KIHIKIHI. Lecture by Captain Speedy.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2127, 25 February 1886, Page 3

KIHIKIHI. Lecture by Captain Speedy.

Captain SpKKm lectured here on Monday evening to a very full house, people from all parts of the district being present. In • opening the lecture he gave some amusing instances of hi.s first experience in Abys sini.i. The first night he spent in a natne house lie met nith an amusing experience. Food was brought, and in one dish he saw a condiment which he took to be tomato sauce from its red colour. Some bread was put in it by an attendant, and ho > took a mouthful (if it, when, to his surprise and pain, he found it was cayenne pepper instead of tomato .sauce. Politeness forbade him to do otherwise than swallow it, and this he had to do in spite of the pain. The host then, to show his regard for the visitor, prepared some rolls of the bread soaked in this red pepper delicacy, and wanted to feed his guest, but the latter, by a little judicious strategy, managed to lune the honour transferred to his guide. In such a short lecture only a very biief reference to the manners, customs, and religion of the people could be given, but sufficient about them was -aid to keep up the interest of the audience. After desciibing his first meeting with King Theodore, and the extreme difficulty he expeiienced in getting away from the King, who wished him to enter his service, Captain Speedy retired for a few minutes and returned dressed in the costume of an Abyssinian priest, which consisted of a high white tniban, loose trousers, and a red lobe with a white border. On the robe were several crosses embroidered in gold. He carried a crucifix and a prayer book, and chanted in the Aby»smian tongue a Psalm in the same manner as the priests. After a brief reference to the religious ceremonies and beliefs, he changed his costume for that of a citizen, giving a biief outline of the customs, manners and jurisprudence of the country. He then changed again for the dress of a noble. He wore the royal robes presented to him by King John when he was theio the year before last in company with Admiral Sir William Hewitt, on a diplomatic mission. He woie the collar of black panther skin which is so rare, and only worn by nobles and royalty, the sword of a noble and canied the shield, which was highly ornamented. The last impersonation w.is that of an infantry soldier, when ' the customs observed in the army, and their mode of fighting, were explained, the whole winding up with an Abyssinian war song. Many of the passages were most amusing, and excited the miith of the audience. Mr Kibloy's band being in attendance, the room was cleared, and dancing kept up till about 12, when all went home. — (Ow.i Cm respondent).