424 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. chap, xv, 



the ordering of the journey then said it would be better to 

 go on to Betafo, perhaps five miles further, and then halt for 

 the night. The prince then ordered the band to play the 

 English " Grod save the Queen," during which all took off 

 their hats. He now took leave of me with dignity and 

 feeling, as did also the nobles and their companions, com- 

 mending me to the protection of Grod. Then, having accom- 

 panied me to my palanquin and told the chief of his band 

 to go with me to the place where I should halt for the night, 

 the prince and his companions entered their palanquins. 

 The aides-de-camp, five or six in number, mounted their 

 horses and returned to theTapital, while I pursued my way 

 to Betafo, where I found all my packages had already arrived. 

 Here the band took their leave. I made the leader a small 

 present, and they returned ; while I prepared for the first 

 night's lodging on my homeward road. 



Thus ended my visit to the capital of Madagascar and my 

 intercourse with its people. I have described the incidents 

 of my visit somewhat minutely, as the best means of con- 

 veying a distinct impression of the circumstances of the people, 

 especially the Hovas, and their state of civilisation. Great is 

 the interest felt in Madagascar by all classes, though we have 

 had little or no direct intercourse with the people for the 

 last twenty years. The events which during that period have 

 transpired there, have given to our interest in that country 

 and people an intense and undying character, as connected 

 with the holy fortitude and calm endurance of those who 

 have, during that period, suffered there affliction, spoliation, 

 slavery, imprisonment, chains, and death for the name of 

 Christ. 



In reference to the religion of the present, reasons which 

 are obvious require silence. No one would wish to implicate 

 the living in the calamities that were endured by the dead. 

 The laws against the Christian religion are not repealed ; and 



