HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
349 
and the use of silver plates and forks, but frequently to 
more important affairs. 
The only class of civil officers remaining to be noticed, 
consists of the Ambonin-jato, “over a hundred,” or centurion. 
They are the immediate organs of communication with the 
people. The judges deliver their orders to the Vadintany, 
and these convey them to the Ambonin-jato. All directions 
for attending to public service are conveyed in the same 
manner. 
The Maroserana (military officers) were those heads of 
districts who had submitted willingly to itadama and his 
father, and others who had distinguished themselves by 
their bravery in war, while the king was without disciplined 
troops. Some of the royal blood were also amongst this 
class. They were men of greater influence and weight in 
the court than the judges; most of them possessing larger 
menakelys (estates), and a greater number of tenants or 
vassals. They were not only more wealthy, but more ex¬ 
pert in war, and exhibited superior taste in the adoption of 
European dress and customs. Radama was in the habit 
of conversing frequently with them about the affairs of the 
kingdom; many were admitted to his table, and he occa¬ 
sionally dined with them; while the judges were never 
admitted to an equal degree of favour. 
The Maroserana had great influence over the people, in 
carrying any new plan into execution at the request of the 
king, or in preparing their minds to receive any royal pro¬ 
clamation. From this distinguished body his privy council 
was formed, and they constituted the principal officers of 
his undisciplined army. When Mr. Brady, an English 
sergeant, began to discipline the troops of Radama, in 1816, 
the maroserana were the first men placed under his care, 
and were thus qualified to become the chief officers of the 
