470 APPENDIX. 



Without extending these remarks, which are only intended 

 to convey a general notice of some of the peculiarities of the 

 language, it may be observed that the natives generally speak 

 their own language correctly ; that public speaking is frequently 

 practised, and good speaking highly appreciated. The proceed- 

 ings of the government are announced in public meetings, or 

 national assemblies. Courts of justice are always open, and 

 suitors plead their own causes. No native literature yet exists ; 

 but songs and proverbs are numerous, the latter often sententious, 

 pointed, and forcible. The missionaries appear to have found no 

 difficulty in expressing any ideas they wished to convey to the 

 minds of the people. The subjoined translation of the Lord's 

 Prayer into Malagasy will give some idea of the structure of the 

 language. 



Rainay Izay any an-danitra, Hasino ny anaranao. Ampandrosoy ny 

 fanjakanao. Atavj^ ny sitrapo-nao aty an-tany, tahaky ny any an-danitra. 

 Omeo anay anio izay hanina sahaza ho anay. Ary mamela ny trosanay, 

 tahaky ny famelanay ny mitrosa aniinay. Ary aza mitarikia anay ho amy ny, 

 fakam-panahy, fa manafaha anay amy ny ratsy : F' Anao ny fanjakana, sy ny 

 hery, ary ny voninahitra, mandrakizay. Amena. — Matt. vi. 9 — 13. 



TEE END. 



LONDON 



pttlntet) by spottikwoode ano co, 

 new-strei;t squatje 



