HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
231 
with provisions, wines, See.; and the whole was brilliantly 
illuminated with lamps. 
The guests were admitted by tickets, and entered at a 
signal given by the firing of cannon. For the king and 
part of his family, a table was arranged in the centre; for 
his wives, a table to the north; and for the Europeans, one 
to the south; the female guests were placed east and 
west; the king’s maroserana, (an order of nobles who have 
the privilege of access to the sovereign at all times,) to the 
north; and the judges of the capital were seated to the 
south. Dinner was brought in by the military, every one 
putting down his dish c< by word of command.” All were 
in high glee; and Radama, enjoying the most buoyant 
spirits, kept up the scene of mirth and festivity till cock- 
crowing announced to the guests the propriety of bending 
their way homewards. 
But, to return to their treatment of diseases. In cases 
of serious illness, the utmost attention is paid to the 
patient by the members and relations of his family, some of 
whom always remain to nurse and attend on him. In this 
respect their conduct presents a pleasing and striking con¬ 
trast to that of the South Sea islanders, and other uncivi¬ 
lized communities. No one is carried down with cruel 
apathy to a river’s brink, and left to perish there. The 
sikidy is repeatedly consulted, though this is attended with 
with some expense; and its directions are promptly obeyed. 
66 Change of air,” seems an important recommendation 
with the sikidy, as patients are frequently removed, by its 
instructions, from one house to another, and from one vil¬ 
lage to another. 
No trait in the character of the Malagasy is more credit¬ 
able to their humanity, and more gratifying to our bene- 
