HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
99 
which passes it in a westerly direction. The raised ground 
is well supported by means of a neat and strong stone 
wall, of native construction. The palisadoes are placed 
about six feet from the edge of this stone coping: they 
are about eighteen or twenty feet in height, firmly driven 
into the earth: those around the northern division are 
united by cross-beams placed on the top, into which large 
spears, painted yellow in imitation of gold, are driven with 
their points upwards. 
To the Anaty Rova there are two public entrances; 
one through the palace, and another from the west. There 
are also two private entrances; one from the east, and 
another, not frequently used, from the north-east, allowing 
no admission whatever for strangers. The northern en¬ 
trance to the palace is finished with the greatest care. 
A flight of twelve stone steps leads to the door, and on 
each side is placed a sentry-box for the guards, who are 
on duty day and night. The door is surmounted by a 
large plate of glass, and various ornaments, more showy 
than any pretensions to good taste would allow. 
The northern division contains, as before remarked, the 
Silver House: this was erected about ten years ago, under 
the immediate superintendence of Radama, and was al¬ 
ways selected as his residence when at the capital. It 
derives its name from the circumstance of the bardeaux 
of the roof, the gable-ends, ceilings, door-posts, &c. being 
ornamented with silver nails and studs. Its dimensions are 
small—twenty feet by twenty-four. The apartment on 
the ground-floor is used as a store-room; and the upper 
part of the building, which consists of two small rooms, 
was occupied by Radama. It was furnished in the Euro¬ 
pean style, and improved by the modern addition of a 
veranda and a flight of steps. 
h 2 
