7® 
TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA, 
He was dressed in a long silken vest embroidered 
with gold, having over it a kind of scarf made of 
very fine cotton. Before entering, they were 
obliged to pull off their shoes ; and on being 
ushered into the presence, did homage, by falling 
on their knees, and thrice kissing the ground. 
The king shewed great pleasure at the view of 
the glasses, curiosities, &c. which were offered as 
presents, and put many questions, which shewed 
an intelligent and inquisitive turn of mind. The 
chief amusement of this monarch was to make an 
excursion twice a-week into the country, with a 
numerous cavalcade of courtiers and attendants* 
Most of his time there was spent in seeing his 
nobles fire at a mark. On other days he devoted 
himself almost entirely to public business, parti- 
cularly to the administration of justice, which is 
performed in the summary manner usual over all 
the east. On the death of a king of Sennaar, 
the great council assembles, and having fixed 
upon the heir, immediately takes measures for 
putting all his brothers to death. One brotlier 
of the reigning monarch, however, had escaped 
this barbarous precaution, and was now in Abys- 
sinia. 
Poncet was much struck with the cheapness of 
all commodities at Sennaar. A camel cost only 
seven or eight livres, an ox two and a half^ a 
fiheep fifteen pence, and a hen a penny. The 
