CHAP. XIII. PROCESSION OF THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS. 365 



eastern side of the hill. JuJo-inor from the multitudes of 

 the people, and the general excitement, this must have been 

 quite a holida}'. 



The procession occupied full half a mile. There were a 

 dozen or more officers on horseback, and the horses, though 

 not well groomed, were strong and spirited. There were 

 fourteen palanquins, ornamented with variously coloured 

 drapery. In one of these, a beautiful youth, the son of the 

 Prince Ramboasalama, attracted my attention. When the 

 procession moved, eight or ten ofl&cers on horseback led the 

 way, and others rode by the side of the palanquins. Then 

 came the officers of the palace, in palanquins or on foot ; and 

 after these the prince's band of nineteen musicians, including 

 five clarionets, five flutes and fifes, one bassoon, four bugles, 

 a bass and a smaller drum, and a triangle. The musicians 

 were preceded and followed by two officers with drawn swords. 

 Then came the prince's palanquin, Avith three or four officers 

 walking on each side mth drawn swords. Next to the prince 

 came the princess, her palanquin covered wdth scarlet cloth, 

 ornamented with gold lace, and bordered with rich gold 

 fringe, like that used for officers' epaulets, and the iuside 

 lined with pink satin. By the side of the princess a man 

 carried a large umbrella of pink silk, surmounted with a gilt 

 ball ; and immediately behind her palanquin, a dozen or more 

 female slaves followed, clothed in broad-striped blue and 

 white cotton lambas. A daughter of Prince Ramonja, but 

 adopted by the princess, an interesting girl, about seventeen, 

 occupied the next palanquin. Three other palanquins fol- 

 lowed with the ladies in waiting, or attendants on the prin- 

 cess. After them a few officers, and then the crowd. 



The whole road from some distance before the horses in 

 front, to two or three himdred yards after the last palanquin, 

 was so crowded that it was difficult to proceed. The prince, 

 who wore a black coat with a silver star, had a broad silk band 



