343 
CHAP. XIII. 
Arrival of the Queen’s Officers. — Entry to the Capital. — Extent and Ap¬ 
pearance of Antananarivo. —Palace and chief Buildings. ■—Intricacy of the 
Roads. — Description of the House and Accommodation provided by the 
Queen. — Welcome on arriving. — Salubrity of the Climate. — Munificent 
Present from the Queen. — Visit from the Prince Royal. — His Person and 
Dress. — His Estimate of the English. — The Meaning of Protection. — In¬ 
ducements offered to him to become a Roman Catholic. — Prince Ramonja. 
— Message from the Queen. — Satisfaction of the Court with the Friendship 
of England. — Affecting Interview with the Family of a former Friend. — 
Presents from the Prince and Princess, and the chief Nobles. — Excursion 
with the Prince. — Native-built Stone Bridges. — The Silver Spear. — Pa¬ 
lace of Isoaierana. —Places of Execution. —Excursion with the Prince and 
Princess. — Procession and Music. —- Princess’s Figure, Dress, and Palan¬ 
quin. — Culture of the Vine. — Simple and primitive Homage of the Vil¬ 
lagers to their Rulers. — Inquiries of the Princess respecting the Royal 
Family of England. — Music. —• English National Anthem. — Dancing. — 
Military Encampments. — Request of a Slave. 
I had passed a restless night, feeling far from well, and not 
expecting to be summoned to the capital at an early hour, 
had told my attendant to prepare breakfast by nine o’clock. 
Soon after eight, however, on the morning of the 26th of 
August, 1856, Izaro came into my room to announce that 
three officers on horseback had arrived to conduct me to the 
capital. I sent him back to ask them to wait a short time; 
a request with which they politely complied, begging me, at 
the same time, not to put myself to any inconvenience. 
They also sent a message to the effect that they had orders 
to conduct me to the house appointed for my residence, 
where I was to rest myself, and the queen would let me 
know when she would see me. 
To enable me to face the keen sharp morning air, I put 
on extra woollen clothing; and, as soon as I was dressed, the 
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