TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA* 
was laid on the floor above the carpets. On this 
were placed the cakeSj so as wholly to cover the 
whole, and supply the place of tablecloths. Here- 
in, says the writer, consists all the apparatus and 
regal pomp of the table of the emperor of Ethio- 
pia ; at which there is neither plate, nor knife, 
nor fork, nor spoon, nor vinegar-cruet, salt-cellar, 
pepper-box, nor dish for holding sugar, nor indeed 
any other article than has now been named. And 
it is worthy of remark, that the cakes, after hav- 
ing served the purpose both of tablecloth and 
plates, serve next as food ; so that the accident 
which once happened to the Trojans in Italy, of 
eating their own tables, was nothing more than is 
every day seen in Ethiopia* 
Now, however, arrived the favourite dish, raw 
flesh, which was placed upon the cakes. Then 
his imperial majesty drew out a species of hanger, 
which he carried with him, and began to cut the 
flesh into pieces^ The pages took these pieces^ 
and having crumbled down a portion of the cakes, 
formed the whole into mouthfuls so enormous, 
that it appeared quite impossible the mouth should 
contain them* They not only thrust them in, 
however, but continued to stuff them one after 
another without intermission, as if they had been 
stuffing a goose for a feast. During this time no 
mention was made of wine. The Abyssinians 
neither drink nor speak in the time of meals } but 
