HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR, 
291 
finished by the time the king returned from the war, and, 
being the largest ever erected in the capital, it excited 
much interest and surprise amongst the natives. 
About this time a circumstance occurred, tending to 
illustrate to the Missionaries some of the peculiarities of 
the people among whom they were placed, and demon¬ 
strating the importance of the countenance and support of 
the monarch in this early stage of the Mission, 
The mother of Radama sent to Mr. Jones’s school a 
young princess; and Mr, Jones remarked, that it might be 
well for her to wait until a few others could be found to 
unite with her, and form a class. Some children of the 
school having overheard this, began a canvass of their own 
accord in the town, endeavouring to bring others to be 
associated with the young princess. The parents, however, 
resented this interference, warmly resisted the efforts of 
their juvenile visitors, and, rudely threatening to stone them 
for their unauthorised meddling, went to lay their complaint 
before the judges. 
The judges came to Mr. Jones, demanding to know why 
he suffered his scholars to go about disturbing the town 
while the king was absent, and stating that the people 
were exceedingly angry with him. Mr. Jones inquired 
into the cause of their anger, and then explained 
to the judges the real circumstances of the case. They 
appeared satisfied, and remarked, ££ that to endeavour to 
find a few to unite with the young princess at school, may 
be best; but it will be proper to await the king’s return, 
lest in their displeasure the people should do some injury 
to the children, and then, as an excuse, to justify them¬ 
selves, tell the king that their children were taken to 
school, and sold from thence into slavery, to be heard of no 
more, while, in fact, they themselves may have been guilty 
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