
a question being asked him by the chief, he arose, and still carry- 
ing on the farce, prostrated himself the second time, and gave an 
answer couched in very polite and artful phrases, advancing 
cautiously at the same time into the middle of the room. In this 
manner he continued to take advantage of the attentions paid to 
him, gradually stealing along, till he got close to the side of the 
chief, when he assumed an extraordinary degree of familiarity, 
talked loudly, and, to complete the ridiculous effect of the whole 
scene, affectedly shoved his nose almost in contact with the other's 
face. This species of satire afforded great delight to theTigrians ; 
as they pretend on all occasions to despise the submissive and 
effeminate manners of the people of Amhara, whom they invari- 
ably describe, as possessing smooth tongues and no hearts.*' 
In addition to his other representations, Totte Maze gave a 
most admirable imitation of the mincing step and coquettish man- 
ners of the women of Amhara, and of their extreme affectation in 
answering a few of the most common questions. In all these 
representations, the tones of his voice were so perfectly adapted 
to the different characters, and his action so thoroughly appro- 
priate, that it gave me very unexpected gratification. 
The following instance may be related, as a specimen of the 
wit usually practised by the jesters of this country ; who, like 
the fools of old times, exercise their ingenuity upon persons of 
every description, without regard to rank or station. He had, 
one day, so much offended the Ras by some liberties ihat he had 
taken with him, that he ordered him never again to set foot upon 
his carpet, (which, it may be noticed, extends about half way 
