28 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. chap. ii. 



covered with a white cloth on which refreshments were placed ; 

 and there were a number of chairs and native seats made of 

 matting, like high square ottomans, in different parts of the 

 room. Several women were occupied in one part of the room 

 when we arrived, hut they retired as soon as the chief entered. 



Wlien we were seated, the company resumed their inquiries 

 respecting England, France, and America, stating that they 

 had entered into commercial relations with traders from the 

 latter country, one of whom was there at present, waiting for 

 the arrival of his ship. 



"Wliile we were thus occupied, an officer with several atten- 

 dants entered the house. He was a tall stout man, between 

 fifty and sixty years of age, with features resembling those of 

 a South Sea Islander. On the upper part of his person he 

 wore a fine figured shirt, with upright vandyck collar and 

 wristbands of the same pattern, and, loosely thrown over this, 

 a large and handsome silk scarf or lamba. The centre of the 

 lamba consisted of broad stripes of purple, scarlet, pink, and 

 yellow, edged with a border tastefully wrought in a kind of 

 open-work exhibiting a curious pattern in yellow and scarlet 

 silk. He had neither shoes nor stockings, but wore a blue 

 cloth cap, the shade edged with silver, and the crown sur- 

 rounded by a broad band of gold lace. Two of his attendants 

 carried swords, one like a heavy cavalry weapon, the other 

 with a straight and smaller blade. Our friend the harbour 

 master introduced him by name, as Kainibehevitra, ap- 

 parently meaning Father of GTreat Thoughts, thirteenth 

 honour, second in command, and chief judge of Tamatave. 

 He very frankly offered his hand, and when seated said he 

 came from the governor to bid us welcome in his name, and 

 to express his regret that he could not see us at present. 

 After a short general conversation respecting railroads, steam- 

 ships, the electric telegraph, and other things of which he 

 had heard, he dismissed his attendants, and, sending all out 



