HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
295 
and harmony of their voices exceeded any thing of the kind 
they had before heard in the island, and excited a wish that 
ere long the same voices might be employed in singing the 
praises of the true God. 
On the thirtieth of the month, the travellers returned 
to their homes, gratified with their excursion, happy to 
find their families well, and the Mission prospering. During 
the course of their journey, they had endeavoured to 
interest and benefit the people by putting such questions to 
them* as were most likely to draw forth their opinions 
on subjects of the greatest importance, and directing their 
attention, as far as they were able, to clearer and more 
enlightened views. 
While the Missionaries pursued their quiet occupations 
at the capital, Mr. Hastie was no less attentive to that 
peculiar line of duty committed to his charge. When the 
party under the direction of Prince Rafaralahy reached the 
Antsianaka district, on their way to Foule Point, a great 
assembly of the people was convened, for the purpose of 
making them acquainted with the object of the detachment 
in passing through their country, as well as to request that 
they would repair to the place of its destination with any 
provision or merchandise they had for sale; and that they 
would furnish such seeds and plants as their country pro¬ 
duced, for which just payment was promised. After this, 
the commands of the king for the suppression of marauding 
and plundering, were published to the company assembled, 
the whole number of persons amounting to about four 
thousand. The harangue of the prince, a native of this 
district, was delivered with great eloquence, and received 
with loud applause, the people hailing with every expres¬ 
sion of delight, the intelligence of an expected market for 
their produce, and the commands of their king for the sup- 
