BARMECIDE'S FEAST, a phrase originating most probably in the story of the barber's sixth brother, recorded in the Arabian.2Vi:q i Arabian hts, and abridged in the Guardian, No. 162. The substance of the story is as follows: One Schacabac being in great want, and not having tasted food for two days. 'ventured to visit a rich Barmecide noted bothfor his hospitality and eccentric humor, in the hope of generous entertain ment. The Barmecide, on learning his condition, invited him to dinner. Scliacabae was presented with an empty plate, requested to " make himself at home," and by and by, asked "how he liked his rice-soup." It was apparently' a cruel jest to play off on a starving man. Schacabac, nevertheless, feigned to enter into the humor of his host, and expressed his conviction that the rice-soup was delicious. The Barmecide continu ing the imposition. next asked his victim if he ever saw whiter bread. Poor Schaeabae, who saw neither bread nor meat, nor indeed anything eatable, made a prodigious effort to look happy; he even went the length of gently remonstrating with his host for not supposing him completely satisfied. In this way a magnificent but fictitious dinner was
disposed of. When wine, however, was produced, Schacabac pretended only to taste it on the ground that he was "quarrelsome in his liquor," and might do his host an injury. The Barmecide forced him, however, and at last Schacabac, who was really in a most excusable rage at being so elaborately- tantalized, feigned to have got flustered, and gave eccentric old gentleman "a good box on the car," This put a stop to the joke. The 13armecide was mightily pleased with the patient humor of his guest, a visi ble dinner was immediately up, and Schacabac now enjoyed in reality what he had previously partaken Of only in imagination.