130 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. 
CHAl'. V. 
house of the son of the chief judge, as being central and con¬ 
venient. At the time appointed the chief judge and other 
officers of the government, borne in palanquins and attended 
by a guard of honour and a native band, arrived at the place 
of meeting. At half-past five the residents were summoned 
to the banquet. Two lines of soldiers wearing a folded white 
cloth round the loins and white belts across their naked 
shoulders, and armed with a musket or spear, lined the 
avenue of trees leading to the house. As we entered the court¬ 
yard the band, which consisted chiefly of drums and clarionets, 
began to play, and when we reached the door the second 
officer in command, the governor’s representative on this 
occasion and designated a marshal, came out to meet us 
accompanied by the other officers, by all of whom we were 
cordially welcomed. 
While we were waiting I found sufficient to interest me in 
observing the singular variety amongst the uniforms of the 
officers. They seemed as if they might have belonged to the 
different services of various nations. I did not however notice 
any naval uniform; the greater part were English or scarlet. 
On the buttons of one of the coats I observed the American 
eagle and shield. Uniforms appeared to be held in high 
estimation, for on another occasion I was informed that an 
officer of the place had given a hundred oxen for his suit. 
One of the officers present wore a rich green velvet coat 
thickly ornamented with gold lace, and a large aiguillette of 
gold cord on the shoulders. All the chief officers had gold 
epaulets and cocked hats with feathers. 
On proceeding to the dinner table the places of the guests 
were indicated by their names being written on pieces of 
paper and placed on the table napkins; and I soon found 
myself seated between the lady of the house, the wife of the 
judge’s son, and the marshal. Next to him was an officer 
who spoke English, though but imperfectly. The officer in 
