294 
MADAGASCAR. 
beware of the Hova watch repairer. I do not 
say this out of want of respect for these good 
people. I say it from deep conviction of the 
fact, that if you have a friendship for any of 
these men personally, and wish to preserve it, 
the only security is in keeping your watch out 
of his hands. The Malagasy succeed in most 
things they undertake : they are clever and pains¬ 
taking, as I have already said over and over 
again, but they cannot repair your watch. En¬ 
trust them with your clock if you like—they may 
improve it : the chances are they will ruin it, 
with the best intentions. This is the provoking 
part of it. They rush in where others fear to 
tread. They try their best, they desire to suc¬ 
ceed ; but two valuable, but now, alas! useless 
presentation chronometers here before me to-day, 
tell a silent tale of Hova zeal misdirected, and of 
a stranger's confidence misplaced. There is no 
cause for reproach. I trusted them with my 
delicate property out of respect for their perse¬ 
verance and love of overcoming difficulties, and 
mastering new accomplishments. They failed to 
complete the task, miserably and completely, and 
in bitterness and sadness I can only deplore—• 
well, let us say, my over-estimation of their 
powers. But still the day will come, I feel, 
when they will master even the intricacies of a 
watch, and be able to return the pieces to the 
