are remarkably sociable. Whenever one of them finds himself without a companion to partake of his meal, he runs till he meets with one; and we are assured that, however keen his appetite may be, he ventures not to satisfy it without a guest.

Savages (says Montaigne), when they eat, “S'essuyent les doigts aux cuisses, à la bourse des génitoires, et à la plante des pieds.” We cannot forbear exulting in the polished convenience of napkins!

The tables of the rich Chinese shine with a beautiful varnish, and are covered with silk carpets very elegantly worked. They do not make use of plates, knives, and forks : every guest has two little ivory or ebony sticks, which he handles very adroitly.

The Otaheiteans, who are naturally sociable, and very gentle in their manners, feed separately from each other. At the hour of repast, the members of each family divide; two brothers, two sisters, and even husband and wife, father and mother, have each their respective basket. They place themselves at the distance of two or three yards from each other; they turn their backs, and take their meal in profound silence.

The custom of drinking at different hours from those assigned for eating is to be met with amongst many savage nations. It was originally begun from necessity. It became a habit, which subsisted even when

the fountain was near to them. People transplanted, observes our ingenious philosopher, preserve in another climate modes of living which relate to those from whence they originally came. It is thus the Indians of Brazil scrupulously abstain from eating when they drink, and from drinking when they eat.

When neither decency nor politeness are known, the man who invites his friends to a repast is greatly embarrassed to testify his esteem for his guests, and to present them with some amusement; for the savage guest imposes on him this obligation. Amongst the greater part of the American Indians, the host is continually on the watch to solicit them to eat, but touches nothing himself. In New France he wearies himself with singing, to divert the company while they eat.

When civilization advances, men wish to show their confidence in their friends: they treat their guests as relations; and it is said that in China the master of the house, to give a mark of his politeness, absents himself while his guests regale themselves at his table with undisturbed revelry.

The demonstrations of friendship in a rude state have a savage and gross character, which it is not a little curious to observe. The Tartars pull a man by the ear to press him to drink, and they continue tor

menting him till he opens his mouth; then they clap their hands and dance before him. No customs seem more ridiculous than those practised by a Kamschatkan, when he wishes to make another his friend. He first invites him to eat. The host and his guest strip themselves in a cabin, which is heated to an uncommon degree. While the guest devours the food with which they serve him, the other continually stirs the fire. The stranger must bear the excess of the heat as well as the repast. He vomits ten times before he will yield; but, at length, obliged to acknowledge himself overcome, he begins to compound matters. He purchases a moment's respite by a present of cloth or dogs; for his host threatens to heat the cabin, and to oblige him to eat till he dies. The stranger has the right of retaliation allowed to him : he treats in the same manner, and exacts the same presents. Should his host not accept the invitation of his guest, whom he has so handsomely regaled, he would come and inhabit his cabin till he had obtained from him the presents he had in so singular a manner given to him. For this extravagant custom a curious reason has been alleged. It is meant to put the person to a trial whose friendship is sought. The Kamschatkan, who is at the expense of the ăres and of:e recast is tesirous +, ×now of He st-anger *as strengt:1 to stroport gain vizil lin. and if he is generous enough to soare votii in some part of his property. Tie tie fiest is employed in his meal. he continues 1eating the cabin -d an insupporticle degree; and for the last gricf. If the stranger's constancy and attachment. He exacts incre cictors ari more dogs. The icst 2asses through the same ceremonies in the capin of the st-arger; ari he shows in his turn, with what degree cf fortiz-de he can defend his friend. It is thus the most singular cistors would appear simple, if it were possiele for the philosopher to corter-plate thern on the spot. As a distinguishing mark of their esteem, the negroes of Ardra drink out of one cup at the same time. The King of Loango eats in one house and drinks in another. A Kamschatkan kneels before his guest; he cuts an enormous slice from a sea-calf; he cram; it entire into the mouth of his friend, furiously crying out, “Tana : Tana!" There! there! and cutting away what hangs about his lips, snatches and swallows it with avidity. A barbarous magnificence attended the feasts of the ancicnt monarchs of France. We are informed that, aster their coronation or consecration, when they sat at table, the nobility served them on horseback.

PART V.

ILLUSTRATIVE RECEPTIONS AND INTERVIEWS OF GREAT PERSONS.

INTERVIEW WITH THE KING OF PERSIA.

By JAMES MORIER, His Majesty's Secretary of Embassy to the Court of Persia, 1808.

the king on the following day was then

arranged ; and it was agreed that the audience should be exactly the same as that given to ambassadors at Constantinople. On the morning, accordingly, we made every preparation of form for our introduction; and each appeared in green slippers with high heels, and red cloth stockings, the court dress always worn before the King of Persia. Early in the morning we received a message