TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
governor of Begem der. A vast number of cattle 
were slaughtered every day, and the meat distri- 
buted raw through the town ; while hydromel 
was drunk in immense quantities. Mr Bruce 
was obliged to dine every day with the king, and 
to drink copiously of that favourite liquor, to the 
great injury of his health. In the evening, he re- 
paired to parties given by married ladies, who 
ate, drank, and smoked like the men ; and whose 
whole conduct was, if possible, still less under the 
guidance of order and decorum. Our traveller's 
health was soon so much injured by this course 
of life, that he was forced to retire for some time 
to a house in the country. 
These festive scenes were the forerunner of an 
entire change of affairs, Gusho and Powussen, 
the friends of the Iteghe, and of the late king, 
formed, in conjunction with Fasil, chief of the 
Galla, a plan to surround and cut off Michael. 
The latter gained intelligence of their design, but 
could escape its effects only by retiring into Tigre. 
The confederate chiefs then marched upon Gon- 
dar, where they set up a youth of the name of 
Socinios as king, and themselves exercised the 
whole power of the state. Mr Bruce now retir- 
ed to the Iteghe's country-house at Koscam, 
were he was in safety, though he still continued 
attached to Michael. During an interval of amity 
between that prince and Fasil, Mr Bruce had in- 
