282 
MADAGASCAR. 
antiquated and inconvenient. The necessity for 
the constant use of scales and weights, even in 
the most insignificant transactions, is annoying, 
and causes great delay and loss of time. The 
Indian rupee has been suggested as the most use¬ 
ful coinage for Madagascar, not only on account 
of the extensive trade which is carried on between 
the island and the Mauritius, but also, perhaps, 
for the convenience of the numerous Indian sub¬ 
jects of England who have found their way to 
and established themselves as traders amongst 
the Malagasy ; and these men deserve considera¬ 
tion, as they are not only industrious and frugal, 
but they have also a considerable stake in the 
country, and a large proportion of the business 
of the coast towns is in their hands. This section 
of the alien population has, perhaps, profited 
more than any other by trading in Madagascar, 
and many of them have returned to their homes 
in Bombay or Madras after a few years with 
large fortunes. On the other hand, the Ameri¬ 
can dollar has been suggested, as it would have 
the advantage of steadiness in value, and an 
equivalent in the silver dollars of France, Spain, 
Italy, and, in fact, all countries using this coin 
in any form. The American influence in Mada¬ 
gascar has been steadily increasing, and on the 
whole has been useful to the best interests of 
the country. 
