HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
389 
At several important stations, the subject of education 
was strenuously urged upon the attention of the head 
people, both by the prince and his companion; and the 
result was, that application was afterwards made to the 
Missionaries for the extension of schools in three other 
districts, where scholars for no less than fourteen schools 
were procured; the applications were cheerfully met by the 
Missionaries, as far as teachers could be supplied. 
No natives had yet made direct application for the rite 
of Christian baptism, although there was ground to hope 
that the ordinance might, in some cases, be administered 
with propriety. No public measure, however, being adopted 
without the express sanction of the king, it was deemed 
most prudent to ascertain what were his wishes on this 
subject; and Mr. Jones was requested to seek an early 
opportunity of laying the subject before the consideration 
of Radama, and explaining to him the nature and design of 
the observance. 
The period for the examination of the schools occurred 
at this time; but his majesty was very seriously indisposed, 
and had been so for some months, becoming gradually less 
able to attend to public business, and confining himself 
almost entirely to his own residence in town or country. 
Unable to sustain the fatigue of attending the public exami¬ 
nation of the schools, he deputed Prince Corroller and some 
other officers to attend on the occasion, and bring home 
the report. The inspection of the progress of the scholars 
occupied nearly two days, and terminated much to the 
satisfaction of all parties. 
At the close of the first day’s examination, a message 
was delivered from the king, urging, as on former occasions, 
that those who were withdrawn from the schools should 
preserve the knowledge they had acquired, seek further 
