ANTALOW. 
137 
hand and put it into their mouths ; such at least was the usual 
practice with the Ras and all the chiefs whom we had an oppor- 
tunity of observing, on this and many other occasions. I mention 
these seemingly trifling particulars, to shew that Bruce is mistaken 
when he asserts, that " no man in Abyssinia, of any fashion what- 
ever, feeds himself, or touches his own meat indeed so far from 
this delicacy being observed, it is extremely common for the highest 
chiefs to help their neighbours round, and not unfrequently even 
their women, as we afterwards particularly observed at the table 
ofGusmati Ischias, who was one of the first fashion at Gondarwhen 
Bruce was there. If the piece happened not to please the person 
who cut it olF, he handed it to a dependant behind him, from whom 
it sometimes passed to a seventh hand, if not approved. 
" While the brinde was serving up, of which the quantity con 
sumed is scarcely credible, the maize was distributed about very 
plentifully in brulhes, or Venetian glasses, horns being used only 
for booza. The first party being satisfied, retired from table, and 
was succeeded by another of inferior rank, by which the remains 
of the brinde were consumed. After these came a third, a fourth, 
and even a fifth party, who were obliged to content themselves with 
the coarse teft bread, and a single horn of booza, and were driven 
away by the master of the ceremonies before they had taken their 
fill. Near the conclusion of the feast, the Ras sent off from the table 
large quantities of teft bread, for the followers of those chiefs most 
in favour. The whole ended with a violent scramble for the last 
cakes, during which it seemed to be a point of etiquette to make as 
much uproar and confusion as possible. During the feast there were 
a few boys permitted to remain, by favour, under the table, to pick 
