170 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
to give him away if you continue beloved by your 
children. 
These preliminaries arranged, the parents, if living, and 
relations of both parties, are invited to assemble, and the 
husband’s brother usually states the terms of the agreement. 
“ You are all invited, that you may be informed of the pre¬ 
sent made to Rafotsy, namely, the half slave.” The husband’s 
father then adds, 46 half the slave belongs to my daughter- 
in-law. Do you agree to that? Half a slave, for which you 
have not toiled nor laboured—this is thine.” The father, 
mother, and relatives of the wife express their assent, and 
compliment the husband. The husband rejoins, “I am 
pleased with what you have said, and now I shall add to 
the donation. How much? Three dollars.” All parties 
consent, unanimity prevails, Rafotsy herself, won by so 
much kindness and liberality, remarks, - 4 That will do, I 
seem to have a father indeed to my children.” All the 
family join then in some exclamations of thanks, and call on 
god, and heaven and earth, sun and moon, east, west, 
and north, and deceased relations, to bless the man and 
his wife. 
The husband then adds, “ I shall give you all notice of a 
day when I intend to marry my second wife, lest you should 
say, Why have you been so silent, and done it so suddenly, 
without telling us ?” A lucky day being accordingly fixed 
on, it is mentioned by the husband’s brother, and the party 
breaks up with expressions of mutual good-will. 
The first wife generally makes additional efforts to 
obtain a further donation from her husband, and often 
succeeds. 
On the day fixed for introducing one wife to the other, 
the head people of the village are requested to act as the 
inter-messengers. They proceed to the house of the in- 
