46 VISITS TO MADAGASCAK chap. ii. 



which he required a receipt. He also gave us the replies to 

 our own communications. Having formally delivered the 

 letters, the judge and officers retired, and shortly afterwards 

 we proceeded to the beach where Mr. Cameron read the letters 

 from the government. They were courteous and kindly ex- 

 pressed, but stated that there was much public business of 

 the queen's on hand which required considerable time to 

 finish, and recommended us to return across the water lest we 

 should be overtaken with sickness.* 



There was in this answer no direct refusal of permission, 

 but a declaration that the parties were much occupied, and a 

 recommendation to us to leave the island. We could not but 

 feel regret at being obliged to return without visiting the 

 capital and remaining longer amongst the people; but no 

 alternative was left, and, desiring to acquiesce in what ap- 

 peared to be the intimation of the Divine will, we prepared 

 for our departure. Our friends did not seem disappointed, 

 but regarded the replies as more friendly, and even more 

 favourable to our object, than they had expected, considering 

 that the edict forbidding all intercourse with foreigners was 

 still in force, the indemnity or compensation required by the 

 queen not having yet been paid. In the opinion of some of 

 our friends, more good might result from our visit to the 

 coast than if, at that particular time, we had gone to the 

 capital. 



Two days afterwards M. De Lastelle invited us again to a 

 breakfast, which was truly sumptuous. We had much con- 

 versation relative to the fever and other diseases to which the 

 natives are subject, and the medical properties of many of 

 their plants. Mr. Cameron and I had shown the natives 

 some photographic pictures which we had taken, and several 

 of the officers looking at some we had with us on that occa- 



* The Malagasy fever, so prevalent, and often fatal, on the coast at certain 

 seasons of the year. 



