118 A NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 



space near the summit of the capital, called Andohalo, was 

 filled with many thousands of people from early morning. 

 Lines of native troops kept open lanes for the advance of the 

 queen's representative, generally the Prime Minister, who was 

 always attended by a number of officers in a variety of gorgeous 

 uniforms. At the eastern or highest portion of Andohalo a 

 place was kept open for the royal messengers, whose approach 

 was announced by the firing of cannon. Taking his stand so as 

 to be seen by the vast assembly, the Prime Minister would draw 

 his sword and commence the proceedings by turning towards 

 the palace and giving the word of command for a royal salute, 

 all the troops presenting arms, and all the cannon round the 

 upper portion of the city being fired. The next officer in rank 

 then took the word, and the troops all saluted the Prime Minister, 

 who stood bareheaded, acknowledging the respect due to his 

 high position. He then proceeded to give the royal message, or 

 read the new laws, often with a great deal of eloquence, for the 

 Malagasy are ready and clever speakers. At passages where 

 the national pride or patriotism was touched, much enthusiastic 

 response was often aroused, especially as each paragraph of the 

 speech was followed by a question : " Fa tsy izay, va, ry am- 

 bdnildnitra ? " ("For is it not so, ye ' under-the-heaven ' ? ") 

 These questions were replied to with shouts of " Izay ! " ("It 

 is so ! ") from the assembled multitude. But the greatest 

 pitch of loyal enthusiasm was generally evoked by the chiefs 

 of the different tribes, as they, one after another, replied to the 

 queen's message and gave assurances of obedience and loyalty. 

 Surrounded by a small group of their fellow-clansmen, they 

 would wind their Idmba round their waists, brandish a spear, 

 and at the conclusion of each part of their speech they also 

 demanded : " Fa tsy izay va ? " And sometimes the whole of 

 the people would leap to their feet, the officers waving their 

 swords, the soldiers tossing up their rifles, and the people 

 dancing about in a perfect frenzy of excitement. 



We noticed just now the signs of the ancient villages and 

 towns in the central province ; but something may be added 

 here as to the existing villages we see as we travel through it. 

 The ancient towns were, as we have seen, all built for safety 

 on the top of hills, and many of those now inhabited by the 

 people are still so situated, although in several districts the 



