Madagascar revisited; describing the events of a new reign, and the revolution which followed; setting forth also the persecutions endured by the Christians, etc

Front matter

The Tarpeian Kui-k. Fruntl*plec< \PBfw-THE CITY FROM THE BATTERY AT AJIBODINANDOHALO FliotugnipJiL'd b) Ucy. W.LUii^fc^ MADAGASCAR REVISITED DESCRIDING THE EVENTS OF A NEW REIGN AND THE REVOLUTION WHICH FOLLOWED; SETTING FORTH ALSO THE PERSECUTIONS ENDURED BY THE CHRISTIANS, AND THEIR HEROIC SUFFERINGS, WITH NOTICES OF THE PRESENT STATE AND PROSPECTS OF THE PEOPLE. BY REV. WILLIAM ELLIS, AUTHOR OF "POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES," "THREE VISITS TO MADAGASCAR," ETC. *' Her Majesty the Queen of Madagascar, from her friendship for Tier Britannic Majesty, promises to grant full religious liberty to all her subjects." Treaty between England and Madagascar, June 27, 1865. 117 Til ILLUHTKA T10SS. LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 18G7. TO THE QUEEN, SThts Volume, DESCRIBING A PEOPLE WHO REGARD HER MAJESTY WITH GRATEFUL ESTEEM, IS, BY SPECIAL PERMISSION, RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY HER MAJESTY'S MOST DUTIFUL AND DEVOTED SERVANT, THE AUTHOE.

PEEFACE. My former visits to Madagascar were visits of observation and inquiry, which the government of that day restricted to the narrowest possible limits, and over which they exercised the strictest surveillance. I could hold no intercourse with the Christians without danger of inconvenience to myself, and more imminent peril to them ; and I had few opportunities for observing much beyond the aspects of nature, the productions of the country, or the more common usages of the people. My last visit, which was also my longest residence, was one of action, my business was with the people, and left me no time or opportunity for anything besides ; but though I added little to my knowledge of the botanical or other treasures of the coun try, I became much better acquainted with its inhabitants, especially with the numbers, character, rank, and influence of the Christians, as well as with the progress of the Gospel in Madagascar.

My mission was to explain to the sovereign, and the heads of the people, the object of the London Missionary Society in sending out missionaries to resume the work which had been so long interrupted, and to make the requisite pre parations for the expected teachers.

Preface

. VIII The prosecution of this important, and, to me, delightful work, brought me into communication with all classes of the people, and afforded many opportunities for observing the ope ration of those agencies which produced the great changes that followed the dawn of Christian liberty in the land. The contact, and often conflict between the antagonistic elements of native society during that period — between truth and error, virtue and vice, Christianity and heathenism — the one based solely on the true and lasting foundation, the Word of God, and attested by the faith in life and the hope in death of successive generations of men ; the other resting on the puerile traditions of a bygone age, accredited by visions, dreams, and imagined voices from the invisible world, were to me profoundly interesting, and often stirred my spirit to its utmost depths.

In the following pages I have endeavoured to narrate, in the plainest manner, the course of events in Madagascar during my residence there, and any interest the narrative may inspire will be a human interest, such as can only arise from con templating the movements of an infant nation during those periods which can occur but once in its existence, when the Divine light of Christian truth first breaks upon the under standings of the people, and the germs of liberty are first lodged in their hearts. I have described the recent events which I have witnessed in Madagascar in the order in which they occurred, simultaneously with the narrative of my own proceedings as affected by them, rather than in the form of an abstract account, as

PREFACE.

. more likely to render them clear and acceptable, and shall be gratified if the testimony I am able to bear should become the means of exciting deeper concern for the welfare of Mada gascar, and more fervent prayer for the progress of Christianity among its numerous inhabitants. Rose Hill, Hoddesdon, January, 1867. CONTENTS.

Chapter I. Page

Arrival of tidings of the death of the Queen of Madagascar — Voyage to Mauritius — Official communication from the King to the Governor of Mauritius — Mission of congratulation to the King — Sites for the Memorial Churches promised — Malagasy and English vocabulary compiled by native officers— Arrival at Tamatave — Reception by the authorities and the Christians — Accident to the Commandant — Visit to the battery — Departure for the capital — Beautiful scenery — Meetings with Christian travellers — Droves of oxen in the forest; — Aspect of the country of Imerina — Meeting of friends and returning exiles — Welcome on the road by Christians from the capital — Reception at Ambatomanga — Sunday services and arrival of officers from the capital— Arrival at Betas o — Entrance to Antananarivo — Hospitality of the Christians ....... 1

Chapter II

"Welcome from the Christians — Visit to the King and Queen — Letters from Earl Russell and the Governor of Mauritius — Pleasure afforded by the continued friendship of England — Announcement of presents — Portrait of the King — Homage and offering from the returned exiles — Affecting interview with the widows and orphans of recent Martyrs — Satisfactory interview with the Prime Minister — Origin and import of Malagasy names — Visit to the site of the first Martyrdom — First Sunday in Antananarivo — Funerals on Sundays — School for young nobles — Reading with the King — Dinner and evening with a Christian noble — Visit to the Commander-in-Chief — Dinner with the Chief Secretary of State and Chief of the Keepers of the Idols ■ — The Burial-ground of foreigners — Notice of the Tarpeian Rock, and the Christians executed there ...... CONTENTS. PAGE

Chapter III

Visit of M. Lambert and Madame Pfieffer to Madagascar — Failure of project to change the government — Departure of the French from Madagascar — Last Persecution — Flight and pursuit of the Christians — Kindness of the heathen towards the fugitives — Stoning to death of the condemned — The field of slaughter — The night after the execution — Search for their remains — Means of identification — Importance attached to funeral obsequies — Banishment in fetters — Barbarous severity of the punishment — Autobiography of one of the martyrs— He makes violins, assists in building the palace, makes a fire-engine, is loaded with irons, seeks and distributes medicine to the sick — The last impeachment of the Christians fatal to their accuser — Recall of the exiles, and removal of their fetters 57

Chapter IV

Required confession of crimes — Cruel reward of confidence — Ideas of a strong government — Rival aspirants to the throne of Madagascar — Portents of coming change — Malagasy account of the sickness and death of the Queen — Accession of her son to the throne — Radama's address to the people — Homage of the royal family and the nobles — Administration of the oath of allegiance — Rejoicing among the people — Funeral of the late Queen — Public mourning, cutting off the hair — Clemency of the King towards his rival — Recall of the exiles — Proclamation of religious freedom — Restoration of confiscated property — Abolition of custom-house duties and freedom of trade — Liberation and restoration of all slaves and captives taken in war — The bones of the dead sent to their own lands for interment — Happy results of these proceedings — First communion in Antananarivo — Preaching at the King's house — No evidence that the King is a Christian — His inquiry why the martyrs were obliged to die — Increase of intemperance — Wild honey ....... 7:i

Chapter V

Native and European dress in Madagascar — Revised code of laws — Abolition of capital punishment — Law in favour of religious liberty — Laws affecting foreigners — Fondness of the natives for music — Evening singing and music — Watchmen of Antananarivo — Public roads — Revelations of the microscope — Pursuits of Radama and his friends — King dancing for joy — Terror inspired by a live owl — Presentation of the French embassy to the King and Queen of Madagascar — Satis- CONTENTS. XIII PAGE factory character of the interview — Decision of the King about his coronation — Arrival of the English embassy — Conversation with the Bishop of Mauritius respecting the country to be occupied by the agents of the London and Church Missionary Societies — State of Christianity at the capital — Presentation of the English embassy — Effect produced by the reception of Her Majesty's letter — Present and address from the Christians to the English embassy — Visit of the Bishop and Captain Anson to sites of the martyrs' death . . 108

Chapter VI

Celebration of the fete of the Emperor — Arrival of the British Consul — Dinner to the British embassy — -Reported state of morals among the people — Conversation respecting intoxication — Visit of the Bishop of Mauritius to the Christian congregations — Presents from Queen Victoria to the King and Queen — Other presents — Presentation of the British Consul— Conference with the leaders of the Christians respecting the distribution of the Scriptures — Conversation of the King with the priest — Visit of the general to the King — Position of Antananarivo ■ — Aspect of the country eastward of the capital — Arrival and welcome of the missionaries — Introduction of the missionaries to the King and Queen — Reading in the new Bible — Visit to the Prime Minister — United communion of the churches and the missionaries — Public worship at the King's house — Letter from the Pope — Dinner to the King and the English embassy at my house — Adventures of the King — Public signing of the treaty with France — Conversation respecting the concession to M. Lambert . . . ... . 130

Chapter VII

The new order of Radama — Visit to the sites of the martyrs' sufferings — Relics of a cross — Numbers drawn to the capital — Interesting groups of strangers in the streets — The Pope's present to the King — A general amnesty proclaimed — Portrait of the King — A coronation sermon — The commandant from Tamatave — Beautiful illuminations of the country — Fire in the city — Visit of congratulation to the King and Queen — The coronation morning — Arrival at my tent— Aspect and arrangements on the plain — Representatives of the Protestants, the Catholics, and the Pagans — The pavilion and platform — Members of three generations of the royal family — The aristocracy of Madagascar — Arrival and reception of their majesties — The crowning of ■ the King and Queen — The royal speech — Homage and offerings — Return of the procession — Scene of the multitudes leaving the plain — The banquet in the great palace — The priests crowding the King — Departure of the English embassy — Beneficial effects of their visit . 1G3 CONTENTS. XIV PAGE

Chapter VIII

Visitors from the west coast — Breakfast with the King and Queen — Sunday religious services — Departure of M. Lambert — Character of my intercourse with the King— State of morals connected with polygamy — The King's relation with Mary — Her influence over the King — Invitation to his Majesty to visit Tamatave — Specimens of minerals — Mr. Parrett's journey to Tamatave for goods and books— Death of the Chief Judge — Visit to the house of mourning— Malagasy customs on occurrence of death — The funeral procession — The ancient city of Ambohimanga — Application of the Christians to the King for a house for worship — Invitation to visit them — Welcome and friendly reception by the officers at Ambohimanga — Interesting Sunday services with the Christians — Presents from the officers, and friendly parting — Subsequent mistake of the officers in interrupting the worship — Death and funeral of Rahaniraka — Robbery of graves . . .188

Chapter IX

Afflicting tidings from England — Kindness and sympathy from the people — Treaty between England and Madagascar— Disturbance created by a thunder-storm — Opening school for young nobles — Letter from the King of Johanna— Letter from Dr. Livingstone — Reported importation of slaves to Madagascar — News from Europe and America — Destructive effects of lightning — Damages by storm and flood — King and Queen attend the churches on Christmas-day — Origin of the native ministry in Madagascar — Plan of church organisation — Efforts to extend the Gospel in the city — Disappointment on account of the proceedings of the King — Atrocious heathen murder . 21G

Chapter X

Damage by the floods — Description of the buildings of the capital — Signs of the progress of Christianity — Uneasiness among the heathen — Report of a new kind of sickness — Rumours of visions and voices from the unseen world — King's inquiries about a future state — The Queen's visit to Ambohimanga — Homage paid on the road to anything belonging to the sovereign— Grant of title deeds for the memorial churches — Meetings with the sick dancers — Opening of a new place of worship — The Queen's reception and banquet on returning from Ambohimanga — The banquet of welcome — Renewed rumours of messages from the spirit world against praying — The idol carried in procession — Menaced death from the idol keeper— Death warnings laid at my door . . . . . . . . CONTENTS. XV PAGE

CHAPTER XL

Causes of the hostility of the heathen— State of parties at the capital — Plots and rumours — Proposal of the King to permit duelling and fighting for the settlement of quarrels — Final and unsuccessful appeal of the nobles and heads of the people to the King — My last interview with Radama — Friendly -warning and counsel from the Prime Minister — Commencement of the revolution in Antananarivo — Seizure and death of the menamaso — Negotiations between the King and nobles — Efforts of the King to save the lives of his councillors — Notices of some of the men who suffered death — Proceedings on the Sunday — Compromise between the King and the nobles — Surrender and execution of the menamaso — Seizure and violent death of the King — Removal and interment of his remains — Brief notice of Radama II. , and the chief events of his reign ...... 273

Chapter XII

Public announcement of the death of the King — Plan of government proposed to the Queen with the offer of the crown— Her Majesty's acceptance of the crown — Our first interview with the Queen after the revolution — The dispensary, and Dr. Davidson's attention and services — Objects of interest amidst scenes of commotion — Remarkable order and good behaviour of the people — Germs of representative government introduced — Demonstrated deception in reference to the dancing sickness — Difficulty of obtaining reliable testimony — Summoning the people to receive the laws of the Queen — Description of the laws — Native orators and oratory— Reception of the laws by the people — Statement of the objects of the mission to the Queen and the government — Protection and liberty promised — Influence of the change on the Christians — Encouraging progress of the Gospel . . . 302

Chapter XIII

Arrival of representatives of the provinces to take the oath of allegiance — Speech of Iovana, female ruler among the Betsileo — Speeches of the Betsimasaraka and Sakalavas — Pantomimic dances of the Sakalavas — Interview with Christians from a distance — Christian ruler among the Betsileo— Representatives from the Southern provinces — Raloba, chief of the Vangaindrano— A dancing speaker — War-games of the Southern tribes— Fear and flight of Raloba, lest his portrait should be taken — Imposing appearance of the Mainty — Fear of incendiaries — Report that Radama was living — Cattle-stealing, and CONTENTS. page threats of the Sakalavas — Hova force sent against the Sakalavas return with captives and booty — Punishment of the reporters of Radama's being alive — Coronation and speech of Rasoherina — Appeal to her Majesty's clemency — Public recognition of the Christians — The fulfilment of Radama"s treaty claimed by the French and refused by the Malagasy — Indemnity paid by the Queen of Madagascar — Liberty for worship by the Christians at Ambohimanga at the Queen's visit — Return of the court to the capital ..... 332

Chapter XIV

Departure of the Malagasy embassy for England and France— Visit to the Queen's cottage and gardens at Mahazoarivo — Pic-nic in the garden — Rifle shooting — Christmas Day in Madagascar — Gathering of the Christians — Procession and address to the Queen — Missionary retrospect of the year — Arrival of helpers in the work — Foundation of the hospital—Difficulty about deposits in the foundation-stone of the memorial church — Foundation-stone of the church at Ambatonakanga laid by the Prime Minister — Difficulties attending the erection of such buildings — Illness and death of Mr. Stagg — Sorrow of the children — Kindness of the Queen — Madagascar an important and inviting field to the Christian teacher — Illness and death of Mrs. Pearse — Kindness of the Sisters of Charity — Cruel law of selling by auction the wives and children of criminals — Opening of the first place of worship within the city — Commendable conduct of the Christians towards their slaves — Influence of the Gospel on the conscience in reference to the relationships of social life — Character of the Christians in Vonizongo— Statistical notices of the Christians at Ilafy — Attempts to charm away sickness from the capital — Preparations for the feast of the New Year — The Queen's bathing, and the feast of concord — Family customs ........ 358

Chapter XV

Early religious services on New Year's morning — The city one vast slaughter-house — Family visiting and New Year's rejoicing — The monthly meeting at Ambohipotsy — Appearance of smoke on the way home — Proximity of the fire to my own dwelling — Agitation and alarm among the inhabitants — Methods adopted to drive off the falling flakes of fire — Removal and preservation of the goods— Fierceness and rapid extension of the burning — Destruction of a new place of worship — Absence of the owners of the houses — Extreme want of water — Confused and comparatively useless efforts of the spectators CONTENTS. XVII page to arrest the fire — Extensive and terrific aspect of the fire — Extent and nature of the ground — Numbers and excitement of the spectators — Appearance of fires by night — Acknowledgment of Divine protection — Soldiers and watchmen — Aspect of the scene in the morning — Visits of congratulation and condolence — Inutility and danger of prohibiting the erection of any but buildings of wood in the city — Aid towards the erection of a new chapel — The Queen's visit to Ambohimanga— Rumours of Radama's being alive — Arrest of officers and soldiers — Enquiries respecting the communicants — Mar riage ceremonies in Madagascar among the heathen — Introduction of Christian marriage — First public Christian marriage in Antananarivo 388

Chapter XVI

Consulting the idols — Increased frequency of public amusements — Patience of the Christians — Rumours of the unpopularity of the Prime Minister — Quarrel among the nobles — Flight of the Prime Minister from Ambohimanga — Seeming reconciliation — Sentence of the persons accused of circulating false reports — Assembly at Ambatoroko — Revolting barbarity of the executioners before inflicting the sentence — Dissuasion from a reckless waste of human life — Favours granted by the Ministers to the Mission — The timber of the palace bought for the roof of a church — Rumours of plots against the government — Arrests and punishments — Message of the Queen to the people — The Prime Minister sentenced to banishment — Disposition of his property, and departure — Visit to Ambohimanga — Appointment of Pastors and Deacons — Rainikioto — Hospitable reception at Antsarotrafohy — Notice of the Martyrs — Intercourse with the Christians — Visits to places of concealment — Meeting of the Christians at Ambohipanja . 411

Chapter XVII

Opening of the new chapel on the Martyrs' Rock — -Tombs and objects of interest along the road to Ambohimanga — A plunge in the canal — Friendly reception at the royal village — Wayside music — Interior of a native dwelling — Appearance and position of Ambohimanga — Journey to Imerinamandrosa — Description of the village — The place to which the Christians had been banished — A kabary by moonlight — Village Sunday services — The residence of the idol Ramahavaly — The wearing of hats prohibited — Notice of Razafy, a captive slave Marriage of the Commandant's daughter — Visits to Lazaina — Description of the village and its suburbs— Harmony and good feeling CONTENTS. XVIII page between the Christian and heathen — Notice of Ranivo — Terrific storm on the road from Ilafy— Distribution of toys, as rewards to the children at Christmas — The chapel on the east side of the city and the gateway, Ankadibevava, its structure and antiquity 442

Chapter XVIII

Journey in search of limestone— The remarkable tomb of Rainiharo — Fertile and extensive valley of Betsimitatatra — Reapers in the harvesWield — The bridge at Ambaniala- -Hill of observation — Valley of the silkworm trees — Our lodging-house— Its interior arrangement and inmates — Park-like scenery and beauty of the valley — Extensive mountain scenery — The valley of Madera — Abundance of limestone — Proposal for its transport to the capital — The bridge over the Andromba — Agreement with the government and the people for the limestone — Raising the first pillar of the Queen's new palace — Curious reasons for specific measurements — Dragging of timber, &c. — Progress of the work — Treaty concluded with England — Official declaration of the government respecting the churches — Price of provisions, &c. — Grateful feelings of the Christians — Last services with the Christians — Farewell interview with the Queen — Meeting with Mr. Pool and others— State of the Church — Departure from the capital — Halting at Ambatomanga — Departure from Mauritius — Return to England— Review of events in Madagascar — Present state and prospects of the people ...... 407 EEEATA.

Page 20, line 2 from the bottom,/or " meal " read " meat." „ 41, » 10 „ top, „ "northern" „ "southern." „ 43&147, „ 14&20 „ „ „"Nosi" „ "Mahazo." >, 93, „ 19 „ „ „ "Sacalavas" „ "Sakalavas" (always). 181, „ 8 „ „ „ "right" „ "left." 238, „ 13 „ „ „ "them" „ "their." 243, „ 7 „ „ „ "to" „ "from." 373, „ 14 „ bottom, „ "lead" „ "led." »> 415, „ 4 „ top, „ " able to answer " „ "renowned." LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS. VIEW OF THE CITY FROM THE BATTERY AT AMBODINANDOHALO . Frontispiece. PLACE WHERE THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYRS WERE PUT TO DEATH . 41 PORTRAITS OF NATIVE CHRISTIANS 63 CONSOLATION TO A CHRISTIAN IN CHAINS 65 PORTRAIT OF RAINITSONTSORAKA 74 MEMBERS OF THE MALAGASY GOVERNMENT 220 THE ROYAL PALACE, AND HOUSES OF THE NOBLES, ANTANANARIVO . 24'.) PROMULGATION OF THE LAWS OF THE KINGDOM AT ANDOHALO . . 319 SLAVE MARKET IN THE PUBLIC ROAD, ANTANANARIVO .... 373 ISAROTRAFOHY, THE MARTYR'S HOME 436 ANKADIBEVAVA ANCIENT GATEWAY 405 BRIDGE OVER THE ANDROMBA, BUILT BY RADAMA II 470 MEMORIAL CHURCH AT AMBATONAKANGA 491 PLAN OF Antananarivo At the end of Ihc Volume.

Chapter I

Arrival of tidings of the death of the Queen of Madagascar — Voyage to Mauritius — Official communication from the King to the Governor of Mauritius — Mission of congratulation to the King—Sites for the Memorial Churches promised — Malagasy and English vocabulary compiled by native officers— Arrival at Tamatave — Reception by the authorities and the Christians — Accident to the Commandant — Visit to the battery — Departure for the Capital — Beautiful scenery — Meetings with Christian travellers — Droves of oxen in the forest; — Aspect of the country of Imerina — Meeting of friends and returning exiles — Welcomed on the road by Christians from the Capital — Reception at Ambatomanga — Sunday services and officers from the Capital — Arrival atBetafo — Entrance to Antanauarivo — Welcome from the Christians.

In the autumn of 1861, letters from Mauritius and Mada gascar brought to England tidings of the death of Ranavalo, queen of Madagascar, and of the accession of her son to the throne. The former of these events had been contemplated by all who were interested in the welfare of that country as one which, whenever in the ordinary course of nature it should occur, would diminish, if not terminate, the oppression, cruelty, and fearful destruction of human life which had long afflicted that unhappy land, and had excited the profound commise ration of all civilized communities. The humane disposition of the ydung prince who had now succeeded to the throne, his innate abhorrence of cruelty and bloodshed, his liberal views in relation to intercourse with other B CHAP. I. 2 nations, his strong and deeply-seated patriotism, his compas sionate conduct towards the Christians in their severe and protracted sufferings, his bold and fearless condemnation of bigotry and persecution, whether heathen or Christian, had caused his elevation to the throne to be regarded, not merely by the Hovas, but by the other races in the country, as the dawn of a brighter day for Madagascar.

By foreigners, also, it was hailed as opening the way for future intercourse which it was hoped would prove beneficial to Madagascar, and favourable to the extension of Christianity and civilization in the world. Simultaneously with the arrival of the above intelligence, communications from the Christians at the capital announced the cessation of persecution and the perfect freedom of reli gious worship, with a request from the young king that I would proceed to Madagascar, and their own earnest desire for the return of the missionaries. The London Missionary Society could not hesitate a moment as to the response it should give to this call. It was not a new field which favourable circumstances now for the first time invited its missionaries to enter, but one on which more than forty years before they had commenced their labours, and in which the most difficult parts of the preparation had been accomplished.

The spoken language of the people had been acquired by the missionaries, and in return, that language in a written form had been given to the people, — thousands had been taught to read in their own tongue the sacred Scriptures which the missionaries had translated for them. The most useful arts of civilized life had been, at great expense and on a large scale, taught to the people. The Gospel had been preached, and the first-fruits of Madagascar unto Christ were being gathered in, when the cruel and vindictive paganism of the country, alarmed for its prestige and its power, declared that no other faith should ever live in Madagascar. The missionaries were obliged to leave, the schools were closed, the profession of Christian faith and the practice of Christian CHAP. I. FELLOW PASSENGERS ON THE VOYAGE. 3 -worship were forbidden, and persistence in either was punished with death.

For five and twenty years the Christians, still increasing, liad endured the fiercest persecution. Thousands had suffered bonds, torture, and slavery, and numbers of the best men in the country had been put to death, while others had survived in exile or concealment. The London Missionary Society had not forsaken them during this long night of sorrow and of trial. Twice I had been sent to express sympathy and to convey encouragement to the suffering Christians in Mada gascar; and now, when the hand of persecution had become powerless in death, when liberty of worship was proclaimed, and in God's wise Providence free course given to the Gospel, the Society hastened to obey the call, and renew their long interrupted labours. The London Missionary Society, under these considerations, applied to me to go out again to Madagascar to prepare for resuming their mission in that island, and I embarked at Southampton on the 20th of November, 1861.

The Pera, in which I sailed, was a splendid vessel, and as I found several friends on board, and others joined us at Malta, the voyage to Alexandria was unusually pleasant. From Suez our party in the Noma was increased by passengers from Marseilles, among whom were a number of French residents at Mauritius and six French priests, with several assistants — some of them said to be on their way to Mada gascar. A French officer, M. Le Baron de Brossard Corbeny, charged with presents from the Emperor of the French to the King of Madagascar, was also a fellow -passenger with us. "We occasionally chatted together, and the Abbe's were sometimes within hearing when we held our Sunday service on the deck. On the other hand, when their service was held in the cabin on Sunday morning, the table which the priests used for an altar stood so near the door of my cabin that I was sometimes a prisoner during the whole time of their worship. b CHAP. I. 4 MADAGASCAR REVISITED.

The attentions of Captain Bain contributed much to the pleasure of the voyage, and when, on the 27th of December, we reached Port Louis, the welcome I received soon convinced me that Mauritius had lost none of its generous hospitality. The vague but strange rumours about Madagascar which I had heard before leaving England, or in the ports at which we had touched on our way, proved — as most of the same kind have subsequently done — entirely unfounded. There was no civil war in Madagascar. The king had not become a Roman Catholic. M. Lambert was not Prime Minister of the kingdom, and the Christians had not placed themselves under the teaching and guidance of the priests. When the king, a short time previously, had officially informed the Governor of Mauritius of his accession to the throne and of his wish to maintain friendly relations with foreign countries, Sir William Stevenson, with that promptitude and judgment which characterized his administration, despatched a special mission to the new sovereign with a letter of congratulation and friendship, and sent also a number of valuable presents, including two riding horses for the king.