VISIT TO THE COURT OF THE HOVAS. 
129 
character which has caused their best friends 
much distress; but all this will in time be toned 
down and crushed out, we are convinced, as deeper 
knowledge and really solid attainments take the 
place of what, from the circumstances of the 
case, must be at present scarcely more than a 
superficial glance through such subjects as chem¬ 
istry, classical languages, mathematics, and Chris¬ 
tian ethics. We are quite certain that a little 
more frankness on the part of their friends and 
counsellors would be very useful, especially to 
the coming men of the country, as to the solid 
advantages of thoroughness and plodding and 
patience with themselves, as there appears to 
be a tendency to push on with too great an 
eagerness towards the goal of perfection, which 
we all heartily desire to see them eventually 
attain. 
The site of the capital has been remarkably 
well chosen. Like the stronghold of the redoubt¬ 
able Theodore of Abyssinia, the great city, 
founded by Radama I. to perpetuate his name 
and the inauguration of his supremacy, is built 
upon an eminence that can be seen at long 
distances, and from various points of the sur¬ 
rounding country. The approach to it from the 
coast is an ascent from the time of leaving Bi- 
forona, and the occasional glimpses which the 
traveller obtains of Antananarivo, as he draws 
i 
