270 
-The people of Madagascar never speak without commen- 
cing the conversation by invoking blessings on the King, 
Even in their lawsuits and their quarrels they always begin 
with him, and would take the omission of this ceremony very 
much amiss. The form of words, which may be thus trans- 
lated, * May King Radama live long, to a good old age, 
without sickness orother evil," begins and ends every harangue. 
A bargain made without this formality is frequently annulled, 
because the party who repents of the agreement may, by this 
means, escape the fulfilment of it, and the other person dares 
not complain. 
When the King goes out to walk, a numerous guard, mostly 
armed with guns and spears, and having little bells attached 
to their girdles, accompanied by a number of women and 
dancing-girls, follow him, without any regularity, wherever 
he goes. ; 
The King has generally twelve lawful wives, and with them 
as many concubines as he pleases. "These ladies are carried 
abroad on the backs of their male slaves, and form a most 
ludicrous and disgusting procession. | 
When the King of this country has any thing to proclaim, 
he sends couriers through all the provinces of his empire to 
give information that on such a day he will appear in public, 
to issue orders and regulate affairs. These assemblies are - 
called Khabars, an Arabic name, signifying news, or pleadings. 
The greater part of the male population are expected to be 
present; they collect first in a large plain north of the capi- 
tal, called Anduhalu, and long appropriated to these meetings 
It forms a kind of amphitheatre, and is sometimes quite 
covered with men sitting close together on the grass. In 
this fatiguing situation, exposed to the burning rays of the 
sun, they often wait for days together the arrival of the 
sovereign, in order to be informed of his latest intentions. 
When all the people have collected, the King, clothed in à 
red cloak, and sometimes an English uniform, proceeds thither 
from his palace, accompanied by all the officers of his court, 
his ministers, captains, his guard of Blacks, dancing-women, 
and several men who blow the Andziva, a kind of large shell, 
