HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
429 
joyful earth.) The other members of the royal family were 
dressed in the European manner. 
Splendid as the pageant attending the coronation had 
been, and important as were the advantages supposed by 
the government to be secured thereby, just causes for 
apprehension were not wanting.. Several powerful chiefs 
in the south, who had never acknowledged the supremacy 
of Radama, were not expected quietly to admit the claims 
of one whose only title to the allegiance she required, con¬ 
sisted in the murder of the rightful successor to the late 
sovereign of the Hovas ; and against them a body of troops 
had been sent from the capital. Reports were also received 
respecting the hostile intentions of Ramanetaka, a cousin of 
Radama, a prince of great talents, enterprise, and courage; 
who was then in the prime of manhood, who under Radama 
had held some of the most important offices in the kingdom, 
and was regarded with the most devoted attachment by the 
Hovas. It was rumoured that he was mustering an army 
in the north, with the intention of invading Imerina in 
person, and dispossessing the queen and her adherents. 
Fifteen thousand troops were immediately appointed for 
the defence of the northern frontier of Ankova, as Rama¬ 
netaka was not an enemy to be trifled with. Had there been 
any foundation for the rumour, such precaution had been 
by no means unnecessary : no opponent could have arrayed 
himself against them whom the supporters of Ranavalona had 
more just reason to fear,—but they were soon relieved of im¬ 
mediate apprehension from this source; and it was found 
that—reading his own doom in that of Rakotobe, Rataffe, and 
Rafaralahy, Radama s faithful friends—Ramanetaka, not feel¬ 
ing himself safe in Madagascar, had fled to Mohilla, one of the 
Comoro Islands, where he has since remained. 
The government was scarcely satisfied that no immediate 
