370 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. 
CHAP. XIII. 
the court ladies, a richly-dressed and portly dame. I was 
pleased with a fine palmyra-tree, and some good specimens 
of rare indigenous plants, and said Madagascar was rich in 
curious and valuable vegetable productions. My companion 
did not understand English, and I expressed my regret that I 
did not speak Malagasy. Some of the company remarked 
that it was very difficult to speak English; and on my con¬ 
gratulating the prince on his attainments, and urging him to 
persevere, that in the event of his ever visiting England, he 
might be able to converse with those he would meet with, 
the princess laughed heartily at the idea of his visiting Eng¬ 
land. He said he understood much of what I said, as he re¬ 
membered the meaning of words when he heard them, though 
he could not recollect the words when he wanted to speak. 
They then again referred to the rumours of a hostile expedi¬ 
tion from France, and asked if I knew anything about it. I 
said I did not think it likely, as the Emperor of the French 
was regarded as a just and equitable sovereign, and the En¬ 
glish and French were very friendly. 
We now returned to the house, where I was again directed 
to a seat by the side of the officer who spoke English, and 
sat next to the princess. I noticed that both the prince and 
princess carried a small gold cylindrical snuff-box, having the 
stopper or lid attached by a small gold chain. The first 
officer had a very handsome silver snuff-box, studded with 
precious stones. 
Dancing now commenced. Four of the prince’s aides-de- 
camp led out the daughter of Prince Eamonja and the three 
court ladies. The princess more than once asked what I 
thought of their dancing. I replied that they appeared to 
dance with ease. Many questions were put respecting the 
kind of dances which Queen Victoria had in her palace, of 
which I was compelled to acknowledge my ignorance. They 
asked, as I had been in France and Italy, which music was 
