136 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. chap. v. 



thought appeared rather doubtful as to the ultimate issue. 

 A day or two afterwards I printed off some positive proofs on 

 paper ; and when these were fixed and shown to them they 

 were equally astonished and delighted. Many ran to fetch 

 their relatives and friends to come and see the likenesses taken 

 by the sun ; and long and earnest were the comments and 

 questionings about how it could be done. One man said it 

 was zanaliary, — a word they sometimes use for Grod, by which 

 they probably meant wonderful or supernatural. 



After this, few days passed in which persons did not come, 

 often in companies, from the neighbourhood, to see the like- 

 nesses taken or to ask for their own; and, so far as my 

 chemicals would allow, I was willing to gratify them, as it 

 gave them pleasure and afforded me opportunities for inter- 

 course with many to whom I might not otherwise so easily 

 have gained access. By this means I had long and interest- 

 ing conversations Avith the chiefs residing in the place, as 

 well as with strangers from a distance, including a number 

 belonging to the capital. In this manner, also, I obtained 

 correct likenesses of a considerable number of the people of 

 all classes, from the aide-de-camp of the governor to the 

 slave who came for water to the fountain in the yard. I met 

 with difficulties in the process similar to those I had ex- 

 perienced in Mauritius, arising from the state of the atmo- 

 sphere and the quality of the light, so different to that in 

 England ; and also, I believe, from the deterioration or 

 original impurity of some of my chemicals. When the like- 

 nesses were taken, frames were in great demand ; and some 

 brought large pieces of glass to be cut to the proper dimen- 

 sions ; others proposed rubbing the quicksilver from the 

 back of looking-glasses ; but most were satisfied with having 

 the likeness mounted on a sheet of white paper. 



Besides the collodion portraits, I obtained a number of 

 interesting views of natural objects and scenery with wax 



