there are few more intelligent people than the inhabitants of that
magnificent island.

Before starting on our journey we were invited to a dinner by one of the
chiefs. Our surprise was great, when we approached the house, to find
two lines of soldiers drawn up, dressed in white kilts with white belts
across their naked shoulders, with a musket or spear. We were ushered
into a handsome hall full of officers in every variety of European
uniform, the chiefs having cocked hats, feathers, and gold epaulets.
The lady of the house and several other ladies were present, dressed in
English fashion; and the feast, which was abundant, was served much in
the English style. Several of the officers spoke English, and toasts
were drunk and speeches made, while a band played very well both when we
entered and after dinner. Some female slaves stood behind the ladies,
and two afterwards came in and made some very excellent coffee. We were
very much interested as well as surprised to find so much civilisation
among those whom we had supposed barbarians.

I have spoken of slaves. Although the government has abolished the
exportation of slaves, slavery is still allowed in the country. The
slaves are generally people taken in war from among the inhabitants of
the northern provinces. People are also condemned to perpetual slavery
for crimes by the government. The Hovas, the name of the dominant
tribe, of whom Radama was chief, have made slaves of great numbers of
the tribes whom they have conquered. We heard, however, that they are
generally kindly treated. Many of the Christians were condemned to
slavery during the late persecutions; but the conditions made with those
who took charge of them was, that they were to be kept constantly at
hard labour. We heard much of the admirable conduct of the Christians
under all their persecutions. Their heathen masters declared that they
could be intrusted with any matter of importance, and were scrupulously
exact with regard to all property placed under their charge, while among
themselves they kept up the pure and simple doctrines which they had
learned from the Bible itself.

We now got ready for our journey. We had a guide who had been in
England, and some years at the Cape of Good Hope, and spoke English
perfectly. Our palanquins were something like cots slung on a long
pole, with a roof of native cloth, which could be rolled up or let down
to keep off the rain or sun. The machin