HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
269 
were these arrangements made, than the people began to 
level the ground and prepare for the foundation of the 
building. 
On the 23d of October, Mr. Griffiths commenced his 
school with eleven boys and four girls, selected from some 
of the principal families in the town. All manifested an 
extreme eagerness for their parents to give them clothing 
similar to that worn by the Europeans. The boys brought 
cloth to be made into jackets and trousers—the girls, various 
kinds of cottons and stuffs for frocks, requesting the aid of 
the wives of the Missionaries in preparing them. It was 
curious to observe, on this occasion, the perpetual conflict 
which exists in the mind of the Malagasy, between his 
fondness for imitating what is novel, and his veneration for 
the “fanaondrazana,” or custom of his ancestors. Most 
usual the latter prevails, except where the party possesses 
considerable influence and independence. 
In the end of October, Mr. Jones, although suffering a 
relapse of the Malagasy fever, re-opened his school; and 
the king having expressed a wish to be present on the 
occasion, he was informed of the time at which it would 
take place. 
Having taken his seat, he listened attentively while the 
children repeated what they had learned, and expressed 
himself gratified with the progress they had made, especially 
with their not having forgotten, during the absence of the 
Missionaries, what they had learned before. 
It deserves to be recorded to the honour of the British 
government, that the expenses of the Missionaries, incurred 
in travelling from the Mauritius to the capital of Mada¬ 
gascar, were defrayed by order of Sir Robert Farquhar. On 
this, as well as on many other accounts, the Missionaries 
immediately concerned, but the Society at large, will long 
