340 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
and red silk velvet, hats and caps; fine calico for shirting, 
and coloured prints, gloves, sewing-thread and silk, haber¬ 
dashery and hosiery. Epaulets of gold, earrings, finger- 
rings, watches, and small musical boxes. Next to these 
may be named hardware and cutlery; such as penknives, 
scissors, needles, cast-iron pots or kettles, earthenware, and 
glass. To these may be added, blue and white Pondicherry 
cloth, salt, arrac, and rum, introduced among the inha¬ 
bitants of the provinces near the coast. Large quantities 
of salt are carried up into Ankova, and sold at a very high 
price in the markets. 
Madagascar is rich in valuable articles of export, but 
its resources are yet comparatively unknown. During the 
reign of Radama, the demand for articles of European 
manufacture increased with astonishing rapidity. Since 
his death it has declined; and the policy of the present 
government seems to threaten the entire cessation of all 
trade with the English Should a more liberal policy be 
pursued by the native government, the favourable situation 
of the island, and the amount of its population, would render 
its commerce an object of vast importance to the manufac¬ 
turing and mercantile interests of our country. 
