THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESENTED BY PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID MADAGASCAR AND ITS PEOPLE. "MADAGASCAR, and its People. Lyons M^LeodJaqT F.RG S. Kn,ilitlt Xtlef MADAGASCAR AND ITS PEOPLE. BY LYONS M'LEOD, ESQ., F.R.G.S., LATE BRITISH CONSUL AT MOZAMBIQUE. AUTHOR OF "EASTERN AFRICA, WITH THE NARRATIVE OF A RESIDENCE AT MOZAMBIQUE; "NOTES ON THE SEYCHELLES;" "THE RESOURCES OF EASTERN AFRICA;" "ON THE SUPPLY OF COTTON FROM AFRICA;" AND NUMEROUS STATE PAPERS ON AFRICAN SUBJECTS. WITH A MAP, (lAM'.N, UY PERMISSION. Kl:oM I1IK .nuKN.U. OF THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, VOL. XX.) LONDON: LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, ROBERTS, A: GREEN. 1865. [The riijht f Tn.imli- reed.] LONDON: w. j. JOHNSON, PRINTER, 121, FLEET-STREET, E.C. TO THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF CLARENDON, E.G., &c., &c., &c. MY LORD, While studying the "Madagascar question," I neces- sarily became aware that your Lordship had specially thrown the weight of your influence in favour of the people of that Island ; hence my offer to dedicate this Work to your Lordship. Richelieu and Mazarin, in a bygone age, saw the advantages of trade with Madagascar ; but it was reserved for the enlightened Emperor of the French, in conjunction with your Lordship, to arrange a Convention recognising the independence of Madagascar, thereby throwing open the ports of that Island to the civilization of commerce. In accepting the Dedication of this Volume, your Lordship permits me to use a name illustrious in the historical and diplo- matic annals of Britain; while you have kindly added to the numerous favours conferred on myself by allowing it to appear under the auspices of " THE FRIEND OF MADAGASCAR." I have the honour to be, my Lord, Your most obedient, humble Servant, THE AUTHOR. 8, ADKLrni TFRRACE J tui ii i-tf, 1865. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE Madagascar Its Geographical Position Known to the Ancients Marco Polo Pedro de Covilham Bar- tholomew Diaz Yasco de Gama Fernan Suarez Rodrigo Pereira Coutinho Admiral Da Cunha Camoens Diego Lopez de Siquera Macinorbe Destruction of the Portuguese English Settlement in St. Augustine Bay 1 9 CHAPTER II. Cardinal Richelieu French East India Company Fort Dauphin Pronis Mutiny and Imprisonment of the Governor Roger Le Bourg restores Pronis to the Government Origin of the Pirates of Bourbon Origin of the Maroons of Mauritius Estienne de Flacourt Sergeant La Roche Gallant Encounter Magnanimity of Malagasy Prince The Element* prevent Flacourt's return to France Arrival of La Forest des Royers Martyrdom of Father Etienne Colony saved by M. Levacher, called by the Mala- gasy Lacase ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 18 CHAPTER III. La Companie Orienttile Jean Baptiste Colbert Inland "Water Communication uniting tlir Mediterranean and the Atlantic M. de Beausse can-it's out the Gn;it vi 11 CONTENTS. PAGE Seal of France Lacase made Major of the Island The Company ceded to the King Delahaie retires to Surat Destruction of Champmargou and Lacase M. de la Bretasche, son-in-law of Lacase, retires from the island Massacre of the French at Midnight Mass Isle St. Mary ceded to the French M. de Maudave Measures of Conciliation Abandoned by the French Government, he quits the Colony ... 19 24 CHAPTER IV. The French Government authorise Benyowski to form a Settlement in Antongil Bay Autobiography of Count Mauritius Augustus de Benyowski Banished to Kamschatka The Russian Governor Aphanasia Nilow Conspiracy to seize the Government of the Colony and escape to the Marian Islands The Red Ribbon Corporal, with four Grenadiers, are seized Panic of the Garrison Splitting the Governor's Skull Embassy of a "Woman and Drummer to the Cos- sacks The Archbishop preaches in favour of Revo- lution Seizure of the Corvette Escape of Ben- yowski Arrival in France Appointed to the Government of the French Settlements in Madagas- car Jealousy of the French Officials at the Isle of France Arrival at Antongil Bay Success with the Natives Turpitude of M. Poivre, Governor of the Isle of France Benyowski is elected King of Mada- gascar Account of the Ceremony Proceeds to Europe and America Benjamin Franklin Ben- yowski returns to Madagascar Invasion of the French Death of Benyowski 2o 46 CHAPTER V. French Factories Isles of France and Bourbon captured by the English Massacre of the English at Port CONTENTS. IX PAGE Loquez Captain Lesage sent to demand satisfaction The Hovas Dianamponine Radama Embassy from Mauritius The Oath of Blood Sergeant Brady Jean Rene James Hastie Treaty Abolishing the Slave Trade Major-General Hall Dishonourable Conduct Honourable Conduct of Radama Return of Sir Robert Farquhar to Mauritius Mr. Hastie and Radama Eloquence of Rafarala Renewal of the Treaty, llth October, 1820 War with the Sackalaves Radama lowers the French Flag at Fort Dauphin French unsuccessful in raising an Insur- rection in the North-east end of the Island Death of Mr. Hastie Death of Radama Prince Corroller's description of Radama Lieutenant Boteler, R.N., his description of Interview with Radama Con- cluding Remarks on Radama ... ... ... 47 73 CHAPTER VI. Fmm the Death of Radama to the Expulsion of the Missionaries and the taking possession of Nossi-be by the French 74 94 CHAPTER VII. Difficulties in the way of Commerce Memorial of Jacob Heppick H.M.S. Conway arrives at Tamatave Captain Kelly, R.N., and Judge Philibert H.M.S. Conway returns to Mauritius Further restrictions to Trade H.M.S. Conway and French Ships of War Berceau and Zelee in Tamatave* Roadstead Failure of Negotiations Hova Forts Joint Pro- test Attack on the Fort Account of the Action Revolting Spectacle 95 X CONTEXTS. CHAPTER VIIT. PAGE Interruption of Friendly Relations with the Malagasy and Europeans The Great Christian Persecutions of 1 849 Constancy of the Martyrs 11 61 28 CHAPTER IX. Diplomatic Failures Commerce the Peacemaker Re- newal of Friendly Relations Earnest Christians . 129 136 CHAPTER X. The Earl of Clarendon and Madagascar Prince Rakoto Rainiharo M. Laborde : some Account of his Eventful Career M. Lambert and his Concession Madame Ida Pfeiffer The Conspiracy to Dethrone the Queen Its Discovery and Fury of the Queen Fate of the Conspirators Death of Queen Rana- volona-Manjaka 137 169 CHAPTER XI. Precautions for the Safety of the Crown Prince Ac- cession of Prince Rakotond and Imprisonment of Rambosalama Joy of the Christians Embassies from England and France Coronation of the King and Queen Treaties of Commerce and Friendship Radama II. abandons himself to Drunkenness and Debauchery Machinations of the Idol Party and proposed Massacre of the Christians Revolu- tion of 1863 Death of the King Accession of Queen Rabodo and Constitution of May 12, 1863 . 170 194 CONTENTS. X 1 CHAPTER XII. PAOI Ankara, or Vohemare Magnificent Forests River Tingbale Volcanic Effects The Natural Fortress of Ambatouza Magnificent Harbours, affording great Facilities for Commerce Diego Suarez An- tanvarasti Antongil Bay Benyowski's success there Port Choiseul Mary Island, or Isle Ma- rosse Tintingue Betsimsaraka Great Fertility Principal Rivers Whale and Turtle abound on the Coast Fenerive the Healthiest Town on the Sea Coast Foulepoint formerly Favourite Place for Shipping Slaves Description of Tamatave Chief Fisatra, Fische, or Fish Chain of Lakes Mulberry Trees planted at Ambohibohazo by Mr. Hastie Marmittes Antatsimou : Great Poverty of the Natives caused by Love of Ardent Spirits River Mangourou Forest of Fondiana Anosy Fort Dauphin Sheep covered with Wool as at Natal 195-223 CHAPTER XIII. The Central Provinces of Madagascar Antananarivo Ankova -Ikoupa navigable from Bembatok Bay to within Sixty Miles of the Capital Vale of Betsimitatatra Tradition respecting Rapeto and Rasoalao Clan of Zanak'antitra Antsianaka, Wool and Cotton-producing District Ibara ... 224 2.V> CHAPTER XIV. North-west Coast of Madagascar Secure Harbours Navigable Rivers Sugarcane Gum-resin Tor- toiseshell Passandava Bay Facilities for Docks Volcanic Action Dalrymple Bay Mouransang Xll CONTENTS. TAGE American Traders Want of Labour Jealousy of a Foreign Flag Destruction of the French by order of the Queen Movements of Port Mouransang Malagasy Attacks on the Portuguese Settlements at Mozambique Seizure of the Corvette L' Ambus- cade Seizure of the French Slaver La Bonne Mere Small-pox communicated to the Malagasy, and Fatal Effects Narunda Bay Majambo Bay Rivers running into it Giving access to Mag- nificent Forests Bembatok Bay Arab Settle- ments American Trade Captain Owen, R.N., during Survey of the East Coast of Africa, supplied by American Traders Majunga : its Position and its Strength Mondzangai'e American Cargoes of Notions Kiakombi Coal Boyanna Bay Menabe Iron carried from here to India The Effect of War on Menabe Fe'e'regne Robert Drury 236292 CHAPTER XV. Examination of French Claims on Madagascar. . . ... 293 298 CHAPTER XVI. Examination of British Claims on Madagascar... ... 299 305 MADAGASCAE. CHAPTER I. Madagascar Its Geographical Position Known to the Ancients Marco Polo Pedro de Covilham Bartholomew Diaz Yasco de Gama Fernan Suarez Rodrigo Pereira Coutinho Admiral Da Cunha Camoens Diego Lopez de Siquera Macinorbe Destruction of the Portuguese English Settle- ment in St. Augustine Bay. MADAGASCAR, called the Great Britain of Africa, is the principal island in the group known as the Ethiopian Archipelago. It is separated from the East Coast of Africa by the Mozambique Channel, and is distant from the nearest part of that continent 100 leagues, from the Cape of Good Hope 600 leagues, from Arabia 550 leagues, and from the continent of India 700 leagues. The commentators of ancient geographers have recognised the Island of Madagascar under the re- spective names given to it by the "writers of bygone ages ; for, although the ideas entertained by them of its position were by no means definite, still they all agree that it was the largest island in the west part of the Ery threan or Southern Sea ; and we find it known to Pliny as Cerne, to Ptolemy as Menuthias, and to Edrisi as Zaledz. 2 MADAGASCAR. To the Arabs and Moors it has long been known under the names of Serandib,* Chebona, Comor, Comr, or Camar, which has been translated the Island of the Moon. These early navigators also knew Madagascar under the names of Phelon or Phenbalon,f and QuambalonJ or Chambalon. Edrisi, who lived in the thirteenth century (writing of this island under the names of Zaledz, Zanedz, Zabelz, or Baledz), states that, when affairs in China were troubled by rebellion, and tyranny and confusion became unbearable in India, the inhabitants of China transported their commerce to Zaledz and its neigh- bouring islands, and, entering into friendly re- lations, completely familiarised themselves with the natives. The inhabitants of Europe were first made ac- quainted with the existence of this large island by Marco Polo, the celebrated Venetian traveller, who had heard of it in China as the Island of Magaster, by which name "it is mentioned in an account of his travels which was published at the close of the fifteenth century. * Rochon states that the Arabs called it Serandah, but there is good reason to believe that they knew Ceylon under this name. See D'Herbelot Bib. Orient. t Malte Brun. } Edrisi See Introduction a la Geographic whole island, the formation of a large native army on the European model, the reduction of the Ian- 70 MADAGASCAR. guage to considerable form and order, the establish- ment of a printing-press at the capital, and the diffusion of numerous branches of art and science from enlightened countries, are events which give a marked character to that period, and to the history of the sovereign under whose auspices they occurred. Had the King been better instructed in the prin- ciples of good government, had he sought the stability of his throne in the prosperity of his subjects, had he endeavoured to increase and protect their property and abolish the system of oppressive exaction which renders every kind of service to the Government a species of unrequited slavery, instead of increasing their burdens to augment his own wealth or support his multiplied armies, the foundation of his greatness would have rested on a basis far more solid than the tinsel glitter of military fame or personal aggrandisement, which appeared to be the chief objects of his life.* The subjoined description of Radama is from the journal of Lieutenant Boteler, K.N. : " An opportunity occurred of seeing Eadama, of which I gladly availed myself. Commodore Nourse, who had arranged to meet him at Bemba- tok, arrived there for that purpose a few days after us, and the Prince, who was encamped with his army at a short distance inland, immediately came down to receive him. It was their first interview. The Commodore, with a large suite of * Ellis, Vol. II., p. 400 et seq. RADAMA'S CAPABILITIES. 71 officers, his band, and a guard, proceeded to Bama- natook's house, where Badama awaited his arrival. I entered a few minutes after the introduction had taken place, and during the few insipid remarks that on such occasions generally precede others of a more interesting nature, had time to contemplate at my leisure a prince of whom I had heard so much. Badama, although upwards of thirty, appeared many years younger ; his stature did not exceed five feet five inches, and his figure was slight, elegant, and graceful ; his demeanour was diffident in the extreme, not at all according with the idea that we are apt to form of one accustomed to a military life and its fatigues, much less to a success- ful warrior, the idol of a warlike people, and the terror of surrounding foes. His appearance was altogether that of one better adapted for the courtier than the hero for the statesman than the soldier ; and, more than all, for a domestic life. He spoke and wrote both English and French with facility. While conversing, he kept his head and eyes declined, yet not a word escaped that had not been well weighed and studied. The tone of voice that he assumed was low, hesitating, and cautious, as if to gain time for reflection. His features, Avhich were well formed, remained tranquil and collected, until some part of the conversation of greater interest engaged his attention ; then a tremulous, half-suppressed movement of the lip, and a hasty glance from his dark, expressive eyes, 72 MADAGASCAR. betrayed for an instant a subdued emotion, which almost immediately subsided into the same calm but keenly-observant position. * . . . Radama's troops are all disciplined and instructed in the manual exercise and military tactics by an Englishman residing at the capital, who, in the drill terms, adopts his own language.! . . . The following scene, showing the enlarged views of Radama, and the facility with which his mind grasped ideas, how- ever new to him, is worthy of being recorded. Commodore Nourse, in conversing with Radama, strongly impressed upon his mind how admirably his island was suited, by its numerous harbours, for the purposes of commerce. ' You want but vessels/ continued he, ' seamen to navigate them, and trade will follow of course. Although I can- not supply you with the first, with the second I possibly may, if you will give me the means. Let me have a few of your young men ; they shall be distributed among the squadron under my orders, and if they fail to learn at least something, it must be their own fault. A navy you would soon have, and nothing would yield me greater pleasure than to pay my respects to the Prince of Madagascar on the quarter-deck of a frigate of his own ! ' Radama half rose from his seat. His ecstacy at the idea was too great for utterance ; it glistened in his expressive eye, it flushed on his cheek.J * Owen's Narrative, Vol. II., pp. 118-119. t Idem, p. 121. J Idem, pp. 128-129. RADAMA. 73 This was immediately followed by twenty Hova youths being ordered to serve in the British Navy, evidently with the intention of the commencement of a Malagasy navy. Madagascar is indebted to Eadama for the in- troduction of Christianity into the heart of the country, the abolition of the slave-trade, the esta- blishment of a system of public education, the introduction of the Eoman character for the writing of the Malagasy language, the establishment of a printing-press at Antananarivo, the introduction of many European trades, the re-establishment of water communication by the formation of canals connecting the chain of lakes on the East Coast of the island, the prevention of infanticide, and the abolition of trial by tangia, or poison water. He conquered the whole island, organised an army with English discipline and tactics, laid the foundation of a navy, and left to Madagascar the memory of a monarch whose name will be associated among the benefactors of nations by the side of Alfred the Great of England. 74 CHAPTER VI. FROM THE DEATH OF RADAMA TO THE EXPUL- SION OF THE MISSIONARIES AND THE TAKING POSSESSION OF NOSSI-BE BY THE FRENCH. A.D. 1828 TO A.D. 1840. ON the death of Radama the Great, Ranavolona, one of the eleven wives of that King, succeeded in having herself elected as his successor to the throne of Madagascar. In addition to being one of his wives, she was his cousin by blood relation. No sooner were the remains of Radama com- mitted to their last resting place, than she com- menced the destruction of those who had greater claims to the throne than herself. The nephew of Radama, who was his proper heir, the mother of this prince, who was Radama's sister, and her husband, Prince Ratiffi, as also the aged mother of Radama, were put to death ; the sister of the late King being, at the time of her cruel murder, enciente. The most distinguished personages in the kingdom, and many of the chiefs known to be friendly to the family of the late King, were also cruelly put to death, adding to the hecatomb of victims by whose blood her throne was cemented. CRUELTY OF THE QUEEN. , ~) Thus the suffrages of the people, obtained from them by the idol priests on the 10th of August, 1828, were confirmed. One of the first acts of the Queen was to annul the treaty concluded by Radama with the English. Mr. Robert Lyall, the British Agent, was publicly insulted, and the Queen convoked a Kabar to inform the nation that the violence offered to Mr. Lyall had been by the express directions of the idols. This was followed by an ordinance stating that the treaty made by Radama with the English was annulled, and that it was in consequence of the sorceries used by that nation on Radama that he had abandoned the customs of his ancestors, which had caused his premature death. It was thus that this Jezebel of Antananarivo commenced her reign. And with the death of Radama the whole aspect of missionary affairs was changed at the capital of Madagascar. * To the genius of civilization had succeeded the demon of barbarity and ignorance. The mourning of the nation for Radama was, by the Queen's order, reduced from the ordinary time of one year to six months. And on the llth of June, 1829,' under circumstances of great pomp, Ranavolona- Manjaka was crowned Queen of Madagascar. The Queen addressed the people, after which the oath of allegiance was administered to the governors of the provinces, the chiefs of the tribes, the * Ellis, Vol. II., p. 405. 76 MADAGASCAR. generals, and other great dignitaries of the na- tion. Ramanetak, the favourite cousin of Ra- dama, and, since the murder of his nephew, the rightful heir to the throne of Madagascar, was Governor of Bembatok when Radama died. Al- though a price was offered for his head, more fortunate than the other members of the Royal Family, he succeeded in escaping to Johanna, one of the Comoro Islands, the Sultan of which re- ceived him with great hospitality, and provided for his family and followers, amounting to about one hundred. Ramanetak has ever since been a subject of great uneasiness to the Government of the Queen of Madagascar, as it is well known that the Hovas are much attached to that prince, as are also the Sackalaves in the North of Madagascar. The influence of the English in Madagascar having ceased with the death of the late King, the French Government again renewed their en- deavours to obtain possession of an island which has for two hundred years been looked upon by France as the means of obtaining the empire of the East. On the 15th of June, 1829, a squadron, under the command of M. Gourbeyre, consisting of the frigate La Terpsichore, her tender, L'Infatigable, and the transport Le Madagascar, left Bourbon for the coast of Madagascar. This force having been joined by La Chevarette, La Nievre, and the despatch boat FRENCH ADVANCES. 77 Le Colibre, anchored in the roadstead of Tamatave on the 9th of July. The military expeditionary force on board of this squadron consisted of 420 men. The commander of the expedition waited in person on Andrea Soa, the governor of the province, and announced that his mission was peace, and that he was the bearer of presents for the Queen, and requested passports for some of his officers to con- vey them to her Majesty. The presents had been judiciously chosen, not only to display the beauty of French manufactures, but to excite the cupidity of any ordinary woman, being two magnificent shawls, a court dress of crimson velvet, and another of tulle richly embroidered, and two pieces of gros de Naples. During the visit M. Gourbeyre observed that the Malagasy were quite prepared to give his force a warm reception, the garrison of Tamatave being reinforced, and large supplies of cannon - balls arriving from the capital. This decided him to lose no time, and he accordingly, on the 14th of July, wrote to the Queen, stating his peaceable intentions, and, at the same time, his grievances, giving her Majesty twenty days to reply to him. In the meantime he repaired with his squadron to Tin- tingue, and retook possession of it on the 4th of August. This he fortified, surveyed the bay, and sounded the channels. The Betsimsaracs forget- ful of the former desertion of them by the French, and the severe punishment inflicted on them by 78 MADAGASCAR. Radama were induced to join them. Andriami- kaja, the General-in-Chief of the Hovas, de- manded the reason for the French establishing themselves at Tintingue. M. Gourbeyre appealed to the ancient rights of France on the East Coast of Madagascar, and in his turn demanded satisfac- tion for an insult offered to the French nation, in the person of M. Pincon, who, being shipwrecked on the coast, was sold as a slave by the Hova chief at Fenerive, and was obliged to purchase his liberty with fifty dollars, and also for other acts of cruelty committed on Frenchmen ; and ended by saying that shortly he would repair to Tamatave, in order to obtain satisfaction for all these insults. Mean- while M. Robin, formerly secretary to Radama, was despatched to Johanna to induce Ramanetak, the rightful heir, to raise the Sackalaves in the North, and strike a blow for the sovereignty of the island. Ramanetak willingly adopted this offer, which was not carried out, in consequence of the French not being able to furnish him with more than sixty muskets and twenty barrels of powder, with which inadequate means it would have been madness to expose his adherents to the 20,000 well- disciplined troops which the Queen could bring against him. M. Gourbeyre, having again arrived at Tama- tave, and being informed by Prince Corroller that he had no instructions from the Queen to treat with him, on the 3rd of October he attacked the fort FRENCH REVERSES. 79 at Tamatave, and defeated the Hovas with some slaughter. On the 26th of October he attacked the Hovas at Foulepoint, where he met with a repulse and considerable loss. On the 3rd of No- vember this officer was more successful in an attack on Point a Larree. But the invincible courage of the Hovas was equally displayed on this occasion ; for they perished to a man at their guns, and it was only when their fire was com- pletely silenced that the French succeeded with the bayonet. These partial successes induced the Go- vernment of Madagascar to parley with the French ; but as the sickly season had commenced, the French were only able to take advantage of this feeling in so far as to submit a treaty of commerce and friendship, which was not ratified by the Mada- gascar Government, in consequence, it is stated, of the influence of the English missionaries who still remained in the Hova capital. ~'' r f In 1831 M. le Prince de Polignac, President of the Council, and the first Minister of A.D. lo31. Charles X., wrote a letter to the Queen of Madagascar, in which he declared that France attached the greatest importance to the pos- * Precis Sur les Etablissements Francais & Madagascar, p. 58. f The following laconic style was adopted by the Hova officials towards the French NEGOCIATEUR : " Monsieur Tourette, J'ai requ votre lettre. Les conferences sont termine"es ; vous pouver vous en aller par 1'Est; moi, je m'en retourne parl'Ouest." Si ANDRIANMIIIARA. Madagascar, Possession Fran^aise depuis 10-1-, p. 2G1. 80 MADAGASCAR. session of Madagascar ; that she looked upon this as the natural counterpoise to the colonial posses- sions of England in the East ; and that he would abundantly supply the Queen with arms and ammu- nition, and give her a certain sum of money, if she allowed France to form establishments in St. Augustine Bay, in Diego Suarez Bay, and in two or three other parts of the island, and would secure to the Queen of Madagascar the entire protection of France from all other European Powers on the above conditions. It is not surprising that Ranavolona-Manjaka, having induced the Prince thus to make known to her the most anxious wish of France to be acknow- ledged as the protector of Madagascar, has watched with unceasing vigilance all attempts made by that nation to attain this object. After the French Revolution of July, 1830, it became necessary to husband the resources of that country, and orders were sent out to the Govern- ment, M. Duval Dally, Governor of Bourbon, to withdraw the French ships and troops from Mada- gascar, and to retire from the settlements on that coast. Tintingue was abandoned, and committed to the flames, to prevent its falling into the hands of the natives. On the 3rd of July, 1831, the esta- blishment at St. Mary's was reduced to the least possible expenditure, and the abandonment of it indefinitely adjourned, to enable, in the first place, the French colonists to realise something from their IMATM OF MI'SCAT. 81 possessions there, and subsequently, to keep the flag of France on the coast of Madagascar, thereby main- taining her ancient right over her possessions in that island. This was the end of the expedition of 1829, which left Bourbon for the conquest of Madagascar.*" Two years had barely elapsed after the receipt of the letter from Prince Polignac, A.D. 1833-31. . ottering to the Queen of Mada- gascar the protectorate of France, which was de- clined by her, when a more generous, if not less interested offer, was made by a neigh- bouring potentate, with whom she had been on friendly terms for some considerable time. Syud Seed, Bin Sultan, Bin Ahmed, Imaum of Muscat, had married the granddaughter of the King of Persia ; but in consequence of a quarrel between his Highness and the King of Persia about the English, he had lost his wife, who was detained in Persia. Under these circumstances, he despatched an Ambassador in his Highness's frigate Pied- montese, mounting 36 guns, to endeavour to form an alliance with Ranavolona-Manjaka. The Am- bassador was directed to proceed to the coast of Antananarivo, and there offer his master's hand in marriage to the Queen of Madagascar. The Queen replied that slir had been made happy by hearing from one who had long been in friendship with her father, and she hoped always to hear of his * I>. 82 MADAGASCAR, welfare, and wished he could pay a visit to Antan- anarivo. Her ministers assured the Ambassador that it was contrary to the custom of their country for the Queen to marry, but that there was a young princess whom the Imaum of Muscat might have in marriage. The widowed Queen refused to be comforted, and it was after this event that she became more devoted to the worship of the idols. Soon after the arrival of the first English mis- sionaries in Madagascar, A.D. 1819, Radama made a law which allowed them to remain ten years without becoming subject to the laws and customs of the country ; but requiring them, at the ex- piration of that period, to conform to the law of the land or leave the country, unless permission to remain was granted. In the year 1829, Mr. Griffiths, one of the missionaries, having been ten years in the country, requested to know the Queen's wishes, and received, in reply to his inquiry, a message directing him to tie up his baggage and return to his native country. After much nego- tiation, Mr. Griffiths was allowed to remain, first for one year, afterwards for a longer period." 5 " Similarly another missionary, Mr. Calien, some time subsequently, had a message sent to him from the Queen, that, having been ten years at Madagascar, he w T as expected to leave the island. Attention was called by the Government to the edict of Radama, forbidding the use of all intoxi- * Ellis, Vol. II., p. 480. THE SILVER SPEAR. 83 eating drinks on pain of death ; and this was made a pretext for preventing the native Christians partaking of the Holy Communion. The" natives were also forbidden to be baptized into the Christian religion. These were the signs of the coming storm. The Queen does not appear to have cherished any unfriendly feeling towards the missionaries person- ally, and often seemed disposed to tolerate their exertions ; but she was the zealous votary of the idols, on whose favour she was taught to believe her continuance in power depended. Among her ministers were three brothers ; the eldest was Com- mander-in-Chief of the forces, the second first officer of the palace, and the third a judge. Two of them were the Queen's paramours, and all were pledged to raise the idols and former super- stitions of the country to their original importance. These brothers exercised, in the name of the Queen, supreme power in Madagascar ; they appear from the time of Radama's death to have seized every occasion for impeding the progress of Christianity, and to have aimed at the ultimate expulsion of the missionaries, and the extinction of the Christian faith." In this state of affairs, a chief of rank and influence presented himself at the palace, requesting to see the Queen, and on her Majesty's appearing, lie is reported to have addressed her to the fol- lowing effect: "I am come to ask your Majesty * Ellis, Vol. II., p. 487. o 2 8 4 MADAGASCAR. for a spear, a bright and sharp spear ; grant my request." On its being inquired why he wanted a spear, he answered that he had seen the dis- honour done by the influence of the foreigners to the idols, the sacred guardians of the land, to the memory of her Majesty's illustrious ancestors, whereby the nation would be deprived of their protection, to which alone they owed their safety ; that the hearts of the people were already turned from the customs of their ancestors and from her Majesty, their successor ; that by their instructions, their brotherhood, and their books, the foreigners had already secured to their interests many men of rank and wealth in the army and the offices of Government, many among the farmers and peasantry, and vast numbers of the slaves. That all this was only preparatory to the arrival of forces from their country, which, as soon as the missionaries should send word that all was ready, would come over and take possession of the king- dom. This, it was added, would be easy, as the people would be already alienated from their own Government, and prepossessed in favour of the foreigners. The chief is said to have added : " Such will be the issue of the teaching by the foreigners, and I do not wish to live to see that calamity come upon our country ; to see our own slaves employed against us ; therefore I ask a spear to pierce my heart, that I may die before that evil day comes." On hearing these reports GRAND KAHAR. 8.3 it is stated that the Queen was so strongly excited with grief and rage, that she wept repeatedly, and remained silent for a cooking of rice (about half- an-hour), and then declared that she would put an end to Christianity, if it cost the life of every Christian in the island. The most profound silence reigned in the palace and throughout the Court ; the music was ordered to cease ; all amusements, dancing, &c., in the court-yard discontinued for about a fortnight ; the whole Court appeared as if overtaken by some great national calamity, while consternation and alarm was visible among all classes of society. During the fortnight above referred to, edicts were issued and measures taken to destroy, as far as human power could destroy it, the existence of Christianity in the country."" On Thursday, the 6th of February, 1835, an edict was issued by the Queen Ranavolona- A.D. 1835. . J . . Manjaka, communicating to the mis- sionaries and foreigners the intentions of her Majesty relative to the Word of God being for the future forbidden to be taught in the Island of Madagascar. On the 1st of March following a vast assembly, about 150,000, including all ranks, civil and military, old and young, were gathered at the capital, to hear an edict addressed to the people, calling upon those who had learnt to read, eng; or united in prayer, observed the Sabbath, or any other Christian ordinance, to confess to what exunt * Ellis Vol. IT., 1-. i '- leq, 86 MADAGASCAR. they had indulged in these practices. They were required to state explicitly the extent to which they had followed the instructions of the missionaries, and were fined or degraded in rank accordingly. Those who held any honours or ranks in the service of the sovereign were publicly degraded, and re- duced nearly two-thirds in their ranks and income. Among the people, those who did not hold offices under Government were fined according to the ex- tent to which they had attended to the duties of Christianity. It is supposed that upwards of four hundred officers were degraded on this occasion/" All were compelled to deliver up the Bibles in their possession. Deprived of every means of usefulness among the people, the missionaries directed all their energies to the completion of the Holy Scriptures. No natives were allowed to assist them at the press, but they cheerfully undertook the labour of printing the remaining portions themselves. The Government was still willing to engage the missionary artisans to promote the casting of iron and other arts ; but as it was stipulated that these should be taught without the least connexion with Christianity or any religious instruction, Messrs. Cameron and Chick declined remaining any longer in the country ; and after a fruitless application to the Government of the Queen to be allowed to con- tinue, to some extent, the communication of religious instruction of the natives, the missionaries, with the * Ellis, Vol. II., p. 500. DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES. 87 exception of two engaged on the printing-press, left the Island of Madagascar, on the 27th of August, 1835, for scenes of greater usefulness. Mr. Baker laboured with great assiduity at the press, and finished the Malagasy and English Dic- tionary. His companion, Mr. Johns, was employed in superintending the schools and preparing other use- ful works in the language. No sooner had the other missionaries left the island than the worshippers of the idols wreaked their vengeance on the late ser- vants of these Apostles of Christ. They were all required to submit to the ordeal of the Tangena, or poison water, to prove their fidelity to the Queen ; on which occasion two of the natives, who had lived in the family of Mr. Freeman (the head of the mission), being declared guilty, were barbarously murdered. The rest escaped with no other injury than that which usually follows the poison, even where it does not prove fatal. Shortly after these events, Messrs. Johns and Baker received indirect intimation that it was the wish of the Government that they should leave the island. All means of usefulness to the people were for the present at an end, and the lives of the native Christians who were known to have any intercourse with them were constantly placed in jeopardy by the treachery and hostilities of their enemies. Un- able to discover any favourable change in the views of the Government, uncheered by any prospect of resuming their labours, and lindinir that 88 MADAGASCAR. presence increased the troubles of the native Chris- tians, without securing any equal advantages, the remaining brethren, after much prayer and frequent deliberation with the native Christians, felt it their duty to retire to Mauritius, at least for a season. Influenced by these considerations, Messrs. Johns and Baker, with feelings of poignant anguish, left the capital in the month of July, 1836. From this period we may date affliction to the Island of Mada- gascar. The missionaries, since 1819, had been in the hands of Jehovah, a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to lead this people from their life of bondage and darkness to one of Christianity and civilization. Like the Israelites of old, having raised up to themselves the graven calf of their own imaginations, and driven the angel of the Lord from their tabernacle, they are permitted to wander in a wilderness of the darkest superstition, from which all sincere Christians will fervently pray for their speedy deliverance. Since the death of Radama, we find the Government of Ranavolona opposed to the establishment of foreigners in the Island of Mada- gascar, the British agent, Mr. Lyall, insulted and driven away, the missionaries expelled, and every impediment thrown in the way of traders establishing themselves, even on the coast. It is affirmed that M. Delastelle, a Frenchman, who had the good fortune to please the Queen, and was raised by her to the rank of andrian, or prince, has been the principal agent in causing the great EMBASSY TO ENGLAND. obstructions placed in the way of mercantile esta- blishments being formed by Europeans at Tamatave. * M. Delastelle farmed the revenue raised at Tama- tave by the Customs House, and in order to profit by the monopoly which such a position gave him, he was opposed to all Europeans entering Madagas- car. Be this as it may, his fine sugar plantations near Tamatave are now lying in ruins, his heirs having quarrelled among themselves as to the division of the property. About the time of the departure of the mis- sionaries from Madagascar viz., in the summer of 1836 the Queen of that island despatched an Em- bassy to England and to France. Various reasons have been given as to the cause of the Queen taking this step ; but it was doubtless felt by her advisers that some explanation of the change of policy adopted by her Majesty was not only due, but was expected by the Governments of England and France, who were fully alive to the benefits to be derived by their colonies situated in those seas from the prudent steps adopted by Radama for the development of the resources of Madagascar. The Embassy consisted of six officers of various ranks. The French ship Mathilde was chartered by the Queen to take them from Tamatave to England and France and back. The Embassy arrived at Port Louis, in the Mauritius, during the month of October, where they were courteously received by " llistoirc Politique cle Madaira^.ir," }-ar M. Dechamp>, \\ 180. 90 MADAGASCAR. the Governor, Sir "William Nicolay. After a short stay, the Mathilde proceeded to October, 1836. , the Cape of Good Hope, where they received similar attentions from the Governor of that colony, Sir Benjamin D' Urban. After leaving the Cape, they touched at Havre de Grace, and thence proceeded in the steam-packet to London, which they reached in February, 1837. The following are copies of the Queen of Mada- gascar's letters to the English and French Govern- ments : " TO KING WILLIAM IV., KING OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, tho stream of people ; some prompted by the desire of 124 MADAGASCAR. excitement, others by their hatred to the Christians, but many, no doubt, by deep sympathy ; and here, crowding the dreadful spot, almost to the edge of the giddy precipice, stood the gathered throng. But let us turn from them to the prison. Meek, like their Divine Master, though seized with rude violence and flung upon the ground, no complaint escapes the sufferer's lips. But far different sounds are heard. As they sit upon the ground, with heart and voice they unite in singing a favourite hymn, which thus begins : " When I shall die and leave my friends, When they shall weep for me, When departed has my life, Then I shall happy be !" And when that hymn was ended they began another, the first line of which is : " When I shall, rejoicing, behold Him in the heavens." But these sounds of sacred melody were now drowned by the hoarse voice of the Queen's messenger, who, in the name of Eanavolona, is pronouncing upon each the sentence they were to suffer. Four of them were nobles, two of whom were husband and wife. As it was unlawful to shed the blood of persons of their rank, they were to be burned alive, and the remaining fifteen to be thrown from "the place of hurling down." As the officer was leaving the prison, the nobles sent a request to the Queen that they might be strangled before their bodies were CONSTANCY OF THE MARTYRS. 125 burned ; but even such mercy was denied. The fifteen, wrapped in mats, and with mats thrust into their mouths, to prevent their speaking to each other or to the people, were then hung by their hands and feet to poles, and carried to the place of execution. But the attempt wholly to stop their mouths failed, for they prayed and addressed the crowd as they were borne along. "And some," we are told, " who beheld them, said that their faces were like the faces of angels." Thus they reached ARAPIMARINANA. A rope was then firmly tied round the body of each, and, one by one, fourteen of them were lowered a little way over the precipice. "While in this position, and when it was hoped by their persecutors that their courage would fail, the executioner, holding a knife in his hand, stood waiting for the command of the officer to cut the rope. Then for the last time the question was addressed to them, "Will you cease to pray?" But the only answer returned was the emphatic " No." Upon this the signal was given, the rope was cut, and in another moment the mangled and bleeding body lay upon the rocks below. One of these brave sufferers for Christ, whose name was Eamonambonina, as he was led to the edge of the precipice, begged his executioners to give him a short time to pray ; " for on that account," he said, " I am to be killed." His request being granted, he kneeled down and prayed aloud very earnestly; and having risen from his knees, he addressed the people with 126 MADAGASCAR. such powerful and subduing eloquence, that all were amazed, and many struck with awe. Then, turning to his executioners, he said, "My lody you will cast down this precipice; but my soul you cannot, as it will go up to heaven to God. Therefore it is gratifying to me to die in the service of my Maker." What people thought and said as they left that spot and returned to their homes, we are not told, but who can doubt that from that hour the truth of the religion of Jesus was more clearly seen, and its power more deeply felt, by some than it had been before.* Mr. Ellis and the Bishop of Mauritius visited this spot, and the latter thus refers to it : " It was a very harrowing spectacle to witness the actual rock from which our brethren and sisters have been thrown with so much cruelty to meet so fearful a death ; but the evidence was clear that they died with unfailing faith and triumphant hope. The brother of one of the sufferers was with us a manly and devoted Christian he seemed to be. I saw him every day, I believe, while I was in Antananarivo, and sometimes twice a-day and oftener. He brought his children to see me, and from all that I saw of him, I was led to form the highest opinion of his straight- forward, earnest, Christian character; but when he afterwards came to the spot to which the bodies had been taken to be burnt, he wept like a child at the recollection of his brother's sufferings. One severe part of the fiery trial through which these Christians * " Madagascar : its Mission and its Martyrs." CHRISTIAN FORTITUDE. 127 passed on to their rest with God, was their being placed where they could sec the fall of their brethren, and then being asked whether they would not recant. All such attempts to move them proved ineffectual. They seemed so filled with the love of their Saviour, and with joyful hope of heaven, that they utterly despised all offers of life on such conditions. One very striking instance I heard of from an old officer of the palace, as well as from our companions on that day. A young woman, who was very beautiful and accomplished, and who was very much liked by the Queen, was placed where she could see her com- panions fall, and was asked, at the instance of the Queen who wished to save her, but could not exempt her from the common sentence against the Christians whether she would not worship the gods and save her life. She refused, manifesting so much determination to go with her brethren and sisters to heaven, that the officer standing by struck her on the head, and said, ' You are a fool ! You are mad ! ' And they sent to the Queen and told her that she had lost her reason, and should be sent to some place of safe keeping. She was sent away, strongly guarded, into the countiy, some thirty miles, and afterwards was married to a Christian man, and died only two years ago, leaving two or three children behind her.* Scene upon scene of horrid heathen persecution on the one hand, and of calm, patient, self-denying, * For a full account of these persecutions, see " Madagascar : its Mission and its Martyrs." London, 18G3. 128 MADAGASCAR. Christian fortitude on the other faithful even unto death might be presented to the reader, but our space will not permit of it. Suffice it to say that "Thirty-seven preachers, with their wives and families, were consigned to a life of slavery. More than a hundred were flogged with the whip, and sentenced to work in chains during their lives. Some who were made slaves might purchase back their liberty, and the liberty of their wives and children, if money enough could be found, but the slavery of others was irredeemable. Many were heavily fined, and those who had been among the great and noble of the land were stripped of their honours and titles, and not only reduced in rank, but forced to the hardest and meanest labour. Altogether, in the early spring of 1849 that fearful year which the Christians truly called the year of 'the great persecution' 1,903, according to the lowest estimate, but more probably upwards of 2,000, were punished, because they had either professed or favoured the religion of Jesus.' 7 * * " Madagascar : its Mission and its Martyrs," p. 91. 129 CHAPTER IX. Diplomatic Failures Commerce the Peacemaker Renewal of Friendly Relations Earnest Christians. THE commercial history of Madagascar since the un- successful attack of the English and A.D loDo. French on the fort at Tamatave, in 1846, until 1853, may be considered a perfect blank, not only as concerning foreigners if perhaps we except Americans on the West Coast but even in respect to the natives themselves. Progress was at an en- tire standstill. Idol worship and superstition were covering the land as with a thick mantle of dark- ness, obscuring the little light which missionary efforts and commercial enterprise had let in upon the island. Diplomacy had tried every effort at conciliation, and at last the English and French Governments ceased to hold any communication with the Government of the Queen, Ranavolona- Manjaka. Commerce, the daughter of necessity, cradled by want, again lifts the veil in Madagascar. What the Governments of the contending parties could not effect was amicably arranged by the peaceful merchants of both countries. At Mauritius and Reunion an effort was made by the merchants, K 130 MADAGASCAR. in concert with some of the more enlightened native chiefs in Madagascar, to bring about a re- conciliation, and after much, but earnest, negotia- tion, it was arranged that the Government of the Queen was willing again to open the trade of Madagascar to all nations on the payment of an indemnity to the Queen of Madagascar by the merchants at Mauritius, for they were held as the prime movers of the attack on the fort at Tamatave in 1846. This indemnity was fixed at 15,000 dollars. Mr. Cameron, who formerly belonged to the English Mission at Antananarivo, was associated with Mr. Mangeot, a member of the Chamber of Commerce at Mauritius, and these gentlemen, ac- companied by the treasure, sailed for Tamatave, in the Nimble, on the 10th of October, and returned to Port Louis, Mauritius, on the 19th of November, 1853, having paid the sum required by the Queen as compensation for 'the injury inflicted on the country. The trade was now opened to the commerce of all nations ; prices were to be fixed between buyer and seller ; ten per cent, duty was to be levied on all exports and imports; and no natives of Madagascar were to be taken out of the country. The following is the letter establishing friendly relations with Europeans : "Antananarivo, 23 Asoratany, 1854 (23 Oct., 1854). " To Messrs. J. Cameron and A. Mangeot, and the people who sent them with this payment for FRIENDLY RELATIONS. 1 ,,1 the offence committed by William Kelly, and Romain Desfosses, and their companions in three ships. " I have to inform you that I have told our superior officers, and that our superior officers have told our Queen, respecting the 15,000 dollars pro- posed to be paid by you for (or on account of) the offence of Romain Desfosses, and William Kelly, and their companions in three ships, you having declared that this payment gives you no claim either on the land nor on the kingdom. "Now, in regard to the 15,000 dollars, our superior officers have directed that the money be received, so we will receive it, and the trade will be opened. " And thus will the trade be opened. As the custom duties do not belong to others (or to sub- jects), but to the Queen of Madagascar, so we will take the custom duties, both on imports and ex- ports, as formerly for we change not. " And in regard to the exportation of slaves beyond the sea, Kadama disliked that practice, and our Queen has made no alteration ; therefore, we cannot export slaves beyond the sea. "And this also has to be told to you. A certain European, a Frenchman, has taken posses- sion of a place at Ibaly, as a port for ships, where he is residing, and erected a house and a magazine. Our superior officers have, therefore, sent to drive him away beyond sea. We shall not kill him, but K '2 132 MADAGASCAR. his property shall be taken as our spoil, for he has taken possession of a port. But though we have said we shall not kill him, yet, if he kills any of the soldiers, the soldiers will kill him. And this is told to you lest you should say, Why, after trade is opened, do you again destroy the property of Euro- peans ? "And this also has to be told you, If any European shall land at any place within the boundary of Madagascar, where there are not soldiers stationed, and take possession of that place as a fort, such conduct will be an offence, and his property will be taken as our spoil, and he him- self will be driven away beyond the sea. " And this also has to be told you, that, as each Sovereign has established the law of the land, whether it be our Sovereign or your Sovereign, so in our land the things we do not sell are not to be shipped upon the sea ; and in regard to the things you do not sell, you, of course, need not bring them for sale. " Farewell, health, &c., to you, saith " RAINIKIETAKA, 13 Honour, Officer of the Palace."* Friendly relations being thus established between Madagascar and its satellites, Mauritius and Reunion, * Mr. Vie*h, President of the Chamber of Commerce at Port Louis, kindly placed this letter, and much practical information relative to Madagascar, at the disposal of the author during his visit to Mauritius, in 1859. FRIENDLY RELATIONS. 1 3,'j the peaceful missionaries foremost among whom was the Rev. William Ellis at once found their way into the island and an honoured welcome at Antananarivo. Describing his first visit to Tamatave, Mr. Ellis says that nothing struck him so much as the earnest, repeated, and importunate applications for the Scriptures and Christian books, which reached him from all quarters. " One fine-looking young officer," he writes, in a letter to the Directors of the London Missionary Society, " who had come from a distance, on hearing that we were at Tamatave, almost wept, when, in reply to his earnest request for a book, Mr. Cameron told him that he had not a single copy left." * While Mr. Ellis was at Mauritius, he received a letter from a Christian who had nearly lost his sight, in consequence of having devoted years in copying portions of Scripture for his Christian brethren. One evening while at Tamatave, two men called at Mr. Ellis's house. On being admitted, they told him that, having heard that he had brought the Bible to their land, they had travelled a long distance in order to get a copy. As they were strangers to him, he thought that possibly they might be spies, and that if he complied with their request, he might be banished from the island. He told them, therefore, that he could not give them * " Madagascar : its Mission and its Martyrs." 134 MADAGASCAR. what they wanted then, but that they might call upon him again on the following morning. In the meantime, he made inquiries about them from some of the Christians of the place, and learned that they were excellent men, and members of a family that feared the Lord greatly ; that they lived at the capital, and having come down about a hundred and fifty miles towards the coast on business, and having there heard that Mr. Ellis was at Tamatave with the Word of God, they resolved to travel more than a hundred miles further, in the hope that they might secure this treasure for themselves. Of course Mr. Ellis was delighted to hear such a report of these worthy men, and was ready, Avhen they came again on the following morning, to give them what they wanted. Before doing this, however, he learned from them that their family was large and scattered, but that all the members of it were Christians. When asked whether they had the Scriptures, they told Mr. Ellis that they had seen them and heard them, but all they possessed were "some of the words of David," which, however, did not belong to themselves alone, but to the whole family. He further ascertained that this sacred fragment was sent from one to another, and that each, after keeping it for a time, passed it on, until it had been read by all. Mr. Ellis then inquired whether they had these " words of David " with them. This was a question which they seemed unwilling to answer ; but at length they confessed EARNEST CHRISTIANS. ] !J J they had. Mr. Ellis having requested to see the book, they looked at one another, and appeared as if they knew not what to do. At length one of them thrust his hand deep into his bosom, and from beneath the folds of his lamba drew forth a parcel. This he very slowly and carefully opened. One piece of cloth after another having been gently unrolled, at length there appeared a few leaves of the Book of Psalms, which the good man cautiously handed to Mr. Ellis. Though it was evident that the greatest care had been taken of them, their soiled appearance, worn edges, and other marks of frequent use, showed plainly enough how much they had been read. We can only fancy the feelings with which our friend looked upon these few dingy and well-worn leaves, revealing as they did the deep love their possessors felt for God's Word, and the diligence with which they kept and used it. Desiring to possess these precious frag- ments, Mr. Ellis asked the men whether they had not seen other words of David besides those which they now produced, and also the words of Jesus, and of Paul, of Peter, and of John ? Yes, they replied, they had seen them and heard them read, but did not possess them. " Well, then," said Mr. Ellis, holding out the tattered leaves, "if you will give me these few words of David, I will give you all his words, and I will give you besides, the words of Jesus, and of John, and of Paul and of Peter." Upon this he handed to them a copy of the New 136 MADAGASCAR. Testament and the Psalms bound together, and said, " You shall have all these if you will give me this. The men were at first amazed. Then they compared the Psalms they had with those in the book, and having satisfied themselves that all their own words of David were in it, with many more, and that besides these there were other Scriptures which they greatly desired, light beamed in their faces, they took Mr. Ellis at his word, gave him those leaves of the Book of Psalms which had so long yielded them comfort, seized the volume he offered in exchange, bade him farewell, and hastily left the house. In the course of the day he inquired after them, wishing to speak to them again, when the Christians at Tamatave told him that, as soon as they left his house, they set out upon their long journey to the capital, doubtless " rejoicing as one that findeth great spoil." ' * " Madagascar : its Mission and its Martyrs." CHAPTER X. The Earl of Clarendon and Madagascar Prince Rakoto Rainiharo M. Laborde : some Account of his Eventful Career M. Lambert and his Concession Madame Ida Pfeiffer The Conspiracy to Dethrone the Queen Its Dis- covery and Fury of the Queen Fate of the Conspirators Death of Queen Ranavolona-Manjaka. As soon as the intelligence reached England that Madagascar was again open to the commerce of all nations, and especially that friendly relations were re-established between it and the Islands of Mauritius and Reunion, the English Government lost no time in coming to a satisfactory understanding with that of the French as to the relations which were to govern their future operations in connexion with Madagascar. The Earl of Clarendon, the constant and true friend of Madagascar, was at that time Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in England ; and, in con- junction with Count Walewski, who held a similar appointment in France, came to an arrangement on behalf of both countries, by which it was definitively settled that neither Government was to seek for itself any advantage to the detriment of the other, but that they were for the future to act in concert, recognising fully the entire independence of Mada- 138 MADAGASCAR. gascar, as the most just and equitable mode of keeping up friendly relations with that island and encouraging its commerce with the English and French colonies in those seas. As we proceed with the history of Madagascar we cannot but perceive the great benefit conferred upon its people by the enlightened policy of Lord Clarendon and the credit reflected on the Govern- ments of France and England by loyally upholding this mutually beneficial arrangement. In Madagascar the laws regarding marriage and progeny are of a stranger kind than anywhere else in the world : " Thus, for instance, a man may divorce his wife and take another as often as he chooses. The woman may live with another man, though she may not marry again ; but all the children born to her after she has been separated from her husband are looked upon as belonging to him ; the second husband has not the slightest claim to them, and the mother is compelled to deliver them up to her first husband immediately upon his claiming them. When a man dies, too, any children his widow may afterwards have, are looked upon as his ; and it is in consequence of this law that Prince Rakoto, son of Queen Ranavolona, though he was born long after King Radama's death, is looked upon as the son of that monarch." * Prince Rakoto had a rival in his cousin Ram- bosalama, who was the son of the Queen's sister, and * Ida Pfeiffer's "Last Travels," p. 158. PRINCE RAKOTO. Io9 brother of Rakoto's wife ; consequently the Prince's brother-in-law as well as cousin. This man had been nominated as her successor by the Queen at the commencement of her reign ; but when the unex- pected birth of a son gave a rightful heir to the throne of the Hovas viz., the son of the late King's wife Rambosalama lost his title. Between Rakoto and Rambosalama there were constant rivalries, and while the former was now declared by the Queen her successor, and invested with the title of Prince of Madagascar, the latter, resolute, contriving, and unscrupulous, gained over to his side the Queen's chief adviser, Rainiharo, and many who stood near the throne, and with the assistance of the Idol party, held considerable influence with the Queen, whom he closely resembled in his hatred of the Christians. On the other hand, Prince Rakoto had always shown himself friendly to the Christians, and the gentleness of his heart had often averted from them death in its most appalling form, as decreed by the Queen and her advisers. The following instance illustrates these features of the Prince's character : One morning while at breakfast with his friends, a woman in tears entered the room, and casting herself at his feet, told him that many people in her village had been condemned to die, amongst whom were her husband and children, and prayed that he would save their lives. Instantly he ordered some of his attendants to go and deliver the poor people from their terrible fate. They hastened to the spot, but 140 MADAGASCAR. soon returned to say that the prison was surrounded by so many soldiers, that it was impossible for them to get near it. On hearing this, the Prince mounted his horse and rode with haste to the village. As soon as he reached it, he proceeded to the prison, spoke to the guards in an authoritative tone, seized the sword of the officer in command, forced his way to the condemned persons, broke their chains, and told them to make their escape. Then turning to the officer, who stood silent and astonished at the rapidity and boldness of this movement, the Prince said to him, " Should any one inquire who has done this, tell him that it was the son of the Queen ; but do not name it until the prisoners are out of reach." Gradually the example of Rakoto began to operate ; and on the opening of Madagascar again, in 1853, there was a marked change in the manner of the Queen. Though still " breathing out threaten- ings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord," her violence was at this time restrained. This, doubtless, may be ascribed in part to the influence of her son, Prince Rakoto, to the Prince Ramonja, and to other Christian nobles, with whose assistance, in the conduct of the Government, she could not dispense. But the chief cause was the death of Rainiharo, her chief minister and great favourite. From the commencement of the persecution this implacable man had been forward to advise and execute the most severe measures against the hated Christians, and in him the Queen ever found a ready DEATH OF RAIXIIIARO. 1 4 1 instrument of her will. But the close of his direful career gave the Christians a brief respite from her persecution, and awakened a hope that their delive- rance drew nigh. What confirmed this hope was the fact that Roharo, Rainiharo's son, who was a friend of the Prince, and through Rakoto's influence com- mander of the forces, had joined himself to them. Nor was this all. Left without her chief counsellor, and feeling the effects of age and disease, the Queen from this time leaned more than ever upon her son, and to some extent shared the Government with him. In 1853, indeed, it was believed that she had resolved to abdicate in his favour ; and this was so positively stated, that the Directors of the London Missionary Society appealed to their friends for the means of resuming the mission, and sent Messrs. Ellis and Cameron to Madagascar to employ such measures as might be necessary for this purpose. But these hopes were not realised. Nevertheless, the intelligence obtained by Mr. Ellis, both on this and two subsequent visits, was not only of great value, but such as justified the hope that the time to favour Madagascar was at hand.* It was at this juncture in the affairs of Mada- gascar that a European, M. J. Lambert, made his appearance at Antananarivo, whose conduct has had considerable influence on the future of that island, and caused, in the first place, the destruction of the amiable prince, who too easily fell a victim to * "Madagascar : Its Mission and its Martyrs," p. 100. 142 MADAGASCAR. his designs. Before fully introducing him to the reader, it will be necessary somewhat to allude to the career of one of his countrymen who may be considered as his pioneer in Madagascar viz., M. J. Laborde : " Our host, M. Laborde, favoured us with the following account of his life : " He was born in France, and is the son of a well-to-do saddler. In his youth he served for several years as a cavalry soldier in the French army ; but being always prompted by a desire to see something of the world, he gave up the service after his father's death, found a substitute, and embarked for the East Indies. In Bombay he established several workshops, repaired steam-engines, manu- factured weapons, set up saddlery, and did very good business ; but his restless spirit would not let him remain long in one place, so he gave up his work- shops to a friend, and in the year 1831 shipped him- self off to the Indian Archipelago. The ship, driven out of its course by a storm, was wrecked on the coast of Madagascar. M. Laborde not only lost all he possessed, but his liberty into the bargain ; for, as is well known, all shipwrecked men are made slaves of in this hospitable island. M. Laborde was taken, with a few of his companions in misfortune, to Antananarivo to be sold. " Fortunately, tidings of his skill in manufac- turing weapons and other articles reached the Queen's ears. She sent for him to Court, and M. LABORDE. 143 promised him his freedom if he would serve her faithfully for five years. M. Laborde did this. He established a workshop, and furnished the Queen with all kinds of weapons, even to little cannons, and also with powder and other articles. In spite of her general hatred to Europeans, he gained the Queen's confidence, and she soon got to value him so highly, that she took his advice in several im- portant affairs, and he succeeded, not unfrequently, in dissuading her from pronouncing sentences of death. " But it is not only in the Queen's estimation that M. Laborde stands high ; the people and the nobility also set great store by him ; for his many good qualities have made him popular everywhere, and all who need counsel or help come to him, and never come in vain ; he is physician, confiden- tial friend, and helper to them all. " The five years M. Laborde was to pass in the Queen's service extended to ten. His patroness gave him house and homes, lands and slaves ; and as he is married to a native woman, and has a son by his marriage, he will probably remain here to the end of his life, though he has long been free and independent, and may leave the island whenever he chooses to do so. " Besides his manufactories for arms and powder, this industrious man has also established works for glass-blowing, indigo-dyeing, soap and tallow-boil- ing, and a distillery for rum. He wished also to 144 MADAGASCAR. stock the island with European fruits and vegetables, and most of those he planted flourished wonderfully, but his example remained unfollowed. The natives preferred to live on in their pristine indolence, and to continue eating nothing but rice, with the addition of a piece of beef now and then. "If M. Laborde, however, did not succeed in producing all the results he expected from his under- takings, they have at least done good service in showing the capability of this beautiful land for cultivation."* From the foregoing opinion of M. Laborde by an observing woman who had seen him and was able to appreciate the position he held at the capital, it will be at once perceived that he was most favourably circumstanced for introducing a country- man at the Court of Antananarivo. M. Laborde, who had long been acquainted with M. J. Lambert, wel- comed and introduced him to Prince Rakoto in 1854. Appearing to be greatly disgusted with the Queen's cruelties, he sought to induce Prince Rakoto to dethrone his mother and seek a French Protec- torate. It is said and we think with good reason that he obtained from him a proposal to that effect, of the full meaning of which the Prince, from his ignorance of the language, and his condition at the time of signing the proposal, was not aware. f * Ida Pfeiffer's " Last Travels," p. 204 et seq. I " France and Madagascar," in the British Quarterly Review, No. LXXVIL, January 1, 1864. A PROTECTORATE. 1 ] .; It is certain that subsequent to this date viz., in 1856 the Prince was unacquainted with the true meaning of a Protectorate, for Mr. Ellis states : " In the course of our conversation the Prince asked what was the true meaning of protection, as in the case of one nation being under the protection of another nation. This kind of protection I endeavoured to explain to him, as well as I could, as being a sort of modified sovereignty, under the protecting Power, while leaving the people of the protected State to be governed to a certain extent by their own rulers and people, to the exclusion of all other foreign influence."" 5 M. Lambert bore this proposal from Prince Rakoto to France ; but the French Government, acting in good faith, sent him to the British Govern- ment. The Earl of Clarendon, then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, granted M. Lambert an interview, but put an end to the matter by refusing to co-operate with France in the project. f Foiled in his effort to establish a French Protec- torate in Madagascar, M. Lambert determined to secure something for himself, and returning to Antananarivo, he obtained from Rakoto then Prince Royal of Madagascar, but not the sovereign, nor delegated by the Queen to act for her a concession dated June 28, 1855. The extent of the privileges * "Visits to Madau':\s,- : ir,'' p. 350. | " France and Madagascar," in the British Quarterly R> No. LXXVIL, January 1, 1864, L 14G MADAGASCAR. it was supposed to convey will be best understood by a statement of some of its items : " Chap. I. We authorise J. Lambert to form a company, having for its object the working of the mines of Madagascar, the forests, and the lands situated on the coasts and the interior. The said company shall have the right of making roads, canals, building yards, establishments of public utility, of coining money with the King's effigy in a word, it shall do all that it may deem calculated to promote the good of the country. " Chap. II., Art. 1. We grant. and cede to the company the exclusive privilege of working all the mines in Madagascar, including those already known, and those which may be hereafter discovered. " Art. 2. We grant and concede equally to the said company, as well for itself as for those whom it may admit to take part in it, the privilege of choosing, on all the coasts and in the interior of the country, any unoccupied lands to be put into cultiva- tion. In consequence, the company shall become proprietors of the lands which it shall have chosen, as soon as it shall give us notice of having taken possession of them. " Art. 3. The company shall not pay any duties upon the ore produced, nor upon the profits made upon it. "Art. 4. The produce of the working of the mines of Madagascar and upon cultivation shall enjoy the privilege of free exportation without duty. M. LAMBERT'S CONCESSION. l \ 7 Its (the company's) property shall not be liable to be burdened with imposts. What shall be brought in for the company shall pay no duty. " Art. 5. We relinquish to this company all the mines of Soatsimanampiovana, so as to put them into condition for the immediate employment of labourers. We also give to the company the house of Soanierana, to establish there the head-quarters of its administration." * M. Lambert having thus induced the weak Kakoto to make him a complete gift of the whole of Madagascar, returned to Paris for the purpose of carrying out this commercial conquest of the island ; but being convinced after some short stay in France that the financiers were not satisfied witli the security which he was prepared to offer them viz., the concession of Prince Rakoto he determined to return to Antananarivo, endeavour to dethrone the Queen, raise Rakoto to the throne, and then to obtain from him, as King of Madagascar, a con- firmation of the concession of the 28th June, 1855. Having collected many costly presents for the Queen and the Prince, he returned to Madagascar on the 13th May, 1857, on which occasion he was accompanied by Madame Ida Pfeiffer, who entered heartily into the plot for dethroning the Queen, and has laid bare the cunning and duplicity of her friend, * " Compagnio l :j made, and the time for action had almost come in fact, I might expect it every hour. " I confess that a strange feeling came over me when I found myself thus suddenly involved in a political movement of grave importance ; and at the first moment a crowd of conflicting thoughts rushed through my brain. I could not conceal from myself the fact that, if the affair failed, my life would be in the same danger as M. Lambert's ; for in a country like Madagascar, where everything depends on the despotic will of the ruler, no trouble is taken to determine the question of guilty or not guilty. I had come to Antananarivo in the company of one of the chief conspirators ; I had also been present at several meetings ; more was not required to make me an accomplice in the plot, and therefore just as worthy of punishment as the active members themselves. " My friends in the Mauritius had certainly warned me previously against undertaking the journey in M. Lambert's company ; and from what had been reported there, and likewise from some scattered words which M. Lambert had let fall from time to time, I was able to form an idea of what was going on ; but my wish to obtain a knowledge of Madagascar was so great, that it stifled all fear. Now, indeed, there was no drawing back ; and the best I could do was to put a good face upon a bad matter, and trust in that Providence which had already helped me in many and great dangers." * Ma rr.-iiVer's "Last Travds," pi-. iT>S GO. 154 MADAGASCAR. Madame Ida Pfeiffer soon afterwards retired to rest, and, with a troubled conscience, dreamed a horrid dream, somewhat foreshadowing coming events. On the 8th June Prince Rakoto held a grand Kabar of all his friends. On the following day the Queen gave a grand fancy ball in honour of M. Lambert, which made Madame Pfeiffer remark : " What strange contrasts ! On one side a conspiracy hatching on the other, festivals are the order of the day ! " Does the Queen really doubt the existence o f the treaty between Prince Rakoto and M. Lambert, and has she no suspicion of its intended accomplish- ment ? or does she wish to let the conspirators commit some overt act, that she may afterwards satiate her revenge with apparent justice. Events will show." The failure of the coup d'etat is thus described by Madame Pfeiffer : " June 20. This was at length to be the great and decisive day. M. Lambert was nearly recovered from the fever ; so there was to be no more delay, and to-night the long-contemplated coup d'etat was to be carried out. " The two missionaries, who were not to appear to bear any part in these political disturbances, went in the morning to one of the possessions of M. Laborde, distant thirty miles from the capital. It was proposed to send me there too ; but I preferred THE CONSPIRACY. remaining at Antananarivo, for I thought, if the attempt should fail, it would not be difficult to find my head, even if I were a hundred miles from the capital. " The following plan had been devised by the conspirators : The Prince was to dine at eight o'clock in the evening with M. Lambert, Marius, Laborde, and his son, in the garden-house belonging to the latter, and thither all reports from the other conspirators were to be carried, that it might be known if everything was progressing favourably, and that every man was at his post. At the conclusion of dinner, at eleven o'clock at night, the gentlemen were to march home to the upper part of the town, accompanied by music, as if they came from a feast ; and each man was to remain quiet in his own house until two o'clock. At the latter hour all the conspirators were to slip silently into the palace, the gates of which Prince Raharo, the chief of the army, was to keep open and guarded by officers devoted to Prince Rakoto ; they were to assemble in the great courtyard, in front of the apartments inhabited by the Queen, and at a given signal loudly to proclaim Prince Rakoto king. The new Ministers, who had already been nominated by the Prince, were to explain to the Queen that this was the will of the nobles, the military, and the people ; and at the same time the thunder of cannon from the Royal Palace was to announce to the people the change in the Government, and the 156 MADAGASCAR. deliverance from the sanguinary rule of Queen Ranavolona. " Unhappily, this plan was not carried out. It was frustrated by the cowardice or treachery of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. While the gentlemen were still at table, they received from him the disastrous news that, in con- sequence of unforeseen obstacles, he had found it impossible to fill the palace exclusively with officers devoted to the Prince's interest, that he would consequently be unable to keep the gates open to-night, and that the attempt must be de- ferred for a more favourable opportunity. In vain did the Prince send messenger after messenger to him. He could not be induced to risk anything." ' It appears that in the year 1856 Prince Rakoto had placed himself at the head of a similar con- spiracy, and when the night and the hour had arrived the project failed through the sudden defection of the Commander-in-Chief, giving ground for the suspicion that he had on that occasion acted false to Rakoto, and that he was a partisan of Rambosalama. How great a folly to have again reposed confidence in Raharo ! From the 20th June until the 1st July the conspirators were in sad anxiety, gradually dis- covering the extent to which the Queen had become acquainted with their design. Madame Pfeiffer writes : * Madame Ida Pfeiffer's "Last Travels," pp. 278280. THE CONSPIRACY. 1 ."> 7 "July 2. What will become of us! The carrying out of the design seems to have become impracticable, for from the day when the Com- mander-in-Chief refused to open the doors of the palace, one after another of the conspirators have fallen away, and traitors and spies surround us on all sides. Ever since the 20th of June, hardly any one associates with us ; we are looked upon partly as State prisoners, and we are compelled to remain the whole 'day long in our houses, and dare not so much as set foot across the threshold. " The best proof that the Queen is perfectly well-informed of the conspiracy, and only pretends to know nothing about it, for the sake of her son, of whom she is very fond, appears in the fact of her having, a few days since, forbidden every one, on pain of death, to make any accusation whatever against the Prince, or to impart any surmise of his guilt to her. " This trait is worthy of the cunning character of her race. Having taken all necessary measures, and convinced herself that the power of the con- spirators is broken, and that she has nothing to fear, she seeks to hide her son's fault from the people." At last the Queen showed symptoms of the coming stonn. Early in the morning of the 3rd July, the people were called together, and sum- moned to appear at a certain hour in the bazaar, to be present at a great Kabar to be held there. This 158 MADAGASCAR. news spread terror among the people, for they knew well that, during this reign at least, in Madagascar the assembling of a Kabar meant persecution and torture, the prelude to sentences of death. " There was a general howling and wailing, a rushing and running through the streets, as if the town had been attacked by a hostile army." '" At length the dreaded hour arrived. Thousands of people, strongly guarded, were huddled together in. the principal square of the capital, and when all was in readiness a Queen's messenger delivered, with a loud voice, and amidst the breathless silence of the multitude, the following message from JRanavolona-Manjaka : That the Queen had long suspected that there were many Christians amongst her people, and that, within the last few days, she had discovered that several thousands of them dwelt in and around the capital ; that every one knew how she hated this sect, and how strictly she had forbidden the practice of their religion ; that she should do her utmost to discover the guilty, and would punish them with the greatest severity ; and that all should die who did not, within fifteen days, submit themselves to her pleasure. From their experience of the Queen's clemency on a former occasion, the unhappy Christians who confessed their crime within the period named had * "Madagascar: its Mission and its Martyrs," p. 104. Madame Ida Pfeiffer's " Last Travels," p. 294. PRINCE RAKOTO. 15!) their lives spared, according to the letter of the promise, but were fettered heavily, and subsequently perished miserably. The denouncer of the Christians was a Hova, by name Ratsimandisa, who, in order to win the favour of the Queen, had pretended to adopt the Christian religion. This traitor had in his possession a com- plete list of those Christians who resided in the capital. Fortunately, it did not occur to him to seek an audience of the Queen, and to deliver this list into her own hands. He gave it to one of the Queen's Ministers, who was a firm friend of Prince Rakoto, and he hesitated to deliver a document of such importance to the Queen without first telling the Prince of the circumstances. No sooner had the latter perused the document than he tore it into pieces, and announced that any one who dared to make out a second list of Christians, or even to accept one, with the intention of laying it before the Government, should be immediately put to death. This courageous act of the Prince saved, for a time, the lives of thousands of the Christians ; by it they had an opportunity of escaping to the mountains and to the forests, but it is feared that many of them perished miserably victims to hunger and exposure to the elements. To increase the misfortunes of the Christians in the capital at this period, an English missionary. Mr. Lebrun, had come from the Mauritius to Tamatave for a few days, shortly before Rat si- "1()0 MADAGASCAR. mandisa's treason, and had written letters from Tamatave to several Christians in Antananarivo, exhorting them to be firm in the faith, and seeking to strengthen their courage with the assurance that the day of persecution would not last much longer, and that better times would soon come for them. Unfortunately, a few of these letters fell into the hands of the Government ; others were found during the search instituted in the houses of those suspected of Christianity ; and as the names of several Christians were mentioned in these letters, to whom the missionary sent messages or greeting through the recipients, these at least could be seized. The unhappy people were tortured in all kinds of ways, like the Protestants of Spain in the days of the Inquisition, to induce them to give up the names of the Christians they knew, and the Government succeeded in capturing a tolerable number in the first few days.* Six days after the promulgation of her decree the Queen heard that comparatively few of the Christians had been apprehended. This made her more furious than ever, her insane rage knew no bounds. "The bowels of the earth," she said, " shall be searched, and the rivers and lakes shall be dragged with nets, rather than that one Christian shall escape." t New orders were issued to the army to search for the fugitive Christians ; not only Pro- * Ida Pfeiffer's " Last Travels," p. 297. f Ibid, p. 302. FURY OF THE QUKKN. 161 testants, but Roman Catholics, were ordered to be des- troyed. In a village situated among the Sackalaves, on the West Coast, five Roman Catholic missionaries had established themselves for about five years. Fifteen hundred soldiers were despatched to seize them and their converts ; but the messenger of the good Rakoto had preceded the Queen's troops, and when the latter appeared they found deserted huts. The first victim to the fury of the Queen was an aged Christian female, who, before the time given for self-accusation had expired, was dragged to the market-place, the scene of the late Kabar, and there, horrible to relate, her backbone was sawn asunder.* This was on the llth July, eight days after the holding of the Kabar. The next morning six more Christians were seized at a village not far from the capital. Their concealment had been skilfully con- trived. The soldiers had searched the hut in which they were hid, and were about to retire, when one of them stated that he heard some one coughing. The party of the Queen renewed their search, and ' beneath some straw they discovered a large hole, in which the hunted Christians were concealed. To seize, bind, and drag them away to their doom was the work of a few minutes ; but the commanding officer, not satisfied with this, seized the whole of the villagers who had been privy to the concealment of the fugitives thus striking terror far and wide into the hearts of the people. : it- Mi---i.n nml its Martyrs." p. 107. M 1 f>:2 MADAGASCAR. It was said by those who saw her, that the Queen had never before given way to such un- governable outbursts of rage as now ; and that at no former period had her purpose to exterminate the Christians been so fixed and furious. Her Ministers and the idol worshippers impressed upon her that this attempt to revolutionise the island by M. Lam- bert was the work of the peaceful Christians, and as her advisers made the Sikidy, or oracle, which she constantly consulted, to declare their own views and wishes, it was reported to the Queen that nothing but the entire extermination of the Christians could save the country from anarchy, and her own dynasty from destruction. Fortunate, then, for the fugitives was it that the list of Christians had fallen into the hands of Prince Rakoto. Ever since the discovery of the conspiracy she had held him a constant prisoner by her side, stating that she was in great danger, and required all his aid. By this means she entirely disarmed him, and prevented him holding personal communication with the other conspirators. But during this time the Prince was not idle. The liberation of many who had been apprehended must be attributed to him, amongst whom may be numbered several of the villagers who had connived at the concealment of their Christian neighbours. The marvel and the great mercy was that during this period of persecution the Prince himself escaped ; but his savage mother seemed dead to MATERNAL AFFECTION'. 1 fl.'J every human feeling save one the love of her son. " None are all evil quickening round Jier heart, One softer feeling would not yet depart. Yet 'gainst that passion vainly still she strove, And even in her it asks the name of love !" This instinct was the instrument which God used for the preservation of Rakoto's own life, and through him the lives of His servants. * On the 7th July, the Queen hearing that M. Lambert had a relapse of the fever from which he had been suffering since the failure of the coup d'etat, sent confidential officers five or six times in the day different envoys each time to ask after his health, evidently impressed with the belief that the illness was simulated, for the officers always asked to be taken into his room and to see him. Meanwhile, M. Laborde was warned by a con- fidential slave of Prince Rakoto to secrete all correspondence, for his house would be searched by the Queen's commands. Madame Pfeiffer writes July 10 :- " To-day our gates were suddenly opened, and about a dozen officers of high rank, with a large train, came into the courtyard. We thought they were coming to make the search of which the Prince had warned us ; but, to our great astonishment, they explained to M. Lambert that they had been sent * "Madagascar : its Minion anl its .Martyr-," j> 108. M -' 164 MADAGASCAR. by the Queen to receive the costly presents which he had brought with him for her and her Court. " M. Lambert at once had the chests brought out and unpacked ; the contents were placed according to their various destinations, in great baskets, which the slaves who accompanied the officers at once carried off to the palace. A few of the officers went away with the bearers ; the others walked into our reception-room, conversed for a few moments with M. Laborde and M. Lambert, and then very politely took their leave." It appears that on the 16th July a great Kabar was held in the Queen's palace. It lasted six hours, and the discussion was very stormy. This Kabar concerned the Europeans, and the fate of the con- spirators was debated. It was unanimously resolved that they deserved to be punished with death. Some voted for a public execution in the market- place, others for a nocturnal attack on M. Laborde's house, while a third party proposed a banquet at which the Europeans were to be poisoned or mur- dered at a given signal. The Queen was undecided between these various proposals, when Prince Rakoto spoke with great energy against the sentence of death. He warned the Queen not to let her anger and resent- ment lead her astray, and expressed his conviction that the European Powers would not allow the execution of six Europeans without retaliation. He pointed out that friendly relations had only just FATAL NEWS. 165 been re-established between Madagascar and Eng- land and France, and that such sanguinary conduct as the contemplated execution must at once close Madagascar to the commerce of all nations. The Prince is said never to have spoken with such warmth and energy to the Queen as on this occasion. Madame Pfeiffer writes : "July 17. Our captivity had already lasted thirteen long days for thirteen long days we had lived in the most trying suspense as to our impend- ing fate, expecting every moment to hear some fatal news, and alarmed day and night at every slight noise. It was a terrible time. "This morning I was sitting at my writing table. I had just put down my pen, and was think- ing that, after the last Kabar, the Queen must at the least have come to some decision, when suddenly I heard an unusual stir in the courtyard. " I was hastily quitting my room, the windows of which were in the opposite direction, to see what was the matter, when M. Laborde came to meet me with the announcement that a great Kabar was being held in the courtyard, and that we Europeans were summoned to be present thereat. " We went accordingly, and found more than a hundred persons judges, nobles, and officers- sitting in a large half-circle on benches and chairs, and some on the ground ; behind them stood a number of soldiers. One of the officers received us, and made us sit down opposite the judges. These 166 MADAGASCAR. judges were shrouded in long simbus, their glances rested gloomily and gravely upon us, and for a considerable time there was deep silence. I confess to having felt somewhat alarmed, and whispered to M. Laborde, ' I think our last hour has come ! ' His reply was, ' I am prepared for everything/ " At length one of the ministers or judges rose, and in sepulchral tones, embellished with a multitude of high-sounding epithets, he spoke somewhat to the following effect, telling us " The people had heard that we were republicans, and that we had come to Madagascar with the intention of introducing a similar form of govern- ment here ; that we intended to overturn the throne of their beloved ruler, to give the people equal rights with the nobility, and to abolish slavery ; also, that we had had several interviews with the Christians a sect equally obnoxious to the Queen and the people and had exhorted them to hold fast to their faith, and to expect speedy succour. These treasonable proceedings, he continued, had so greatly exasperated the natives against us, that the Queen had been compelled to treat us as prisoners, as a protection against the popular indignation. The whole population of Antananarivo was clamouring for our death ; but as the Queen had never yet deprived a white person of life, she would abstain in this instance also, though the crimes we had committed could fully have justified her in such a course. In her magnanimity and mercy, she had accordingly FATE OF THE CONSPIRATORS. 1G7 decided to limit our punishment to perpetual banish- ment from her territories. " M. Lambert, M. Marius, and two other Euro- peans who lived at M. Laborde's, and myself, were accordingly to depart from the city within an hour. M. Laborde might remain twenty-four hours longer ; and, in consideration of his former services, he was to be allowed to take away all his property that was not fixed, with the exception of his slaves. These, with his houses, estates, &c., were to revert to the Queen, by whose bounty they had been bestowed on him. With regard to his son, inasmuch as the youth was a native by the mother's side, and might be supposed, on account of his tender years, to have taken no part in the conspiracy, it should be optional with him either to remain in the island, or to quit it with us. "The Queen would allow us and M. Laborde also as many bearers as we required to carry us and our property, and, as a measure of precaution, she would cause us to be escorted by a company of soldiers, consisting of fifty privates, twenty officers, and a commandant. M. Laborde would have a similar escort, and was commanded always to keep at least one day's journey in our rear."* Thus ended M. Lambert's scheme for revolu- tionising Madagascar and establishing a French Protectorate in the island. On this occasion Prince Rakoto's life was spared, in consequence of the in- * Ida Pfeiffer's "Last Travels" p. 313316. 168 MADAGASCAR. tense love of his mother, the Queen ; but the eyes of the native chiefs were now opened to the extraordi- nary influence which M. Lambert had obtained over the Prince, and they saw with anxiety for the future how entirely the heir to the throne was under the influence of a foreigner, whose declared object was to bring their beloved country under a foreign yoke. Although the Prince, shielded by his mother, had escaped the resentment of the Hova chiefs, they nursed their wrongs, and, as events will show at the proper time, meted out to him the due reward of his treason to the Malagasy people. The morning after the denouement of the conspiracy at Antananarivo, M. Lambert and his companions were hurried away from the capital, but not to reach the coast so early as they anticipated. The ordinary journey from the capital to Tamatave is about eight days ; but by the Queen's com- mands the conspirators were detained in the most unhealthy portions of the route, in swamps, jungles, and morasses, so that the malignant fever of the country might destroy them ; and after numerous delays in the malaria districts, they were at last permitted to reach Tamatave, fifty-three days after leaving Antananarivo. Wasted by disease and want, mere shadows of their former selves, they at last embarked, on the 1 6th September, on board the brig Castro, Captain Schneider, bound for Mauritius. A warning to Europeans that if the cautious policy of the Malagasy Government forbids the shedding of DEATH OF THE QUEEN. 169 the white man's blood, yet that there are other means of putting an end to foreign interference in the Government of the island. Madame Ida Pfeiffer never recovered the effects of the Madagascar fever. She indeed reached Europe, but it was only to arrive in her native country to die. From this time the Government of the Queen narrowly watched the movements of all strangers in Madagascar. The persecution of the Christians under such circum- stances could not but be lasting, although they were greatly modified by the unceasing vigilance of their constant friend, Prince Rakoto. Ranavolona, the Queen of Madagascar, was of advanced age, and her reign had extended to thirty-three years. But the day of her death drew near. For several weeks during the summer her strength rapidly failed, and at last, on the 23rd of August, 1861, the persecutor of Madagascar ceased to exist. 170 CHAPTER XI. Precautions for the Safety of the Crown Prince Accession of Prince Rakotond and Imprisonment of Rambosalama Joy of the Christians Embassies from England and France Coro- nation of the King and Queen Treaties of Commerce and Friendship Radama II. abandons himself to Drunkenness and Debauchery Machinations of the Idol Party and pro- posed Massacre of the Christians Revolution of 1863 Death of the King Accession of Queen Rabodo and Con- stitution of May 12th, 1863. ABOUT a month previous to the death of Ranavolona- Manjaka, Radama Rakotond, her son, and the sup- posed posthumous child of her late husband Ra- dama I., began to adopt stringent measures for the protection of himself and his friends from the machi- nations of his rival and the idol party. Nominated by the Queen as her successor in the Government, he was opposed by his cousin, Rambosalama, the son of the Queen's sister, and also his own brother- in-law, who, previous to the birth of Radama, had been adopted by the then childless Ranavolona. It was confidently reported and commonly be- lieved that Rambosalama had hired assassins to remove his only obstacle in the path to power, and that more than once these wretched men had con- fessed to Radama their meditated crime. Be this THE CROWN PRINCE. 171 as it may, it is certain that the Prince and his friends knew the purpose and probably the plots of his rivals. Among those upon whom Radama placed his chief reliance was Prince Roharo, the commander of the forces, but who, it will be remembered, had failed in opening the gates of the palace to the Prince when he was engaged in the Lambert plot.' 54 ' The second officer in command was also one of the Prince's warm supporters. Aware of his cousin's proceedings, Rambosalama at this time showed signs of great distrust. He seldom left his house, and never entered the palace without being armed and accompanied by armed followers. On the C ommander-in-Chief being ap- prised of this circumstance, he immediately issued an order that no armed person should enter the royal residence ; the Crown Prince and himself being among the first who submitted to the search. Another precaution employed was to conceal the orders and the "parole" w r hich gained access through the guards of the palace. This knowledge was pur- posely withheld from Rainijoary and other influen- tial nobles, who, abandoning the hope of seeing Rambosalama on the throne and the idol party triumphant, deemed it prudent to make terms with the Prince, and promised to submit to Radainu Rakotond as the Queen's successor. At length the :2:>rd of August, 1861, dawned the city of Antananarivo ; Mada-a-rar and its ipter \ . p. 15, 172 MADAGASCAR. idols had lost their Queen ; and the anxious Chris - tians heard that, after thirty-three years of tyranny and oppression, Ranavolona-Manjaka had been sum- moned to stand before the Judge of all the earth. Soon an immense crowd filled every avenue and approach to the palace. These were the armed partizans of Rambosalama, waiting for the precon- certed signal to fall upon the guards, massacre Radama and his followers, and declare their own chief successor to the Queen and protector of the idols. But while the son was weeping at the death- bed of that mother who, with all her faults, in- tensely loved him, Radama's faithful friend, the commander of the forces, had his keen eye fixed upon every movement of Rambosalama. He knew his plans and his partizans ; watched his movements within the palace ; followed him from the chamber of death ; and seized him while in the act of giving the preconcerted signal to the conspirators. Then, by Roharo's orders, a trumpet was sounded, and more than a thousand soldiers, who were awaiting this summons, marched with quickened steps to the palace. Radama Rakotond became thus master of the position. The conspirators were foiled, and his rival a prisoner. Roharo immediately appeared on the balcony of the palace to announce the Queen's death, and to proclaim Radama II. King of Mada- gascar. About four o'clock in the afternoon, arrayed in the robes of royalty, with the crown upon his head, and surrounded by his chief nobles, the King JOY OF THE CHRISTIANS. 1 73 appeared. It was long ere the joyous shouts of the people could be hushed ; but as soon as silence was obtained, in a few expressive words he begged of them to be calm, and then assured them that, in becoming their sovereign, his one desire was to devote himself to their welfare, and to that of the country over which he reigned." 5 '" Meanwhile, Rambosalama was conducted under a strong guard to the centre of the city to the Lake Andohalo, where he was compelled to take the oath of allegiance to his cousin. Thence he was conveyed to a residence of his own in the country, there to be detained a prisoner, under a guard of two hundred soldiers. But this was the extent of his punish- ment. Not a fetter bound his limbs ; not a fraction of his large wealth was forfeited ; nor was he for- bidden to communicate with his friends. Such was the magnanimity with which the King treated the man who had conspired against his title and his life. "The sun," writes Mr. Ellis, "did not set on the day on which Radama II. became King of Mada- gascar before he proclaimed equal protection to all its inhabitants, and declared that every man was free to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, without fear or dangen He sent his officers to open the prison doors, to knock off the fetters from those to whom the joyous shouts of the multitude without had already announced that the day of their deliverance was come. He de- * "Mu municated these just and enlarged views to the Governors of Mauritius and Reunion for transmis- sion to the Governments of England and France ; and, in consequence, influential deputations were immediately appointed to visit the capital of Mada- gascar, and present the congratulations of those Governments on the accession of so enlightened a ruler. The English Embassy consisted of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Middleton and four other gentlemen. On reaching the capital, they were received by the King, and the people generally, with the most cor- dial welcome. The report of the Embassy contains the most gratifying testimony to the wonderful im- provement effected in the condition of the people during the short time in which Radama II. had exercised the Government. Immediately on the receipt of this report in Lon- don, Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria addressed an autograph letter to Radama II., accom- panied by a copy of the Bible. The twelve months of mourning prescribed by the laws of Madagascar on the death of a sovereign having expired, preparations were made for the coronation of the King. On September 23, 1862, just thirteen months after the death of Ranavolona, li r A.D. 1862. son, Kakotond, was crowned King of Madagascar, under the title of Radama IT. The Governments of England and France were repre- sented on that occasion by Major-General Johnstone, 176 MADAGASCAR. Commander of the Forces at Mauritius, and Com- modore Dupre, commanding the Imperial Naval forces on the East Coast of Africa, each of these officers being accompanied by a suitable and bril- liant staff. The Rev. William Ellis, who was an eye-witness of the ceremony, has favoured us with the following account : "After a night of short sleep I rose, and soon after six, a captain and twenty men, in uniform, and armed, came to my house and drew up in front of the door. The officer said they were sent to con- duct me to Mahamasura, the place in which the coronation was to take place, and to attend upon me through the day, and see that I was not incommoded by the people. " When ready, I seated myself in my palanquin, with the star of the Order of Radama II., with which his Majesty had honoured me, and proceeded with my attendants through the city. In the latter part of my way I was immediately behind the idols, and at one time quite surrounded by them ; and at that early hour hundreds of people, in palanquins and on foot, were pressing towards the entrance to the ground. Banners, inscribed with ' R. R. II. / were fixed on both sides of the road, at intervals of every hundred yards ; and tall green plantain trees had during the previous day been brought from the adjacent gardens and planted in groups of five or six together by the side of the way. On the ground the position assigned to the respective divisions of CORONATION. 177 the people were also designated by banners bearing their names. Banners were also placed along the whole line of the platform. " About half-past ten I took my place in front of the Christians, among the native pastors, on the south side of the steps leading to the throne ; it having been agreed that we were to offer prayer at the time of the crown being placed on the head of the King. Although the Christians occupied more space than that allotted to them, more than half their number could not find admission to the ground. On the opposite side of the steps were the Sisters of Charity and about forty girls and children, and, still nearer the stage, five or six Catholic priests and some of their people. Immediately in front of the Sisters of Charity and the priests were the idol- keepers, with their also small number of adherents. The idols, thirteen in number, were carried on tall slender rods or poles, about ten feet high. In most of them there was little resemblance to anything in heaven or in earth ; yet such were the objects on which the security and prosperity of the realm were formerly supposed to depend, and for refusing to worship which so many of the most intelligent and worthy among the people had been put to death, whilst others had been subjected to banishment, slavery, torture, fetters, and imprisonment. " The stage or platform was occupied by mem- bers of the Royal Family on one side, and foreign 1 78 MADAGASCAR. guests on the other. Nearest the throne sat Rasalimo, the Sackalave princess whose marriage with the first Radama was the seal of peace between the Sackalaves and the Hovas. Next to her sat one who in her day must have been one of the brightest belles in Mada- gascar, for traces of beauty still lingered in her oval face and expressive features. She had been the wife of the first Eadama's father. The type of three successive generations of Malagasy nobles were there assembled, and it was deeply interesting to watch their varied aspects, the resemblance and the deviations from the Hova type, the latter being much fairer than any others. " Some of the men were exceedingly handsome, among whom were the young Prince Ramonja, and Rambosalama's princely son. All were most gor- geously attired ; scarlet was the predominant colour, though some wore green, others puce-coloured velvet. The gold lace, though not lacking, was not so abundant on the new as in the old uniforms. My scholars, sons of the nobles, in their velvet and gold uniforms, stood by my side, in front of the pastors, before the great body of the Christians. " Before twelve, the clouds of dust, and denser throng in the road, as well as the firing of cannon along the mountain side, announced the approach of their Majesties. The Queen, splendidly attired in a white satin dress, and a tasteful ornament of gold on her head, rode past in a scarlet and gold embroidered CORONATION. 179 palanquin, accompanied by her adopted little girl, the child of Prince Ramonja's eldest daughter. The King rode beside her, mounted on a beautiful little Arab horse, and greeted by the plaudits of the joyous multitude, who crowded every available spot within sight of which the pageant had to pass ; while the voices of the Christians might be heard singing most heartily the National Anthem, or Malagasy ' God save the Queen/ ''Guards clothed in green, and bearing silver halberts, attended the royal pair, and the officers of the missions from England and France, as well as other foreigners and Malagasy officers of State, fol- lowed. The Queen ascended the flight of steps lead- ing to the seats prepared for their Majesties, under the canopy erected over the Sacred Stone on which the monarch exhibits himself to the heads of the nation. The King followed, wearing the British field marshal's uniform presented by Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and a splendid light-coloured robe. The dresses of the officers of State were most of them new, and some of them gorgeous. The robe of the Minister of Justice was of green velvet trimmed with gold lace, the trains carried by two bearers. When their Majesties had been seated a few minutes, the King rose, and taking the crown from a stand on his right, placed it on his head. The firing of cannons announced the fact. The band struck up the National Anthem, while the multitude N 2 180 MADAGASCAR. saluted the newly-crowned monarch with the Mala- gasy salutation, ' May you live a thousand years ! ' " The King then turned to the Queen, who stood by his side, and taking a smaller open-work crown of gold from the page who bore it, placed it on the head of her Majesty. After standing a minute or two to receive the greetings of his officers, and the shoutings of the multitude, the King took off the crown, the Queen sat down, and the King then delivered his Kabar, or speech, to the people, assuring them that his confidence in and affection towards them, and that his purposes for the welfare of his country and the prosperity of all classes, were the same as when he was raised to the throne. After this speech the King resumed his seat, when we all presented the Hasina mine for the missionaries and myself. " I then retired, asking an officer in blue velvet and gold to accompany me to my tent.* I threw my photographic blouse over my dress, prepared and placed my plate in the camera, and waving a white handkerchief as a signal, the King and Queen rose and walked to the front of the pavilion ; and, after a short interval, I returned the signal that it was done. Their Majesties then resumed their seats, and the high officers continued to present their Hasina. I proceeded to develop my picture, which * Mr. Ellis had previously been requested by the King to take a photographic representation of the scene. CORONATION. 181 turned out very well, so far as the chief objects were concerned. These, and part of the city which formed the background, came out well. " When their Majesties retired, the scene became more crowded than before. I saluted the King as he passed near my tent on his return, and was sur- prised at the quietness of his horse among the float- ing of banners, sounds of music, shouting of multi- tudes, and report of cannon, to say nothing of the shouting and running to seek palanquins or bearers, as the vast multitudes, like a surging torrent, ap- proached the place of exit from the ground to the road leading back to the palace. "And now the scene which, favoured by the nature of the country, a cloudless sky and tropical sun, together with the joyous occasion which had produced it, made it one of the most imposing I had ever witnessed began to change. The lower line of the granite mountain on which the city stands and which, two hundred feet above the plain, stretched from north to south behind the platform, at a distance of two or three hundred yards had been thronged with spectators. Greater numbers still had spread themselves over the sides and sum- mits of the hills to the north and west ; while num- bers were seen in beautiful perspective extending from the Maso to the very summit of Ambohi Zanahary (village of God), a massive circular hill to the south-west. This throng of spectators, clothed 182 MADAGASCAR. in the long flowing lambas of pure white, or deep rich glowing colours, and who, except when clapping their hands or shouting for joy, had been quiet gazers on the scene, were now seen moving in various directions, until they were absorbed in the multi- tudes that crowded the roads leading from the plain. " I had noticed as the King approached that the members of his family, especially those connected with the first Radama and his father, turned their faces towards him and clapped their hands, and sang some of the native songs, as was the custom in ancient times. " I now packed up my camera, took down my tent, and made the best of my way home. The heat had been intense, especially in the small tent, and I was glad of some refreshment, having been on the ground from seven until three. But before I changed my dress a messenger came from the palace to say that the company were all assembled, and I therefore hastened to the coronation banquet, which was held in the large palace of Manjakamiadana. " So far as choice, variety, and abundance were concerned, it was a right royal banquet. The silver-gilt goblets and tankard, presented by Queen Victoria, very appropriately graced the upper end of the table where their Majesties sat, supported by the chiefs of the French and English missions. The table was spread for a hundred guests, and that RADAMA If. 183 number actually sat down to partake of the royal bounty. A calf, roasted whole and garnished, was the principal dish at the upper end. On the side- boards were piled large substantial portions of solid food, while poultry, game, and fish covered the table, which was ornamented with vases of silver, manufactured by native artists, after European models. There were ranged along the centre, with artificial flowers and sweetmeats, preserved apricots and pineapples, with plums and cakes intervening. The healths of the sovereigns of Madagascar, Eng- land, and France were drunk, with a few others, after one of which the King rose, drew his sword, and made an energetic speech as to the principles upon which he would exercise his authority, and which he considered would tend to the good or the injury of the country. " Soon after sunset the missionaries retired. Dancing afterwards commenced, and continued for some hours. The King retired at half-past ten to his private apartments."* A few days previous to the coronation of Ba- daina II. viz., on the 12th September, 1862 treaties of friendship and commerce were completed at Anta- nanarivo, between Madagascar, England, and France. These treaties, in every essential feature similar to each other, in the privileges granted and in the friendly feelings expressed, have been accepted and * Missionary Mtiyfiiiiu', No. 320, January 1, 1863. 184 MADAGASCAR. confirmed by the respective Governments. They permit the subjects of England and France on the one hand, and of Madagascar on the other, to enter, reside, travel, and trade in the respective countries, in conformity with the laws of each. They afford the enjoyment of all the privileges, immunities, and advantages accorded in the country to the subjects of the most favoured nation. The English and French may practise their religion openly. Their missionaries have liberty to preach, teach, build churches, seminaries, hospitals, where they may judge convenient, only in conformity with the laws. They have the right of buying, selling, cultivating and profiting by the soil, houses and stores in the states of the King of Madagascar. The local au- thorities will not interfere in any disputes be- tween the persons of either foreign nation, nor be- tween the subjects of either of those of the other. The consuls alone take cognizance of them. The treaties also promise assistance to those who travel in the interests of science geographers, naturalists, engineers, and others."' 5 " A recent French writer, with reference to these treaties, observes : " By that act, in which Radama II. appears as King of Madagascar, we have recog- nised without restriction his sovereignty over all the island. In consequence of that recognition two * " France and Madagascar," British Quarterly Review, No. LXXV1L, January 1, 1864. KADAMA II. consuls have been accredited to him, the one at Antananarivo, the other at Tamatavd, who only ex- ercise their functions by virtue of an exequatur from the real sovereign." * In a similar manner the British Consul, Mr. Pakenham, has been received at Antananarivo . Thus far in the career of Radama II. we have seen nothing but sunshine. During this time of prosperity the storm was brewing precursor of the revolution in which he was to perish. While "all went merry as a marriage bell," and no one moved his tongue against the young monarch, his own character was undergoing a rapid change, and that of a nature the most fatal. His youth, like that of his putative father, Radama I., had been passed in the strictest virtue and self-command ; and his manhood, during the life of his mother, Ranavo- lona, had been one constant and cheerful struggle in doing good for his oppressed countrymen. On being firmly seated on the throne, we find that he con- tracted habits which obscured the brightness of his early promise, and became suddenly the victim of that drunkenness and debauchery which had hurried Radania I. to an early grave. Although he had shown great kindness of disposition, he never dis- played that strength of character necessary for one who would rule his fellow men. On the contrary, he showed rather a willingness to be led, and h * Revue des Deux J/t> , p. 700. 186 MADAGASCAR. became the victim of designing characters, botii natives and foreigners. There is no doubt that those who wished well for Madagascar and its ruler were much disappointed in him, among whom were the missionaries. On the other hand, we find, some years previously, that he had been thoroughly read by that discernment of character so frequently found among women. Madame Ida PfeifFer writes : "I found no fault in him, except a certain want of independence, and a distrust of his own abilities ; and the only thing I fear, should the government one day fall into his hands, is, that he will not come forward with sufficient energy, and may fail in thoroughly carrying out his good intentions ; " and speaking subsequently of him, she remarks : "He is, as I have observed, a man of many good qualities, but he wants decision and firmness of purpose." * Following the example of Rehoboam, King of Israel, he excluded from his councils many of the nobles and experienced men of the kingdom, while he surrounded himself with a number of young, in- experienced, and, many of them, most objectionable men, as his confidential advisers ; and although their advice did not lead him to any acts of tyranny or oppression towards the people, it placed him so entirely in the hands of the idol-keepers, that law and order protection for life and property was en- tirely done away with ; so that the nobles, to save * "Last Travels," pp. 210, 269. RADAMA II. 187 the nation from anarchy and the State from destruc- tion, had to bring their monarch to account for his actions. Early in 1863 extraordinary efforts were made by the idol-keepers to bring the King's mind under the old superstitions of the country. Within this period a sort of mental epi- demic had appeared in the capital and the adjacent provinces. The subjects of this disease pretended to be unconscious of their actions, being unable to refrain from leaping, running, dancing, &c. These persons also saw visions and heard voices from the invisible world. One of these visions, seen by many, was the ancestors of the King, and the voices they heard announced the coming of these ancestors to tell the King what he was to do for the good of the country. Subsequently a voice was brought to him as from his ancestors, to the effect that, if he did not stop " the praying" some great calamity would soon befall him. Surrounded by mistresses, dancing girls, and the lowest debauchees of the Court, is it wonderful that the mind of the King, enervated by constant dissipation, was pre- pared to entertain this puerile and transparent attack upon the Christian portion of the community ? "It was then proposed by the ]\L n