/ 
MISSION OF PAYZ. 37 
*^ the majestic palaces, the regal halls, the superb 
" structures, the columns of porphyry, the Co- 
" rinthian domes which were feigned to exist in 
this Ethiopia, whose proudest edifice more re- 
" sembled the humble abode in which Evander 
" received the Trojan chief." He admits, how- 
ever, that the Abyssinian monarchs may be ex- 
cused for not building what, from the continual 
state of movement in which they are kept, it 
would be impossible for them to enjoy. 
Payz, during his residence, was invited to dine 
at the imperial table, of which he has left a 
description much more detailed than any that has 
appeared prior to Bruce. 
The ceremony began by the pages placing in 
the antichamber two tables, a smaller one for the 
emperor, and a larger for the fathers. Between 
these tables a curtain was drawn, as it was deem- 
ed an inviolable custom in Ethiopia, that no one, 
except the pages in attendance, should see the 
emperor eat. Ten women then entered, bearing 
several large baskets, with coverings of straw or 
junk, resembling hats with very broad brims, so 
as to spread over the sides of the baskets. Within 
these baskets were twenty, thirty, or more, very 
broad and thin cakes of wheat or teff. After these 
came other women bearing earthen porringers with 
soups of various kinds. The table consisted of a 
round plank of five or six palms in diameter, which 
