404 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. chap. xv. 



down with me to my frugal breakfast, at which nothing ap- 

 peared more palatable to my guests than some slices of 

 English ham. Our meal being concluded, we had a long and 

 grave conversation, in the course of which the approaching 

 termination of the period to which my visit was to extend 

 was adverted to, and, as it seemed desirable that my stay 

 should be prolonged through the bad season, I wrote a letter 

 to the queen, stating my apprehension of the fever in the 

 lower country, the healthy season being now past, and asking, 

 on that account, permission to prolong my visit to nine 

 months, viz., until the good season of the following year. 

 During the forenoon my guests left me, and, according to 

 their suggestions, I afterwards sent my letter to the prince, as 

 they said this was a lucky day. About an hour afterwards 

 some officers came from the jDalace to say that the queen had 

 received my letter, and that she thought the time she had 

 mentioned was sufficient for a visit ; and appeared to wish to 

 know whether I had any other objects or reasons for desiring 

 to prolong my stay. I assigned no other reason than the un- 

 healthiness of the season and the danger of fever, and the 

 officers departed. In little more than an hour they returned, 

 and stated that the queen desired them to say she was much 

 pleased with my visit, and with the message I had brought, 

 and that as the time fixed for the duration of my visit had 

 nearly expired it was best that I should return as near that time 

 as I could arrange my packages. The officers asked if eight 

 days would be sufficient. They then presented me with a 

 number of beautiful silk and other lambas from the queen, 

 and also from the prince and princess ; and said the queen 

 would provide bearers for my palanquin, and also for my pack- 

 ages, when I was ready ; and that orders would be sent to the 

 governor of Tamatave to give me ten oxen as a present from 

 the queen to myself, and twenty oxen as a present to the 

 governor of Mauritius. I then begged to thank her ma- 



