changing his dress, immediately sent for us; and when we had entered, seated himself on a chair of ivory. On his right sat King Scheale [Scheik Ali], and we opposite, on a seat allotted to ambassadors at times when an audience is given to them, or when they have matters of business to treat about. Below the king sat certain knesi and councillors, and on the left side such of the younger knesi as were honoured with the prince's especial favour and regard. When all were seated, there were first brought some confections (as they call them) of coriander, aniseed, and almonds; then nuts, almonds, and a whole pyramid of sugar, which the servants presented on their knees to the prince, the king, and ourselves. The drink was presented in a similar manner; and the prince showed his favours in the same way as he does at dinners. In my first embassy we had dinner at that place; and it happened, that through the tent being shaken, the bread, which they call the "Blessed Virgin's bread", and which they worship and eat as consecrated bread, and keep with great reverence deposited in some distinguished part of the house, fell on the ground, and the prince and all the rest were so thunderstruck at the accident, that they stood trembling until a priest was sent for, who picked it up from the grass with the greatest care and reverence. When the collation was finished, and we had taken the cup sent to us by the prince and drunk, he dismissed us, saying, "Now depart". After our dismissal, we were escorted with all honour to our hotels.
There is another kind of amusement at which, as I have heard, he entertains other ambassadors. Bears are kept confined in a very large house used for that purpose, in which the prince is accustomed to exhibit games for the amusement of ambassadors. He has some men of the lowest condition, who, by the command and under the observation of the prince, attack the bears with pitchforks, and provoke them to fight; and if in the encounter they happen to be wounded
