CHAP. IV. PLACE OF WORSHIP FOR THE MALAGASY. 91 



vacuum pans were in operation, by which means some thou- 

 sand pounds of sugar, finely crystallised and beautifully white, 

 were produced every day. On returning I found several of 

 the scholars who had been successful at the examination wait- 

 ing for the fulfilment of a promise I had made them on the 

 previous day, of taking their likenesses, and with some I suc- 

 ceeded, apparently much to their satisfaction. In my evening 

 walk I was much amused to see the various pursuits carried 

 on in different parts of the establishment, rendering it alto- 

 gether very much like a village. By the road side was a shop 

 kept by one of M. Cheron's relatives, in which clothing, 

 cutlery, crockeryware, and groceries were sold. There were 

 also, in other parts of the premises, a carpenter's shop, a 

 smith's, a wheelwright's, and a cooper's. Later in the even- 

 ing, my photographs and stereoscope seemed to afford the 

 different members of the family great entertainment, and 

 M. Cheron contributed much valuable information relative 

 to the former state of the neighbourhood. 



A few days after my return from Plaines Wilhelms, I ac- 

 companied M. Le Brnn to the opening of a new place for 

 religious instruction amongst the Malagasy residing in the 

 camp or suburb, along the foot of the signal hill. Many of 

 the former slaves in the island were natives of Madagascar, 

 or the descendants of such. A number of the Malagasy still 

 retain their native language, and to this number additions 

 are made of those who from time to time have reached the 

 colony in search of employment, and it was thought desirable 

 to provide a place in the midst of their own location in which 

 religious instruction might be given to the adults, in addition 

 to that already provided for their children. With this view 

 the building now appropriated to religious worship had been 

 provided. The services here on the Sabbath and week da3'S 

 are still continued. 



The day after the house for Malagasy worship was opened, 



