A CANOE VOYAGE. 
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kindness of good people at home. It is hardly 
creditable to them, however, as there are so 
many poorer communities to whom the help 
which England now affords them would not 
only be acceptable, but more righteously given. 
When we consider the amount of labour and 
money expended upon the erection of the royal 
palaces and house of the prime minister, it seems 
strange that constant appeals should be made 
in England for means to build places of worship 
for these people. 
It is always customary in Madagascar to send 
a notice on before of the intended sojourn of a 
stranger, if only for a few hours, in a native town 
or village. This is not only done as a mark of 
respect to the mptansaina , or chief man, but also 
in order that the Queen's house — a place set 
apart for Government purposes in each town— 
may be got ready for the visitor, as the native 
theory is that every foreigner is the guest of the 
sovereign whilst in the country. Just before 
entering any place of importance, the bearers 
rest for a short time and gird themselves up for 
a sharp effort, and carry the visitor at a smart 
trot through the streets up to the door of the 
Government house at the foot of a tall staff, 
from which floats on Sundays and days of 
national importance the royal standard of the 
Queen of the Hovas, with her name and style, 
