178 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
that he should remain to superintend the education of the 
princes; and then, when it was explained to him that this 
was a misapprehension, he offered to reward Mr. H. for 
his trouble, if he would stay and continue to act as their 
tutor. Delays and hinderances were also thrown in the 
way of Mr. Hastie, whenever he wished to prosecute any 
plan for the benefit of the king or his people, by the 
general belief in the influence of unlucky days; so that 
when Mr. Hastie asked for bullocks, with the intention of 
training them to carry burdens, the lucky day for such an 
attempt was never found. When he wished to visit the 
iron mines, the same hinderance presented itself; and when 
he proposed returning to Tamatave, difficulties appeared 
to increase. He was not willing to depart without again 
reverting to the conversation he had previously had with 
Radama on the subject of the slave-trade. The king, on 
this occasion, asked what he was to do; saying, it was the 
trade of the island, which his people loved. Besides which, 
he considered his prisoners as too much his enemies to 
trust them near him; and what was he to do with the 
population of any village that offended him. Mr. Hastie 
again pointed out the means whereby his people might not 
only be satisfied but enriched, his captives usefully em¬ 
ployed, and his own greatness ensured. He acknowledged 
the truth of what was stated, but concluded by saying that 
the n tives of Madagascar liked to live without labour, and 
the time had not then arrived when their prejudices could 
be overcome, yet he hoped to set such an example as would 
satisfy his father, Governor Farquhar. 
After this interview, Radama again endeavoured to pre¬ 
vail upon Mr. Hastie to remain with him, and asked if he 
could do anything to render him more comfortable. Mr. 
Hastie explained to him the necessity he was under of 
