ABYSSINIAN BANQUET.

1. THE Abyssinians seem to be placed below the most savage tribes, by the extreme coarseness of their festive indulgences. Their feast has excited the astonishment of all travellers. The Portuguese ambassador, being invited to a feast, was much surprised, instead of the usual dishes, to see brought in, "pieces of raw flesh, with warm blood." 2. The landlord, on seeing his guests show no favour to his dish, ordered other food better suited to their tastes; but immediately began to devour the flesh. Mr. Bruce and

Mr. Salt have given particular descriptions of these barbarous festivals. The table, which is low, is first covered with successive piles of teff cakes, serving at once as food and as towels to wipe their fingers upon.

3. The company being seated, the next process is the slaughter of the cattle, which are standing at the door, and the cutting of warm steaks from their flesh. Mr. Bruce describes these to be extracted while the animal is yet alive, and roaring under the pain of the wound. But Mr. Salt affirms that the head is separated from the body, before the slicing is performed. Both admit that the luxury of an Abyssinian feast consists in having the pieces brought in while the blood is yet warm, and the fibres palpitating.

4. "The company," says Mr. Bruce, "are so arranged, that one man sits between two women.-No man in Abyssinia, of any fashion whatever, feeds himself, or touches his own meat. The women take the steak and cut it lengthwise, like strings, about the thickness of your little finger, then crosswise into square pieces, something smaller than dice. This they lay upon a piece of teff bread, strongly powdered with black pepper, and fossil salt; they then wrap it up in the teff bread like a cartridge.

5. "In the mean time, the man, having put up his knife, with each hand resting on his neighbour's knee, his body stooping, his head low and forward, and his mouth open very like an idiot, turns to her whose cartridge is first ready, who stuffs the whole into his mouth, which is so full, that he is in constant danger of being choked. This is a mark of grandeur.

6. "The greater a man would seem to be, the larger

the pieces he takes into his mouth; and the more noise he makes in chewing it, the more polite he is thought to be. They, indeed, have a proverb, that says, " Beggars and thieves eat only small pieces, or without making a noise." Having despatched this morsel, which he does very expeditiously, his next female neighhour holds forth another cartridge, which goes the same way, and so on till he is satisfied.

7. "He never drinks till he has finished eating; and before he begins, in gratitude to the fair ones that fed him, he makes up two small rolls of the same kind and form; each of his neighbours open their mouths at the same time, while with each hand he puts their portion into their mouths. He then falls to drinking out of a large handsome horn; the ladies eat till they are satisfied, and then all drink together. A great deal of mirth and joke goes round, very seldom with any acrimony or ill humour." Mr. Bruce and Mr. Salt both witnessed the barbarous practice, when on a journey, of cutting steaks from a living animal, and then closing up the wound and driving him on.

Note. Abyssinia, or Upper Ethiopia, is a kingdom of Africa, extending from 70 to 16° north latitude. It is situ ated west of the Red Sea and south of Nubia.

THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER.

1. IN a remote period of antiquity, when the supernatural and the marvellous obtained a readier credence than now, it was fabled that a stranger of extraordinary appear ance was observed passing the streets of one of the magnificent cities of the east, remarking with an eye of intelli gent curiosity every surrounding object.

2. Several individuals gathering round him questioned him concerning his country and his business; but they presently perceived that he was unacquainted with their language, and he soon discovered himself to be equally ignoFant of the most common usages of society. At the same time, the dignity and intelligence of his air and demeanour forbade the idea of his being either a barbarian or a lunatick. 3. When at length he understood by their signs, that they

wished to be informed whence he came, he pointed with great significance to the sky; upon which the crowd, concluding him to be one of their deities, were proceeding to pay him divine honours; but he no sooner comprehended their design, than he rejected it with horror; and, bending his knees and raising his hand toward heaven, in the attitude of prayer, gave them to understand that he also was a worshipper of the powers above.

4. After a time, it is said, the mysterious stranger accepted the hospitalities of one of the nobles of the city; under whose roof he applied himself with great diligence to the acquirement of the language, in which he made such surprising proficiency, that, in a few days, he was able to hald intelligent intercourse with those around him.

5. The noble host now resolved to take an early opportunity of satisfying his curiosity respecting the country and quality of his guest: and, upon his expressing this desire, the stranger assured him that he would answer his inquiries that evening after sun-set. Accordingly, as night approached, he led him forth upon the balconies of the pa lace, which overlooked the wealthy and populous city.

6. Innumerable lights from its busy streets and splendid palaces were now reflected in the dark bosom of its noble river; where stately vessels, laden with rich merchandise from all parts of the known world, lay anchored in the port. This was a city in which the voice of the harp and the viol, and the sound of the mill-stone were continually heard-and craftsmen of all kinds of craft were there-and the light of a candle was seen in every dwelling-and the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride were heard there.

7. The stranger mused awhile upon the glittering scene; and listened to the confused murmur of mingling sounds. Then suddenly raising his eyes to the starry firmament, he fixed them with an expressive gaze on the beautiful evening star which was just sinking behind a dark grove that surrounded one of the principal temples of the city. Marvel not," said he to his host, "that I am wont to gaze with fand affection on yon silvery star.

8. "That was my home-yes, I was lately an inhabitant of that tranquil planet; from whence a vain curiosity has tempted me to wander. Often had I beheld, with wondering admiration, this brilliant world of yours, even one of the brightest gems of our firmament-and the ardent

desire I had long felt to know something of its condition, was at length unexpectedly gratified. I received permission and power from above to traverse the mighty void, and to direct my course to this distant sphere.

9. To that permission, however, one condition was annexed, to which my eagerness for the enterprise induced me hastily to consent-namely, that I must thenceforth remain an inhabitant of this strange earth, and undergo all the vicissitudes to which its natives are subject. Tell me, therefore, I pray you, what is the lot of man-and explain to me more fully than I yet understand, all that I hear and see around me."

10. "Truly, sir," replied the astonished noble, "although I am altogether unacquainted with the manners and customs, products and privileges of your country, yet, methinks, I cannot but congratulate you on your arrival in our world; especially since it has been your good fortune to alight on a part of it affording such various sources of enjoyment as this our opulent and luxuriant city. And be assured it will be my pride and pleasure to introduce you to all that is most worthy the attention of such a distinguished foreigner"

11. Our adventurer, accordingly, was presently initiated into those arts of luxury and pleasure which were there well understood. He was introduced by his obliging host to their public games and festivals to their theatrical diversions and convivial assemblies; and in a short time he began to feel some relish for amusements, the meaning of which, at first, he could scarcely comprehend.

12. The next lesson which it became desirable to impart to him, was the necessity of acquiring wealth, as the only means of obtaining pleasure. A fact which was no sooner understood by the stranger, than he gratefully accepted the offer of his friendly host to place him in a situation in which he might amass riches.

13. To this object he began to apply himself with diligence; and was becoming in some measure reconciled to the manners and customs of our planet, strangely as they differed from those of his own, when an incident occurred which gave an entirely new direction to his energies. It was but a few weeks after his arrival on our earth, when, walking in the cool of the day with his friend, in the outskirts of the city, his attention was arrested by the appear

ance of a spacious enclosure near which they passed.He inquired the use to which it was appropriated.

14." It is," replied the nobleman, "a place of public interment." "I do not understand you," said the stranger. "It is the place," repeated his friend, "where we bury our dead." "Excuse me, sir," replied his companion, with some embarrassment, "I must trouble you to explain yourself yet further." The nobleman repeated the information in still plainer terms. I am still at a loss to comprehend you perfectly," said the stranger, turning deadly pale. This must relate to something of which I was not only totally ignorant in my own world, but of which I have, as yet, had no intimation in yours."

15. "I pray you, therefore, to satisfy my curiosity; for if I have any clue to your meaning, this, surely, is a matter of more mighty concernment than any to which you have hitherto directed me." "My good friend," replied the nobleman, "you must be indeed a novice among us, if you have yet to learn that we must all, sooner or later, submit to take our place in these dismal abodes.

16. "Nor will I deny that it is one of the least desirable of the circumstances which appertain to our condition; for which reason it is a matter rarely referred to in polished society; and this accounts for your being hitherto uninformed on the subject. But truly, sir, if the inhabitants of the place from whence you came are not liable to any similar misfortune, I advise you to betake yourself back again with all speed; for be assured there is no escape here—nor could I guaranty your safety even for a single hour!"

17. "Alas!" replied the adventurer, "I must submit to the conditions of my enterprise, of which, till now, I little understood the import. But explain to me, I beseech you, something more of the nature and consequence of this wondrous change, and tell me at what period it commonly happens to man.' While he thus spoke, his voice faltered, and his whole frame shook violently; his countenance was as pale as death.

18. By this time his companion, finding the discourse becoming more serious than was agreeable, declared he must refer him to the priests for further information, this subject being very much out of his province. "How!" exclaimed the stranger, "then I cannot have understood you. Do the priests only die? are not you to die also ?"