HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
313 
“Enough; let the white man try now.” Mr. Chick then 
lifted the anvil to a considerable height from the ground, 
to the great surprise of all present; and it is singular to 
notice the first impression which this evidence of the 
superior strength of the Englishman produced on the 
minds of the king and his suite: they all concurred in 
declaring that it would be dangerous to fight with such 
men. 
A number of youths were placed, by order of the sove¬ 
reign, under the charge of Mr. Chick, as apprentices, and 
were carefully instructed by him in the several branches 
of his art. When the king commenced building the palace, 
Mr. Chick furnished the iron-work for it; while thus occu¬ 
pied, he had about two hundred and fifty native smiths 
employed under him, and from that time may be dated 
the improvements made in smithing by the natives. Mr. 
Chick’s work at the palace entirely ceased when Radama 
died. He was employed by the present government to 
furnish the iron-work for the mills erected by Mr. Cameron 
at Alakaly, and had under him about two hundred persons, 
who had every opportunity of improving themselves, and 
learning the more difficult branches of the business. 
Many of the native smiths are now able to make hinges, 
screws, and a variety of the most valuable articles of iron 
used in civilized life. They have also attained considerable 
proficiency in wire-drawing. In making brass or iron wire, 
they beat the rods till they are nearly reduced to the size 
required, when they are heated, and drawn through holes 
in a plate of iron or steel till brought to the proper size. 
The wire is drawn through the holes by a rude sort of 
winch, turned by one or two persons. 
It is a subject of deep regret, that in recent years their 
skill in the manufacture of cutlery and hardware has been 
