282 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
then adjourned to the house of Mr. Griffiths, where the 
children went through a similar process. The total number 
in both schools was eighty-five. After the examination was 
concluded, the king and the Prince Rataffe expressed them¬ 
selves pleased with the progress already made by the 
scholars. 
On the 18th of June, the king informed Mr. Hastie that 
the necessary arrangements were made for forming a com¬ 
mercial establishment at Foule Point; that two thousand 
labourers, and a guard of one hundred soldiers, were under 
orders to proceed to that place under the command of the 
Prince Rafaralahy, to whom a supply of money, cattle, and 
cloth was delivered, to purchase subsistence for the party, or 
such articles as might be required for the establishment. 
The 19th being the eve of the annual festival, several 
fires were lighted at every village in the district, so that 
soon after sunset a general illumination prevailed over the 
country, and all was festivity and gladness in the capital, 
where the customary formalities were observed. 
After going through the usual ceremonies on the follow¬ 
ing day, and performing the sacrifice at the capital, Radama 
departed in state for Ambohimanga, the burial-place of his 
father, where the observances were repeated previous to his 
returning at noon the same day. He was attended by his 
nobles and officers, and spent the evening with his European 
friends. During the course of conversation, he evinced an 
ardent desire that his newly-projected commercial enterprise 
might be attended with success, as such an event would 
enable him to observe all the instructions he had received 
from his excellency Governor Farquhar, whom he regarded 
with filial respect. He frequently reverted to the atten¬ 
tions and improvements he had already effected by his 
excellency’s advice, and of which he declared himself 
