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missionaries sailed on the 9th of February, and arrived at 
the place of their destination on the 3d of July, 1818. 
At that period. Governor Farquhar had returned to 
England on business respecting the affairs of the colony, 
and had left . Mr. Hall in command during his absence. 
That gentleman received the missionaries in a very 
courteous manner; but discouraged their proceeding to 
Madagascar at that time, on account of the slave-trade, 
which still continued to be carried on to a most alarming 
extent. They, notwithstanding, determined to proceed 
thither privately, to inform themselves precisely of the 
state of the island, and whether their attempt would be 
likely to succeed. 
They accordingly sailed from the Mauritius about five 
weeks after their arrival, and landed at Tamatave on the 
18th of August. Here they were favourably received, and 
commenced a school, consisting, at first, of ten children of 
the most respectable families in the place. The natives 
expressed great joy at the prospect of having their chil¬ 
dren educated; and the missionaries were much encou¬ 
raged by the promising appearances which presented 
themselves. The following month Mr. and Mrs. Sevan 
returned to the Mauritius, on account of the approach of 
the sickly season; leaving Mr. and Mrs. Jones, with their 
infant child, at Madagascar. 
A most painful visitation of Providence took place soon 
after this period. In December, both Mr. and Mrs. Jones 
were taken ill: in the same month they lost their infant 
daughter; and, at the close of it, Mrs. Jones also died, to 
the inexpressible grief of her husband.—Nor was this all. 
At the same period, Mr. and Mrs. Sevan, who had remained 
some weeks at the Mauritius, determined to return to 
Madagascar, notwithstanding the earnest intreaties of 
their friends, who represented the danger of going at that 
period of the year. 
They arrived, with their infant, at Tamatave, on the 
