chap. xiii. INTERVIEW WITH PRINCE RAMONJA. 353 ceived, and said if, when I wanted to return, I would send them word, they would come up from Tamatave, to carry me down to the coast. I thanked them for the offer of their services, and asked them what they were going to do with their money. Most of them said they were going to buy something to take home; and as specimens of the purchases they made, no fewer than three parties came during the day with gold ear rings of native manufacture, to ask me if they were really gold. After dismissing the bearers of my palanquin and personal baggage, I paid the hearers of my packages, each according to the distance he had come, and they all appeared well satisfied with the sum they received. I also presented a small sum to the officers, as an expression of my sense of their attention during the journey. The packages had not yet all arrived, but were daily expected. As much of this day as I could command, I devoted to writing letters for England and Mauritius, to send by my bearers to Tamatave, and also to packing the few ferns and plants which I had collected era, my journey. In the evening I had a very pleasant visit from the Prince Eamonja, and one of his relatives. After the first greeting, he almost involun tarily acknowledged the goodness of God in causing us to meet together. He then conversed with much earnestness but gentleness of manner, making many inquiries after the English who had formerly resided at the capital, and the many friends in England of whom he had heard. He spoke also of the afflictions he had suffered, and his bereavements in the loss of his children by death. He inquired much about the state of things in England, and expressed his hopes for the prosperity of Madagascar. I was much impressed with his intelligence and amiable feeling. During my former visits, I had heard of his impaired sight, and had now the pleasure of presenting him with an excellent pair of gold A A