343 



CHAP. XIII. 



Arrival of the Queen's Officers. — Entry to the Capital. — Extent and Ap- 

 pearance of Antananarivo. — Palace and chief Buildings. — Intricacy of the 

 Roads. — Description of the House and Accommodation provided by the 

 Queen, — "Welcome on arriving. — Salubrity of the Climate. — Munificent 

 Present from the Queen. — Visit from the Prince Eoyal. — His Person and 

 Dress. — His Estimate of the English. — The Meaning of Protection, — In- 

 ducements offered to him to become a Roman Catholic. — Prince Ramonja. 

 — Message from the Queen. — Satisfaction of the Court with the Friendship 

 of England. — Affecting Interview with the Family of a former Friend. — 

 Presents from the Prince and Princess, and the chief Nobles. — Excursion 

 with the Prince. — Native-built Stone Bridges. — The Silver Spear. — Pa- 

 lace of Isoaierana, — Places of Execution. — Excursion with the Prince and 

 Princess. — Procession and Music. — Princess's Figure, Dress, and Palan- 

 quin. — Culture of the Vine. — Simple and primitive Homage of the Vil- 

 lagers to their Rulers. — Inquiries of the Princess respecting the Royal 

 Family of England. — Music. — Enghsh National Anthem. — Dancing. — 

 Military Encampments. — Request of a Slave. 



I HAD passed a restless nighty feeling far from well, and not 

 expecting to be summoned to tlie capital at an early hour, 

 had told my attendant to prepare breakfast by nine o'clock. 

 Soon after eight, however, on the morning of the 26th of 

 August, 1856, Izaro came into my room to announce that 

 three officers on horseback had arrived to conduct me to the 

 capital. I sent him back to ask them to wait a short time ; 

 a request with which they politely complied, begging me, at 

 the same time, not to put myself to any inconvenience. 

 They also sent a message to the effect that they had orders 

 to conduct me to the house appointed for my residence, 

 where I was to rest myself, and the queen would let me 

 know when she would see me. 



To enable me to face the keen shai-p morning air, I put 

 on extra woollen clothing ; and, as soon as I was dressed, the 



Z 4 



