231 
your recollection, that you might in future adopt 
union of heart for your law. To preserve this, you 
must follow the law of your fathers, which com¬ 
mands you to submit to the descendant of Ramini. 
I here present him to you; I give him this assagaye, 
that he may be the only Ombiassobe as was our 
father Ramini(then elevating his voice), “ Attend 
to my voice, ye Rhoandrians, Anacandrians, Ontzatsi, 
Voadziri, Lohavohitz, Ontzoa, Ondeves, Philoubeis, 
Ombiasses, Ampouria.—It is the law of our fathers. 
Acknowledge the ampansacabe—submit to him— 
listen to his voice-—follow the laws which he shall 
establish, and you shall be happy. Alas! my old 
age does not permit me to hope that I shall long 
share your happiness, my friends ; but my spirit shall 
perceive the testimonies of that gratitude which you 
may shew to my tomb.”—Then turning to the count, 
he proceeded, “ And thou, son of the blood of 
Ramini, implore the assistance of God, who en¬ 
lightens thee with his spirit. Be just—love thy 
people as thy children—let their happiness be thine 
—be not a stranger to their wants, their misfortunes 
—govern and assist with thy counsels, the Rhoan¬ 
drians and Anacandrians—protect the Ontzatsi and 
Voadziri—watch with paternal care over the Loha¬ 
vohitz, Ontzoa, and Philoubeis — employ for thy 
general good, the Ondeves, the Ombiasses, and do 
not despise the Ampouria—cause the latter to con¬ 
sider their masters as their fathers, as it was in the 
days of our father Ramini,” 
* 
