CHAP. XV. AITLICATIONS FOR TORTIIAITS. 415 



stay would Lave been agreeable to them, if on other accovints 

 it had been desired. 



Adverting, in the coui'se of conversation, to the rumour 

 of an expected attack from a hostile fleet having been re- 

 cently brought from the coast, the princess remarked, " We 

 are not insurgents, we are not usurpers ; we are the de- 

 scendants of the ancient inhabitants of the country. Why 

 should we not be left in peace ? " I again said I hoped 

 and believed that time would show all these reports to have 

 been unfounded, and that foreign ships would only come as 

 friendly visitors for puiposes of commerce, which would 

 promote the prosperity of the country. 



We conversed long and freely on subjects corresponding 

 with those on which I had talked with the prince the day 

 before; and we should probably have continued some time 

 longer, had not one of the officers, who had come in a richly 

 embroidered uniform, expressed a wish that I should take 

 his likeness. The prince and princess, with their attendants, 

 left about noon ; and I afterwards tried to gi-atify the officer, 

 but only obtained a bad and burnt impression. As it was use- 

 less to try again, he left about one o'clock. I then spent an 

 hour or two with my friends, and, later in the afternoon, 

 obtained a likeness of one of them. The prince afterwards 

 came, with two ladies of the court, to have their likenesses 

 taken ; but the day was too far gone. A note soon after- 

 wards came from the palace, to say that two of the special 

 friends of the princess wished to have their likenesses, and 

 would come in the morning. 



A number of my friends came in the evening, and we con- 

 versed long and earnestly on the prospects of Madagascar. I 

 was able to give them correct information on matters with 

 which it was of the utmost importance for them to be ac- 

 quainted, and to offer suggestions and advice which I could 

 not but hope would prove beneficial to them all. It was after 



