HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR.’ 
319 
CHAP. XII. 
Return of Radama from the north-east part of the island—Establishment 
of a central school at the capital, and extension of education to the vil¬ 
lages—Public examination of the scholars—General improvement of the 
people—Progress of agriculture on the north-east coast—Statement of 
views and proceedings of Governor Farquhar in favour of Madagascar— 
Conduct of Rafaralahy on the visit of the governor of Mauritius to Foule 
Point—Expedition of Radama against the Sakalavas in 1824—Pacific 
counsels of the British agent—Deserted state of the capital of Iboina— 
Interview between Mr. Hastie and the Moorish chief of Mazanga—■ 
Unsuccessful attempts to induce the latter to acknowledge Radama’s 
supremacy—His ultimate destruction—The traffic in slaves suppressed on 
the western coast—Strict discipline maintained in the army of the king— 
Intercourse between Mr. Hastie and Andriansolo, chief of the northern 
Sakalavas—Radama’s sovereignty acknowledged by the latter—His inter¬ 
view with Radama—Intercourse of the latter with Commodore Nourse— 
Selection of the site for Andriansolo’s dwelling—Garrisons stationed in 
the country—Sickness in the army—Intercourse with a celebrated sor¬ 
ceress— Her destruction by order of Radama—Return of the army to the 
capital. 
On the 2d of January, 1824, Radama returned from his 
expedition to Tamatave, and the north-eastern coast of the 
island, and entered his capital with the customary cere¬ 
monies. The 11th of January had been fixed upon by 
those who undertook to calculate the favourable days, but 
the king having heard that some of his ministers, in order 
to maintain the power of the sikidy, had declared that he 
could not enter it earlier, determined to show that Radama 
could and would enter his capital whenever he pleased; 
and, therefore, he marched to his palace without halting 
in the suburbs, as had been customary, until the diviners 
had pronounced it suitable for him to enter. 
