Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-12-13

hates the whites as much as ever; at the
same time be is no longer the young and
hot blooded chieftain of a quarter of
century ago.
Passing from our own country, the
AbyssinIans, who are also Christians,
have q peculiar way OF celebrating tue
Christians greatest festival. Though
claiming to be descendants OF King
Solomon and Queen Shebs. the
Abyssinians have strong an
tipathy toward the Jews. NJ.
Castrioni, an Italian officer who
recently visited the court of King
Menelek of Abyssin thus describes what
1e witnessed: ''The preparations for
the Christmas festival began about three
dsys before. From all parts of the country
the chiettains loyal To Melelek were
gathering to the court, accompanied
by bands of followers, and bringing
with them a number of cattle and
other commodities. Each arrival was
signalized by loud beating of drums
aud yells Of welcome. The formal re-
ception and homage of all the visiting
chieft aims was reserved for the day be-
fore Christmas. All the Jews had been
ordered early on the previous morning
until after the festivities. and any He
brew who was at all dilstory was seized
and soundly beaten, in some instances
also the soldiers pluoking large punches
Of hair out of the boards of the unhappy
Jews. On Christmas eve King Msne!ek
sat on his throne, a crown on his head,
end two young and tame lions on each
side of him. The mobiles presented them
selves one BY one and kneIt before him.
He received them graciously. motioning
with his hand for them to rise. Then
q number of slaves entered, bearing
platters of raw meat, cut fresh and
warm from cattle just slam, aud bowls
Of the hideous fermented preparation
which to the Abyssinian is the equivalent
for wine. The king was first served q
knseling slave holding u platter in his
extended hands while his majesty ate.
Then the others fell to, and the meat
soon disappeared. The supply, however,
was abundant aud promptly renewed |.
The means OF the slaughtered cattle
could DO distinctly heard short distan ce
away, and spoiled what appetite l pos
sessed for such a rspast. AS matter of
courtesy, however, 1 managed to dispose
of mouthful. The feast grew into an
orgy. Shortly before midnight a score of
female dancers filed in and began the
favorite dance OF Abyssinia. The king
and his mobiles looked on, and
hailed the more eXtravagant GESTURES,
the oheftains with frenzed applause,
the king with q maudlin, half-dignitied
nod. How it all ended l know not, as
got weary of the excitement, and no:
altogether without apprehension as to
the conduct OF these seml-savages
when PLAINLY under the influence
of their detestabls and madden
ing alcoholic beverages, 1 quietly
withdrew. heard afterwards,
however, that the drunken king turned
his lions loose among the poor dancers
for the amusement of his noble audi
ence, and that several of the girls were
badly scratched by the animals, which
however, did no more serious injury. On
the following day religious services were
performed after the manner of the coun-
try, aud the evening was celebrated with
another orgie and dance at the royal
quarters, the followers of each ohieftain
carousing at their respective camps.
Festivities went on this way for week,
and at the close OF the holidays the
whole neighborhood Of the capital was
strewn with the remnants of food, while
everyone, from king to serf, showed tbs
signs of prolonged and deep dissipation.