193 MALAGASY ORATORY. 



proaclied, aud tlie new laws and regulations are announced, 

 the whole speech often occupying an hour or more in delivery. 

 At the conclusion of each important paragraph the question 

 is put in a loud voice, Fa tsy izky va, ry mnhdnildnitra ? 

 " For is it not so, ye people ? " (or, " Ye under the heaven)," 

 that is, " Do you not agree to my wishes ? " To which there 

 is a united shout of Izay ! " So," in a sharp quick burst of 

 sound which is very exciting. 



At the conclusion of the message the Prime Minister 

 resumes his seat, and then, after a slight pause, the represen- 

 tatives of the difTerent classes of the people, the clans of 

 nobles, the heads of the various tribes, far and distant, the 

 officers of the army, the native-born Arabs and the Europeans, 

 commence replying to the royal communication. The prece- 

 dence of all these is strictly followed ; and when replying 

 three persons at least of each class advance a little into the 

 open space, and after saluting the Queen and repeating a 

 number of the usual complimentary jjhrases, they express in 

 vague and general terms their assent to the words they have 

 heard, and, mctnonie tohy, give assurance of fidelity and loyalty, 

 presenting at the same time the hiisina or silver dollar. On 

 some occasions, when popular feeling has been aroused, these 

 speeches in reply are more lengthy, the orator turning to face 

 his companions at the end of his rounded periods, and de- 

 manding in a loud voice in the usual Fa tsy iziiy vd ? to which 

 the assenting shouts of Izay ! are again given in reply. Occa- 

 sionally the speaker will throw off the lamba or outer dress 

 from his shoulders, girding up his loins, or sometimes throwing 

 his Rmba on the ground, seize a spear and shield, and with 

 immense energy and violent gesticulation leap about, bran- 

 dishing his weapons with fury against an imaginary enemy of 

 the Queen ; while his auditors will become so excited as his 

 oratory continues, that at last they will leap to their feet in 

 an enthusiasm of loyal zeal, waving swords and spears amid 

 shouts of Izay ! Izay ! I remember seeing the Snider rifles 

 also thrown up in the air by the soldiers and dexterously 

 caught again, and even an Armstrong cannon lifted up bodily 

 with its carriage and carried about in a fashion that would 

 have astonished a European officer of artillery. 



