382 VISITS TO MADAGASCAB. CHAP. XIV. I had mentioned, when conversing with the princess at Isoaierana, that I had some pieces of music with me, and in the course of the evening a messenger came from the palace to request that I would send them; also any more copies of the London Illustrated News which I might have by me; and I was glad to supply them, with such pieces of music as a kind friend, Mrs. Bartholomew, a lady not unknown in the musical world, had given me in London before my departure. I was afterwards told that a new piece of music was highly prized, and that the additions which my friends had enabled me to make to the music used at the palace had been par ticularly acceptable. The evening of this day I devoted to writing my journal, as far as the visits of friends would allow, but they came in such numbers as to occasion some anxiety to my companions. I had been invited by the French gentleman whom I met at the palace to breakfast with him on the following morning; and about nine o’clock one of the officers of the palace called to accompany me. He informed me that the queen and her court were pleased with the statement I had made on the previous day, adding, that all were delighted with the pieces of music I had sent, and that the queen had said she should some day send for me to hear the music, and see the dancing at the palace. On reaching the house of M. Laborde we found the prince and one of his aides-de-camp already there. I was also introduced to M. Hervier the French Homan Ca tholic priest, whom I had met at the palace the day before. Here I also met M. Laborde’s son, a young man about twenty, recently returned to Madagascar, after completing his educa tion in France. In a short time we sat down to a very sumptuous breakfast served in the first style; a small band of music playing outside the house during the time. Before commencing the breakfast the health of the queen was pro posed, and, when my glass was filled, I apologised for not
