HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
273 
be so far understood as to secure the approbation of the 
people at large; and about a month before this time, a 
curious misapprehension had taken place. The Mission¬ 
aries, seeing no sufficient reason why a season for holidays 
should not be allowed in Madagascar as well as in England, 
and probably feeling the want of a little relaxation for 
themselves as well as their scholars, permitted the chil¬ 
dren to absent themselves for a few days from the schools. 
On the 30th of December, however, a kabary of the judges 
and people was held on the subject of the white people 
withholding instruction from their children; and without 
having first investigated the matter, or having suspected 
that there could be any reason in the case, they commenced 
a virulent and abusive attack upon the Missionaries, calling 
them owls, pigs, cats, dogs, and other equally opprobrious 
names. The kabary decided upon carrying the weighty 
affair to the king, and seeking the royal redress for their 
grievances. The king wrote to the Missionaries, asking why 
the children were not taught as usual; and stating, that if 
the scholars had behaved ill, they should be corrected, even 
though belonging to his own family. t£ They are,” said the 
king, <£ yours, while they are under your care; and if they 
commit any great offence, let me know it, and I will see it 
arranged.” 
The whole affair was of course fully explained to the 
king; who replied, ££ It is all well and goodand the affair 
terminated. 
There is no doubt but the return of the Prince Rataffe 
from England about this time, tended very much to confirm 
the favourable disposition already manifested by Radama 
towards the Missionaries. On the final conclusion of the 
agreement for the suppression of slave-dealing in Mada¬ 
gascar, this amiable prince had been appointed to visit 
ij. 
T 
