380 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. 
CHAP. XIV. 
the English frigate “ Conway,” in conjunction with two 
French vessels; and, more especially, if we hear in mind 
the reports which, during that interval, had been circulated 
in the island, to the effect that a hostile fleet from England 
was coming against Madagascar, we shall not he surprised at 
the cordial welcome with which the message I had delivered 
was received. 
The account of my presentation to the queen would, how¬ 
ever, he incomplete without some slight notice of the palace 
and its occupants. The palace called the Silver House is an 
astonishing building. Few countries could furnish spars such 
as those which form the angles of this wonderful structure. 
It is entirely of wood, and is spacious, lofty, and light, as well 
as strong, and well put together; parallelogram in plan, and 
seemingly a hundred feet long; fifty or sixty feet wide, and 
seventy feet high. The walls are two stories high, and the 
whole building surrounded by a double verandah. The roof, 
which is of shingles, is steep, with three tiers of attic windows 
in the ends and sides. The centre of the roof is surmounted 
by a large gilt bird with outstretched wings. I suppose the 
voromahery,—literally, bird of power ,— a species of Vulture, 
and the crest or emblem of the Hovas. The large court at 
the northern end of the palace is inclosed by a stone wall, and 
the gate is in the northern side of the square. The building 
is not painted; but the wood appeared to be close grained 
and durable. 
The queen and court were assembled in the upper verandah 
or balcony. Her majesty occupied the central place, her seat 
being raised above the rest, and covered with green damask. 
Her niece, the Princess Rabodo, and the female members of 
the court, sat on her right hand; her son, next to her, on the 
left; then her nephew, the other members of her family, and 
the chief officers of the government. A large scarlet silk 
umbrella, embroidered and fringed with gold, was held or 
