374 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR 
Few monarchs have given a higher testimony of their 
regard for an individual than that conveyed in the language 
of Radama to the friends who were watching by the bed¬ 
side of Mr. Hastie. “ I have,” said he, “ lost many of my 
people, many of my soldiers, most of my officers, and several 
of the Maroserana, or highest nobles; but this is nothing 
in comparison with the loss of Andrian-asy.* He has been 
a faithful friend; vady ny Madagascar—a husband to Mada¬ 
gascar : the good he has done cannot be too highly spoken 
of by me. He has surpassed every agent that preceded 
him; and never will any who may succeed him, prove his 
equal. Many may come here, but none will feel more 
interest in Madagascar than Andrian-asy. Many may 
boast much, but none will do so much as he has done, nor 
endure the toils which he has endured. May God spare his 
valuable life to us !” 
Such were the grateful and affectionate expressions of 
lladama. He felt as a father about to be bereaved of a 
beloved son, or as a son losing the counsels of a father 
whose character he reveres, and whose affection he 
reciprocates. 
About one o'clock on the 8th of October, Mr. Hastie 
gently breathed his last, leaving with his widow an infant 
son, then about twelvemonths old. 
Intelligence of the event was conveyed to the king with¬ 
out delay. His majesty, contrary to the customs of the 
country, went to see the corpse, attended by the several 
members of the royal family. The same mark of respect 
was paid by the judges, the officers, and the principal 
people. A minute-gun was also fired, as a public mark of 
honour. Nothing was left undone which could demonstrate 
* “ Andriana,” nobleman,—a title of respect and honour; and Hastie, 
contracted into “ asy.” 
