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20-1 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. CHAP. VIII. different parts of the walls. The cooking-place was gene rally in a low shed outside. In the evening the people assembled in considerable num bers for public worship. Many of the men remained for friendly conference with the missionary until a late hour. After we had retired for the night, we were disturbed by the loud harking of the dogs, who had found in one of the gardens a porcupine, which they killed. Soon after daybreak the next morning we took leave of our friends. Eight or nine of the men accompanied us on horseback for several miles, when we all alighted, and after a hearty farewell we resumed our journey, and they returned to their homes. The members of this interesting community, and there were about forty families, both men and women, were all a few years ago slaves. In this condition, however, they had received religious instruction, and had become Christian men and women. Slavery had made them familiar with labour, and this has proved their great advantage. When emanci pated, their labour soon brought its return. Christianity taught them prudence in the use of their earnings, and thus they were soon able to buy a few goats, or sheep and oxen. Two or three years ago, eighteen of them, led by the mis sionary, united in renting this farm of 8000 acres. The cultivation of the farm enabled them to pay the rent punctu ally ; and a year ago they entered, before the constituted authorities, into a legal agreement to purchase it for 4000?., to he paid by instalments with six per cent, interest. One thousand pounds was to be paid in the month of November after our visit, and Mr. Anderson said he had no doubt that the money would be all ready by the specified time. Every one of the landowners possesses a team of oxen, and all but one a waggon. They possess, moreover, a large number of horses, besides cows, sheep, and goats. They have divided the land