HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
351 
During the absence of Radama from the capital, the 
hopes of the Missionaries, in pursuing their labours amongst 
the people, had been subject to considerable fluctuations. 
The formation of the school at the capital, and the estab¬ 
lishment of some others in the neighbourhood, have already- 
been described. The increase in the number of schools, it 
may be supposed, would naturally excite the jealousy and 
opposition of some who were either secretly or avowedly 
hostile to such innovations. Various circumstances arose 
to put to the test the feelings and determinations of 
Radama on the subject. His views were manifested partly 
by his public kabaries to the people, by conferring honours 
on the diligent, by threatening those who intercepted his 
orders in reference to the schools, by encouraging the 
national custom of betting, and by his frequent communi¬ 
cations with the Missionaries as to their line of proceeding. 
About two thousand children were, in the beginning of 
1824, under instruction. 
