380 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. chap. xiv. 



the English frigate "Conway,'" in conjunction with two 

 French vessels ; and, more especially, if we bear in mind 

 the reports which, during that interval, had been circulated 

 in the island, to the effect that a hostile fleet from England 

 was coming against Madagascar, we shall not be surprised at 

 the cordial welcome with which the message I had delivered 

 was received. 



The account of my presentation to the queen would, how- 

 ever, be incomplete without some slight notice of the palace 

 and its occupants. The palace called the Silver House is an 

 astonishing building. Few countries could furnish spars such 

 as those which form the angles of this wonderful structure. 

 It is entirely of wood, and is spacious, lofty, and light, as well 

 as strong, and well put together ; parallelogram in plan, and 

 seemingly a hundred feet long ; fifty or sixty feet wide, and 

 seventy feet high. The walls are two stories high, and the 

 whole building surrounded by a double verandah. The roof, 

 which is of shingles, is steep, with three tiers of attic windows 

 in the ends and sides. The centre of the roof is surmounted 

 by a large gilt bird with outstretched wings. I suppose the 

 voromahery, — literally, bird of power, — a species of Vulture, 

 and the crest or emblem of the Hovas. The large court at 

 the northern end of the palace is inclosed by a stone wall, and 

 the gate is in the northern side of the square. The building 

 is not painted ; but the wood appeared to be close grained 

 and durable. 



The queen and court were assembled in the upper verandah 

 or balcony. Her majesty occupied the central place, her seat 

 being raised above the rest, and covered with green damask. 

 Her niece, the Princess Eabodo, and the female members of 

 the court, sat on her right hand ; her son, next to her, on the 

 left ; then her nephew, the other members of her family, and 

 the chief officers of the government. A large scarlet silk 

 umbrella, embroidered and fringed with gold, was held or 



