j370 VISITS TO jMADAGASCAH. chap. xiii. 



the court ladies, a richly-dressed and portly dame. I was 

 pleased with a fine palmyra-tree, and some good specimens 

 of rare indigenous plants, and said Madagascar was rich in 

 curious and valuable vegetable productions. My companion 

 did not understand English, and I expressed my regret that I 

 did not speak Malagasy. Some of the company remarked 

 that it was very difficult to speak English ; and on my con- 

 gratulating the prince on his attainments, and urging him to 

 persevere, that in the event of his ever visiting England, he 

 might be able to converse with those he would meet with, 

 the princess laughed heartily at the idea of his visiting Eng- 

 land. He said he understood much of what I said, as he re- 

 membered the meaning of words when he heard them, though 

 he could not recollect the words when he wanted to speak. 

 They then again referred to the rumours of a hostile expedi- 

 tion from France, and asked if I knew anything about it. I 

 said I did not think it likely, as the Emperor of the French 

 was regarded as a just and equitable sovereign, and the Eng- 

 lish and French were very friendly. 



We now returned to the house, where I was again directed 

 to a seat by the side of the officer who spoke English, and 

 sat next to the princess. I noticed that both the prince and 

 princess carried a small gold cylindrical snuff-box, having the 

 stopper or lid attached by a small gold chain. The first 

 officer had a very handsome silver snuff-box, studded with 

 precious stoneg. 



Dancing now commenced. Four of the prince's aides-de- 

 camp led out the daughter of Prince Eamonja and the three 

 court ladies. The princess more than once asked what I 

 thought of their dancing. I replied that they appeared to 

 dance mth ease. Many questions were put respecting the 

 kind of dances which Queen Victoria had in her palace, of 

 which I was compelled to acknowledge my ignorance. They 

 asked, as I had been in France and Italy, which music was 



