208 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
accounts of the violent and arbitrary conduct of Radama, 
they resolved not to write to him, but to commence their 
labours at Tamatave, or at some neighbouring village, Mr. 
Bragg having assured them that the children of some of 
the chieftains, and of their principal people, could be 
obtained for instruction, and that the reports of Jean Rene, 
and of the traders, as to the deficiency of talent on the part 
of the natives, were not founded in fact. 
In company with Mr. Bragg, they paid a visit to Fisatra, 
chieftain of Hivondrona. He appeared pleased with their 
object, promised to send his son Berora to be a scholar, 
and recommended the school being opened at Mananarezo. 
The example of promising to send his son, which he after¬ 
wards fulfilled, was followed by several head people of the 
village, who appeared equally pleased with the plan, and 
who also engaged that their children should become scholars. 
The people, when the object was explained to them, shouted 
Tsara be, tsara be ! 64 very good, very good;” and the females 
asked, 44 When will your wives come and teach us?” 
44 During our stay at Hivondrona,” observe Messrs. Jones 
and Bevan, in writing to the directors, 44 we received great 
kindness and respect. We supped with the chieftain 
Fisatra and one of his ministers. The floor was our table, 
on which was spread a beautiful rush mat instead of a table¬ 
cloth ; and an excellent repast was laid thereon, with plates, 
knives, and forks. A fine rush mat, which is always kept 
clean, and upon which they sleep, covers the whole room, 
and over this the other mat is laid when they take their 
meals. They have two stated times for eating each day. 
The first at eleven, they call their morning meal; and the 
other at the decline of the day, is called their evening meal. 
We slept on the floor after the manner of the Malagasy, 
and on the following morning returned to Tamatave greatly 
