HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
151 
it should be published in the Mauritius Gazette, where¬ 
by it would be known throughout Europe and the 
world—that the people of England would exclaim, “ What 
a brute of a king is Radama!—that they would not allow 
their agent or representative to remain any longer in such 
a country—and that he should be recalled. The love of fame 
was one of Radama’s strongest passions, and it is said, that 
on this occasion he was affected to tears, and took the most 
prompt and energetic measures for preventing the recur¬ 
rence of practices which he had thus been led to consider 
as exposing him to contempt and shame. 
On the queen’s entry into the capital with her infant, 
a fortnight afterwards, when similar outrages were expected, 
a strict prohibition, issued by the king, was very generally 
regarded ; two culprits only were brought before the judges 
the next morning, and, being found guilty of disobeying the 
order of the king, were immediately executed. 
After the birth of an infant, the relatives and friends of 
the mother visit her, and offer their congratulations. The 
infant also receives salutations, in form resembling the 
following: * 6 Saluted be the offspring given of God !—may 
the child live long !—may the child be favoured so as to 
possess wealth!’’ Presents are also made to the attendants 
in the household, and sometimes a bullock is killed on the 
occasion, and distributed among the members of the family. 
Presents of poultry, fuel, money, &c., are at times also 
sent by friends to the mother. A piece of meat is usually 
cut into thin slices, and suspended at some distance from 
the floor by a cord attached to the ceiling or roof of the 
house. This is called the Kitoza, and is intended for the 
mother. A fire is kept in the room, day and night, frequently 
for a week after the birth of the child. 
At the expiration of that period, the infant, arrayed in 
