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28 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. ciiAr. ii. covered with a white cloth on which refreshments were placed; and there were a number of chairs and native seats made of matting, like high square ottomans, in different parts of the room. Several women were occupied in one part of the room when we arrived, but they retired as soon as the chief entered. "When we were seated, the company resumed their inquiries respecting England, France, and America, stating that they had entered into commercial relations with traders from the latter country, one of whom was there at present, waiting for the arrival of his ship. While we were thus occupied, an officer with several atten dants entered the house. He was a tall stout man, between fifty and sixty years of age, with features resembling those of a South Sea Islander. On the upper part of his person he wore a fine figured shirt, with upright vandyck collar and wristbands of the same pattern, and, loosely thrown over this, a large and handsome silk scarf or lamba. The centre of the lamha consisted of broad stripes of purple, scarlet, pink, and yellow, edged with a border tastefully wrought in a kind of open-work exhibiting a curious pattern in yellow and scarlet silk. He had neither shoes nor stockings, but wore a blue cloth cap, the shade edged with silver, and the crown sur rounded by a broad band of gold lace. Two of his attendants carried swords, one like a heavy cavalry weapon, the other with a straight and smaller blade. Our friend the harbour master introduced him by name, as Eainibehevitra, ap parently meaning Father of Great Thoughts, thirteenth honour, second in command, and chief judge of Tamatave. He very frankly offered his hand, and when seated said he came from the governor to bid us welcome in his name, and to express his regret that lie could not see us at present. After a short general conversation respecting railroads, steam ships, the electric telegraph, and other things of which he had heard, he dismissed his attendants, and, sending all out