S76 ANTALO. 
jest, ended in blows ; but, even in such cases, they are never 
known to attack each other with any other weapon than the sticks, 
or bandies, which they employ in the game. In one instance, 
Mr. Pearce mentioned an instance which occurred in his pre- 
sence, where one-half of the town of Moculla was so hotly 
engaged against the other, that at last the combat became very 
alarming, and the Ras himself was obliged to interfere, but did 
not succeed in parting them, till several men had been laid dead 
in the iield. The Ras received an accidental blow in the fray, 
notwithstanding which, he would not, from a feeling of huma- 
nity, which is the distinguishing feature of his character, permit 
Mr. Pearce to use his pistols, which he had drawn out for the 
occasion. 
In a country like xlbyssinia, where the natives possess so lively 
and active a character, it may be readily conceived, that every 
marriage, birth, or other important event, is attended with great 
festivity and rejoicing, all of which, however, they celebrate so 
much in the same way, that it will not be necessary to enter fur- 
ther into a description of them. I shall merely observe, that at 
the commencement of such meetings, nothing can be more 
agreeable than to witness the gaiety, mutual harmony, and mirth 
which is displayed, and it is remarkable, that, even during the 
scenes of intoxication, which almost invariably ensue, the higher 
ranks are very rarely known to quarrel, no single instance of any 
one of them drawing his knife on such an occasion having ever 
fallen under my own observation. 
On the 27th of April, I had a public audience given me by the 
Ras, at which, he delivered into my hands a letter written in the 
