After the delivery of the ambassadorial letters, the exhibition commenced, which had so long been the envy of the courtiers, and probably the conversation of the kingdom.  The presents were displayed.  A rich Brussels carpet, which completely covered the hall, Cashmere shawls, and embroidered Delhi scarfs of resplendent hues, excited universal admiration.  The finer specimens were handed to the king.  As the various presents succeeded, the delight increased.  A group of Chinese dancing figures, produced bursts of merriment; and when the European escort, in full uniform, with the sergeant at their head, marched into the hall, paced in front of the throne, and performed the manual and platoon exercises, amid ornamented clocks chiming, and musical boxes playing “God save the Queen,” his majesty appeared quite entranced.  “But many and bright were the smiles that lighted up the royal features, as three hundred muskets, with bayonets fixed, were piled in front of the royal footstool.  A buzz of mingled wonder and applause arose from the crowded courtiers; and the monarch’s satisfaction now filled to overflowing.  ‘God will reward you,’ he exclaimed—­’for I cannot!’”

But a more serious and a more striking display was still to follow.  The artillery were to exhibit their powers; and the crowd rushed out, and scattered over the hill to see its practice.  A sheet was attached to the opposite face of the ravine, the valley rang to the roar of the guns; and as the white cloth flew in shreds to the wind, under a rapid discharge of round shot, canister, and grape, amid the crumbling of the rock, and the rush of falling stones, shouts of admiration rang from hill to hill.  This eventful evening was closed by testimonies of the king’s satisfaction, in the shape of a huge pepper pie from the royal kitchen, with his commands that his children might feast; and a visit from the royal confessor, a dwarf enveloped in robes and turbans, and armed with silver cross and crosier.  Seating himself in a chair, he delivered a speech, which affords as good a specimen of court oratory as any thing that we remember; and also shows the powerful effect of the presents on the courtly sensibilities.  The speech was as follows:—­

“Forty years have rolled away since Asfa Woosen, on whose memory be peace! grandsire to our beloved monarch, saw in a dream that the red men were bringing into his kingdom, curious and beautiful commodities from countries beyond the great sea.  The astrologers, on being commanded to give an interpretation thereof, predicted with one accord, that foreigners from the land of Egypt would come into Abysinia during his majesty’s most illustrious reign; and that yet more and wealthier would follow in that of his son, and of his son’s son, who should sit next upon the throne.  Praise be unto God, that the dream and its interpretation have now been fulfilled!  Our eyes, though they be old, have never beheld wonders until this day; and