Lot Essay
The two panoramic format views show the towns of Faravohitra (from Antaninarenina) and Analakely. Other views are of Antananarivo with the Queen's palace from the east; rice fields of the Betsimitatra plain; Ambohimanga and the Queen's summer palace; and the entrance to the village of Ambohimanga. Other subjects are: a house at Tamatave with the occupants standing or seated on the verandah (1853); a large outdoor group to whom two men are preaching at the site of the first memorial church; a large crowd at Antsahatsiroa; and a group portrait of the family with whom Ellis lodged from 1862-65, taken in the garden by the western verandah of their house at Antsahatsiroa. It was on the southern end of this verandah that Ellis took most of his portraits during this visit. The large crowd scene is taken looking south from Ellis's house towards Rova or the Queen's palace and including other royal palaces. The people are probably awaiting a message to be brought by a high officer of the Queen announcing some measure of state policy or the execution of some judicial process.