418 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. CHAP. XV. at my departure. The prince said, God would preserve me from the fever, and take me in safety to my home; and the princess added, that my family would be glad I had not remained longer away. They asked to look at some portraits of members of my own family which I had with me, and at the engraving of my residence, which the prince told them he had seen, and said it looked like a pleasant home; the princess adding, that if I had had duplicates of some, she would have liked to retain a copy, but did not desire it, as I had only one. She asked much about English society, about Queen Victoria, — whether she travelled much from one part of the kingdom to another, or had many visitors in her palace; and what made the people of England so fond of her, as she had heard they were. I said the people of England looked upon their own gracious sovereign as the most illustrious example of all that was excellent and good in the relationships of life, as well as in the high position which she occupied as queen, and it was thus that she secured their loyalty and love. But the conver sation soon turned again upon the present and the future of their own country. They said that whatever reports might reach England, they hoped the English would never believe they were unfriendly, for they should never change — never forget that the king of England and the people of England had been their first and constant friends. They spoke of many things which they regretted in the existing state of their country; and expressed their earnest desires that the burdens of the people should be lightened, their condition improved, and the nation united and prosperous. I said it would be of great importance to all parties if the Sakalavas and others could, by just and equitable means, be brought to view the Hovas as their friends; and to consider union and identity with them, and participation in their advantages, as best for all; and thus cement their union as one great people