CHAP. XIV. 
THE FRIENDSHIP OF ENGLAND. 
379 
This was interpreted, and there was an expression of satis¬ 
faction from the whole court. The queen then turning to 
the prince royal, her son, who sat next to her, and to Prince 
Kamboasalama, her nephew, spoke with animation, and at 
some length. Her orator then said that the Queen of Mada¬ 
gascar was satisfied to possess the friendship of the English; 
that she wished to be the friend of her majesty Queen 
Victoria and the English government; and that she did not 
wish to regard as enemies any (nation) across the seas, but 
to be friendly with all, whether English, or French, or any 
other nation. 
I then begged to thank the queen for the kindness and 
hospitality I had received ever since my arrival, more especi¬ 
ally during the journey, and from her majesty and the 
officers since my arrival at the capital. The queen replied 
that it was right the officers should treat me as a friend. 
Soon after this, a number of the officers rose, and Kainjohary, 
the chief minister, intimated that we might retire. We all 
bowed to the queen, turned to the east, and bowed to the 
tomb of Kadama, and proceeded towards the gate; but, as 
the band struck up the Malagasy ce Grod save the Queen,” we 
halted, and took off our hats; and, finally, at about half-past 
four, left the palace through the same gate by which we had 
entered. 
Such was my first interview with the Queen of Madagascar. 
I believe the expression of satisfaction, with the assurance I 
was able to give of the friendship of England, was general 
and sincere. It confirmed the long-cherished prepossessions 
of the people in favour of our country. And when it is 
recollected that nearly twenty years had elapsed since any 
Englishman had visited the capital, and that for nearly ten 
years previous to my first visit in company with Mr. Cameron, 
all amicable intercourse had been interrupted in consequence 
of the unauthorised and unjustifiable attack on Tamatave by 
