Oil A I'. XVI. NIGHT SPENT AT AMBATOMANGA. 435 consideration, for the spacious enclosed court in front of the house was half filled with carefully-constructed tombs of stone, some of them of large dimensions; and I was told these were the tombs of the family. Soon after noon we resumed our journey, reached Ambato- manga, and, passing over the deep fosses, and along the edge of a sunken cattle-fold, which is always within the defences, and the fahitra, or pens for fattening cattle, I alighted at the door of the house I had formerly occupied, and received a cordial welcome from its inmates. In the evening friends from the capital arrived, some bring ing with them letters and other documents, others coming only that we might spend another evening together. With these friends I had deeply interesting and important conversation, and I endeavoured to give some useful information on matters which they had previously mentioned, and on which they were anxious to have my most matured opinions. The next morning I parted with them, under deep solicitude, but with much affection; and sending messages to those I had left behind, I left the romantic feudal-looking village of Ambato- manga and continued my journey. In the evening of the following day we reached the first village in Ankay. Descending by the mountain road on the western side of the extensive and fertile valley east of Angavo, we reached the village of Prince Ramonja in the fore noon of the next day. I was received with the same tokens of hospitality and kindness as had been shown when I had halted there on my way to Imerina. The servants of the prince brought presents, &c. A bullock was killed by his orders, and distributed amongst the people who were with me. His aged and venerable nurse was as lavish in her expressions of joy that I had seen the prince as she had been in her anti cipation of the pleasure he would experience on my arrival. After remaining with these friendly retainers of the prince until r f 2