CHAP. XIV. THE FRIENDSHIP OF ENGLAND. 379 



This was interpreted, and there was an expression of satis- 

 faction from the whole court. The queen then turning to 

 the prince royal, her son, who sat next to her, and to Prince 

 Eamboasalama, her nephew, spoke ^vith animation, and at 

 some length. Her orator then said that the Queen of Mada- 

 gascar was satisfied to possess the friendship of the English; 

 that she wished to be the friend of her majesty Queen 

 Victoria and the English government ; and that she did not 

 wish to regard as enemies any (nation) across the seas, but 

 to be friendly with all, whether English, or French, or any 

 other nation. 



I then begged to thank the queen for the kindness and 

 hospitality I had received ever since my arrival, more especi- 

 ally during the journey, and from her majesty and the 

 officers since my arrival at the capital. The queen replied 

 that it was right the officers should treat me as a friend. 

 Soon after this, a number of the officers rose, and Eainjohary, 

 the chief minister, intimated that we might retire. We all 

 bowed to the queen, turned to the east, and bowed to the 

 tomb of Eadama, and proceeded towards the gate ; but, as 

 the band struck up the Malagasy " Grod save the Queen," we 

 halted, and took off our hats ; and, finally, at about half-past 

 four, left the palace through the same gate by which we had 

 entered. 



Such was my first interview with the Queen of Madagascar. 

 I believe the expression of satisfaction, with the assurance I 

 was able to give of the friendship of England, was general 

 and sincere. It confirmed the long-cherished prepossessions 

 of the people in favour of our country. And when it is 

 recollected that nearly twenty years had elapsed since any 

 Englishman had visited the capital, and that for nearly ten 

 years previous to my first visit in company with Mr. Cameron, 

 all amicable intercourse had been interrupted in consequeoce 

 of the unauthorised and unjustifiable attack on Tamatave by 



