ABSTRACT

[65/1] On landing at the Gatte or pier of the City we were met by four elephants with gilt howdahs besides ceriones and the catchpolls belonging to the Puchiquē, who, together with the other officials and attendants of that minister, were awaiting us there. He took us to his house, where a sumptuous meal, in the Magh style, had been spread for us, comprising, besides the ordinary rational articles of food, others of a disgusting nature [65/2], such as rats, snakes, and the like. 1 For at these banquets fish and meat are set out simultaneously, cooked in many fashions, some hundreds of small dishes being placed on the table full of these comestibles, so that each guest can eat what he fancies. Bread they do not eat, its place being taken by rice, made into different kinds of cakes from rice flour.