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380 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. CIIAP. XIV. the English frigate “Conway,” in conjunction with two French vessels; and, more especially, if we bear 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 be 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 Eabodo, 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