404 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. 
ciiAr. xv. 
down with me to my frugal breakfast, at which nothing ap¬ 
peared more palatable to my guests than some slices of 
English ham. Our meal being concluded, we had a long and 
grave conversation, in the course of which the approaching 
termination of the period to which my visit was to extend 
was adverted to, and, as it seemed desirable that my stay 
should be prolonged through the bad season, I wrote a letter 
to the queen, stating my apprehension of the fever in the 
lower country, the healthy season being now past, and asking, 
on that account, permission to prolong my visit to nine 
months, viz., until the good season of the following year. 
During the forenoon my guests left me, and, according to 
their suggestions, I afterwards sent my letter to the prince, as 
they said this was a lucky day. About an hour afterwards 
some officers came from the palace to say that the queen had 
received my letter, and that she thought the time she had 
mentioned was sufficient for a visit; and appeared to wish to 
know whether I had any other objects or reasons for desiring 
to prolong my stay. I assigned no other reason than the un¬ 
healthiness of the season and the danger of fever, and the 
officers departed. In little more than an hour they returned, 
and stated that the queen desired them to say she was much 
pleased with my visit, and with the message I had brought, 
and that as the time fixed for the duration of my visit had 
nearly expired it was best that I should return as near that time 
as I could arrange my packages. The officers asked if eight 
days would be sufficient. They then presented me with a 
number of beautiful silk and other lambas from the queen, 
and also from the prince and princess ; and said the queen 
would provide bearers for my palanquin, and also for my pack¬ 
ages, when I was ready; and that orders would be sent to the 
governor of Tamatave to give me ten oxen as a present from 
the queen to myself, and twenty oxen as a present to the 
governor of Mauritius. I then begged to thank her ma- 
