134 
MADAGASCAR. 
aside in the general desire to live in harmony 
and good-fellowship, which happily prevails in 
the European colony. 
The population of Antananarivo is estimated 
at about 90,000 people. The court and royal 
palaces are near the centre of the city, and are 
surrounded by the houses of the chief officers of 
the sovereign. AYithin the courtyard is the royal 
chapel, a new building of good style, with clock- 
tower, organ, stained glass, and beautiful carving. 
Near this are the tombs of deceased monarchs. 
The state residences are themselves buildings of 
large size, and at an angle of the largest—Man- 
jakamiadana—is a square tower with a fine clock 
and bells. Over the roof, with outstretched 
wings, is an enormous eagle, the crest of the 
reigning family, of copper gilt; and a similar 
figure adorns the chief gateway or entrance to 
the rova. From the balcony of the great palace 
the Queen grants audiences to her subjects, and 
it was here that she sat to witness the review of 
her troops during our stay in the capital. The 
palace is constructed of wood, and painted white, 
but showing signs of decay. It was some years 
ago encased in stone, and it now presents a very 
massive and substantial appearance, being sur¬ 
rounded by stone arcades of classic design, with 
a row of columns for the upper stories. Its 
height is about one hundred and twenty feet, the 
