412 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
CHAR XV 
Notice of the Malagasy youths sent to England for education, and 
of those sent to Mauritius, and on hoard of British ships-of-war— 
Arrival of Mr. Baker in Madagascar—Re-opening of the schools after 
the season of public mourning—Altered policy of the native govern¬ 
ment—The treaty with the English government annulled, and the equi¬ 
valent declined—Refusal to receive the British agent—Outrageous 
conduct towards the British agent—Reasons assigned for the treatment 
of Mr. Lyall—Coronation of the queen—The procession—Public invoca¬ 
tion of the idols—The queen’s address to the people—Public recognition 
of the queen by the nobles, officers, and people—Appearance and dress 
of the queen—Threatened invasion of Imerina—Rumour of a hostile 
expedition from France—Return of the troops from the south—Wretch¬ 
edness and degradation of the prisoners—Arrival of the French ships off 
Tamatave—Attack upon the town, and defeat of the Hovas—Arrival of 
troops from the capital—Negociation with the French—Ravages of the 
fever among the Europeans—Departure of the French from the coast— 
Efforts of the government to restore the influence of idolatry in the 
country—Departure of Mr. Freeman from Madagascar—Afflictive circum¬ 
stances of his journey and embarkation—Vigorous efforts of the Mission¬ 
aries to provide books for the people—Encouraging attention of the 
people to instruction—Departure of Mr. Jones on a visit to England. 
Ever since the visit of Prince RatafFe to England in 1821 , 
considerable interest had been felt in the nine Malagasy 
youths who accompanied him, and who were confided by 
the British government to the care of the London Mission¬ 
ary Society. These youths were placed for education, 
in the first instance, at the British and Foreign School 
in London. The failure of health, and other circum¬ 
stances, rendered it necessary that one of them should 
very shortly afterwards leave our shores; the rest were 
