298 
MADAGASCAR 
making, even in so small a matter as the pur¬ 
chase of a fowl, with the greatest solemnity and 
profoundest deliberation. There is no hurry or 
excitement either of speech or gesture: on the 
contrary, all the early stages of the negotiation 
are carried through with courtesy and gentle¬ 
ness. Arrived at the market, the native pur¬ 
chaser seats himself beside the vendor, and the 
two begin to discuss the affairs of the State, or 
the general condition of things, without the re¬ 
motest reference to the subject of purchase or 
sale. Gradually, however, the conversation veers 
round to the fowl lying before the parties, and 
the owner is asked the price of the bird. Both 
persons assume an air of indifference as to the 
completion of the bargain, and again the talk 
wanders to other and entirely fresh subjects. 
But both buyer and seller are keenly alive to 
the business in hand all the time. They watch 
each other as the price, the article, and the sur¬ 
rounding circumstances of the transaction, are 
calmly but earnestly discussed between them. 
It is always safe to offer about one fourth 
of the price asked for any particular article in 
the Malagasy markets. For instance, if a small 
sack of rice is offered at four shillings, yon 
may at once suggest one shilling as your offer. 
The custom of the country is for the vendor to 
ask a very high price, and for the buyer to 
