260 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
rage and fidelity. His mother’s name and his own, with 
his right to the throne by birth, and by the will and desig¬ 
nation of his father, were then described at length. After 
which he eulogized his troops in the most flattering terms, 
extolling their bravery and their loyalty, and commending 
the admirable manner in which they had gone through the 
exercises of the day. 44 You,” said the king, “ have been 
instructed, and have become superior to your forefathers; 
there is not a nation that you cannot conquer, not a power 
that you cannot subdue, not a town that you cannot enter; 
all that is essential now, is, a concentration of your forces, 
steady union, and co-operation. You remember the words 
of my father: 4 Radama,’ said he, 4 you see the whole land 
is yours, from north to south, and from east to west. Our 
people are richer and happier than those of any other part 
of the island. It is your honour to be their king, and their 
happiness to be your subjects. Rest not until you have 
conquered and gained the whole island.’ To effect this,” 
continued Radama, 44 1 have done the best I could up to 
this day. I have been convinced of the superiority of dis¬ 
ciplined troops. Thirteen thousand have volunteered into 
the army; and by an alliance with one of the most enlight¬ 
ened nations, the English, I shall be able to furnish you 
with clothes, arms, and ammunition. I now leave you to 
consider and determine what shall be the punishment 
inflicted upon cowards and deserters; and if every officer 
and every soldier will do his duty, there is no difficulty to 
be apprehended—there is no danger to be feared.” 
The generals of Voromahery and of the Tsirondahy then 
rose in succession, and delivered their sentiments in speeches 
characterised by native eloquence and loyalty, speaking 
in the name of all the officers and soldiers, making the 
most solemn declarations of fidelity to their sovereign. The 
