HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
493 
w And I also inform all you Europeans, that whilst you reside here 
in my country, you may, among yourselves, observe all the cus¬ 
toms, (religious observances,) of your ancestors, and your own 
customs ; and do not entertain any fears, for I do not change the 
customs of your ancestors, or your customs, for the disposition that 
you have manifested to my country is good: however, though I 
state that, if the law of my country be violated, the party is guilty, 
whoever he may be; nor is that done in this country only, but 
throughout the world—wherever the law of the country is violated, 
the party is guilty. 
“ And further, I tell you explicity, that if these people of mine 
should change the customs of the ancestors, and that which has 
been transmitted from the ancient line of my predecessors, and 
from Andrianampoinimerina and Radama, if they should change 
that, I utterly detest it, (laviko izany,) for that which has been 
established by my ancestors I cannot permit to be changed : I am 
neither ashamed nor afraid to maintain the customs of my ances¬ 
tors ; but if there be good disposition, and knowledge that may be 
beneficial to my country, that I assent to, (atao ko izany;) but still, 
the customs of my ancestors, I cannot allow to be relinquished. 
“ And hence then, with regard to religious worship, whether on 
the Sunday or not, and the practice of baptism, and the existence 
of a society, (or societies ;) those things cannot be done by my 
subjects, in my country; but with regard to yourselves as Euro* 
peans, do that which accords with the customs of your ancestors, 
and your own customs. But if there be knowledge of the arts 
and sciences, that will be beneficial to my subjects in the country, 
teach that, for it is good; therefore I tell you of this, my friends 
and relations, that you may hear of it. 
(Saith) “ Ranavalomanjaka.” 
To this communication the following reply was sent, two 
days afterwards, by the Missionaries. 
Antananarivo, 28th Feb. 1835. 
To Ranavalomanjaka, 
“ May you attain to old age, not suffering affliction: Madam, 
may you equal in length of days the human race. 
