the largest of the African islands, is situated between 43° and 51° E. Long. and between 12° and 26° S. Lat.; extending in length near 1000 miles from north-north-east to south-south-west, and about 300 in breadth where broadest. It was discovered in 1506 by Laurence Almeida; but the Persians and the Arabians were acquainted with it from time immemorial under the name of Serandib. Alphonzo Albuquerque ordered Ruy Pereira de Conthino to visit the interior parts, and that general intrusted Tristan d'Azeunha with the survey. The Portuguese called it the island of St Lawrence; the French who visited it in the reign of Henry IV. named it Île Dauphine; its proper name is Madagasc. It is now, however, by common consent, called Madagascar.

This large island, according to many learned geographers, is the Cerne of Pliny, and the Memuthiafide of Ptolemy. It is everywhere watered by large rivers, streams and rivulets, which have their sources at the foot of that long chain of mountains which runs through the whole extent of the island from east to west. The two highest promontories are called Viva-Madagasc-gora and Rotiflume.

Thee mountains (according to the abbé Rochon*) enclose within their bosoms a variety of precious minerals and useful fossils. The traveller (who for the first time rambles over savage and mountainous countries, intersected with valleys and with hills, where nature left to herself brings forth the most singular and the most varied productions) is involuntarily surprised and terrified at the sight of precipices, the summits of which are crowned with monstrous trees, that seem coeval with the world. His astonishment is redoubled at the noise of those grand cascades, the approach to which is generally inaccessible. But to those views so sublimely picturesque, rural scenes soon succeed; little hills, gently rising grounds, and plains, the vegetation of which is never repressed by the intemperance or the vicissitude of the seasons. The eye contemplates with pleasure those vast savannas which nourish numberless herds of bullocks and of sheep. You behold a flourishing agriculture, produced almost solely by the fertilizing womb of nature. The fortunate inhabitants of Madagascar do not bedew the earth with their sweat; they scarcely stir the ground with a rake, and even that slight preparation is sufficient. They scrape little holes at a small distance from each other, into which they scatter a few grains of rice, and cover them with their feet; and so great is the fertility of the soil, that the lands sown in this careless manner produce a hundred fold.

The forests present a prodigious variety of the most useful and the most beautiful trees; ebony, wood for dyeing, bamboos of an enormous thickness, and palm trees of every kind. The timber employed in ship-building is no less common than those kinds so much prized by the cabinetmaker. We are told by the French governor Flacourt, in his history of this island†, that in the year 1650 he sent to France 52,000 weight of aloes of an excellent quality. All of these various trees and shrubs are surrounded by an infinite number of parasitical plants; mushrooms of an infinite diversity of kinds and colours are to be met with everywhere in the woods: and the inhabitants know well how to distinguish those which are prejudicial to the health. They collect large quantities of useful gums and resins; and out of the milky sap of a tree, denominated by them singuere, a species of jatropha, the inhabitants, by means of coagulation, make that singular substance known to naturalists by the name of gum elastic, or Indian rubber.

Besides the aromatic and medicinal herbs which abound in the forests, the island produces flax and hemp of a length and strength which surpass any in Europe. Sugar-canes, wax, honey of different kinds, tobacco, indigo, white-pepper, gum-lac, ambergris, silk, and cotton, would long since have been objects of commerce which Madagascar would have yielded in profusion, if the Europeans, in visiting the island, had furnished the inhabitants with the necessary information for preparing and improving these several productions.

The sugar canes (as we are informed by another traveller‡) are much larger and finer than any in the West Indies; being as thick as a man's wrist, and so full of juice, that a foot of them will weigh two pounds. When the natives travel, they carry a sugar-cane along with them, which will support them for two or three days. Here are also plenty of tamarinds; and such quantities of limes and oranges, that very large casks may may be filled with their juices at a trifling expence, as they may be purchased for iron pots, muskets, powder, ball, &c. During the short time that Admiral Watson's squadron stayed here in 1754, Mr Ives preserved about half a hoghead full of those juices, which proved afterwards of the greatest service to the ships crews. It must be observed, however, that no good water is to be had at St Augustine in the south-west part of the island, where ships usually touch, unless boats are sent for it four or five miles up the river; and instead of filling their casks at low water (as is the case in most other rivers), they must begin to fill at about a quarter's flood: The reason assigned for this is, that the river has a communication with the sea at other places besides this of St Augustine's bay; and it has been found by experience, that the sea water brought into the river by the flood tide is not discharged till a quarter's flood of the next tide in St Augustine's bay; and for three miles up the river, the water is always very brackish, if not quite salt.

The abundance and variety of provisions of every kind, which a fine climate and fertile soil can produce, are on no part of the globe, according to M. Rochon, superior to those of Madagascar: game, wild-fowl, poultry, fish, cattle, and fruits, are alike plentiful. The oxen, Mr Ives also informs us, are large and fat, and have each a protuberance of fat between the shoulders, weighing about 20 pounds. Their flesh is greatly esteemed by all the European nations trading to India, and ships are sent to Madagascar on purpose to kill and salt them on the island. The protuberance of fat above mentioned is particularly esteemed after it has lain some time in salt; but our author says, that he could not join in the encomiums either on this piece or the beef in general; as the herbage on which the creatures feed gives their flesh a particular taste, which to him was disagreeable. The sheep differ little from the goats; being equally hairy, only that their heads are somewhat larger: their necks resemble that of a calf, and their tails weigh at least ten pounds. Vast quantities of locusts rise here from the low lands in thick clouds, extending sometimes to an incredible length and breadth. The natives eat these insects, and even prefer them to their finest fish. Their method of dressing them is to strip off their legs and wings, and fry them in oil.

The inhabitants (termed Melagaches or Madecasses), M. Rochon informs us, are in person above the middle size of Europeans. The colour of the skin is different in different tribes: among some it is of a deep black, among others tawny; some of the natives are of a copper colour, but the complexion of by far the greatest number is olive. All those who are black have woolly hair like the negroes of the coast of Africa: those, on the other hand, who resemble Indians and Mulattoes, have hair equally straight with that of the Europeans; the nose is not broad and flat; the forehead is large and open; in short, all the features are regular and agreeable. Their physiognomy displays the appearance of frankness and of satisfaction; they are desirous only of learning such things as may administer to their necessities; that species of knowledge which demands reflection is indifferent to them; sober, agile, active, they spend the greatest part of their time either in sleep or in amusement. In fine, according to the Abbé, the native of Madagascar, like savages in general, possesses a character equally devoid of vice and of virtue; the gratifications of the present moment solely occupy his reflections; he possesses no kind of foresight whatever; and he cannot conceive the idea that there are men in the world who trouble themselves about the evils of futurity.

The population of the island has been estimated at four millions; but this calculation is thought exaggerated by our author, and indeed it appears incredible to us. Every tribe or society inhabits its own canton, and is governed by its own customs. Each of these acknowledges a chief; this chief is sometimes elective, but more usually hereditary. The lands are not divided and portioned out, but belong to those who are at the trouble of cultivating them. These islanders make use of neither locks nor keys; the principal part of their food consists in rice, fish, and fowl; their rice is moistened with a soup which is seasoned with pimento, ginger, saffron, and aromatic herbs. They display wonderful cunning in catching a variety of birds, many of which are unknown in Europe; they have the pheasant, the partridge, the quail, the pintado, the wild duck, teal of five or fix different kinds, the blue hen, the black parquet, and the turtle-dove, in great plenty; and also a bat of a monstrous size, which is much prized on account of its exquisite flavour. These last are so hideous in their appearance, that they at first terrify the European sailors: but after they have vanquished their repugnance to them, they prize their flesh infinitely before that of the pullets of their own country. The Melagaches also catch an immense quantity of sea-fish: such as the dorado, the sole, the herring, the mackerel, the turtle, &c. with oysters, crabs, &c. The rivers afford excellent eels, and mullets of an exquisite flavour.

The inhabitants near St Augustine's bay, Mr Ives informs us, speak as much broken English as enables them to exchange their provisions for European articles. These, on the part of the Melagaches are cattle, poultry, milk, fruit, rice, salt, porcelain, potatoes, yams, fish, lances, and shells. From the Europeans they receive muskets, powder, bullets, flints, clouties, (including handkerchiefs, and linen of all kinds), beads, iron pots, &c.—Silver, which they call mania, is in great esteem with them, and is made by them into bracelets for their wives.

That part of the island at which the English squadron touched, is the dominions of the king of Boba, who, by the account of Mr Ives, seemed greatly to affect to be an Englishman. They had no sooner touched at the island, than they were waited on by one called Robin Hood, and another person, both of whom bore the office of purfes. Along with these were Phillibey the general; John Anderdon and Frederic Martin, captains. Nor did the king himself and his family disdain to pay them a visit; who, in like manner, were distinguished by English names; the king's eldest son being called the prince of Wales, and the court not being without a duke of Cumberland, a prince Augustus, princesses, &c. as in England. All these grandees came on board naked, excepting only a slight covering about their loins and on their shoulders, made of a kind of grass growing on the island; which they had adorned with small glass beads by way of border or fringe. Their hair resembled that of the Indians in being long and black, rather than the woolly heads of the African negroes. "The wives of the Melagaches (according to our author) take great pains with their husbands hair; sometimes putting it in large and regular curls; at other times braiding it in great order, and making it shine with a particular oil which the island produces. The men always carry in their hands a wooden lance headed with iron, which is commonly made very neat; and they are such excellent marksmen, that they will strike with it a very small object at 30 or 40 yards distance. They have also commonly a musket, which they get from Europeans in exchange for cattle, and are always sure to keep in excellent order. I am sorry to say (continues Mr Ives) that the English are frequently guilty of great impositions in this kind of traffic, by disposing of cheap and ill-tempered barrels among the poor inhabitants, who sometimes lose their lives by the bursting of these pieces. Such iniquitous practices as these must in the end prove injurious to the nation; and has indeed already made the name of more than one-half of these traders truly infamous among the deluded but hitherto friendly Madagascarians.

"They are a civil and good-natured people, but easily provoked, and apt to show their resentment on the least provocation, especially when they think themselves injured or slighted. Another characteristic of them is, the very high notions of dignity they entertain of their king; which is carried to such a height, that they are never more sensibly hurt than when they imagine he is treated with incivility or disrespect. This mighty monarch resides in a town built with mud, about 12 miles up the country from St Augustine's bay. On the east side of the bay, as you enter, there resided one Prince William, a relation and tributary to the king; but who in most cases acted as an independent prince, and always used his utmost endeavours with the officers to cause them buy their provisions from him, and not from the king or his subjects. In this prince's territories, not far from the sea, are the remains of a fort built by Avery the pirate.

"All the women of Madagascar, excepting the very poorest fort, wear a covering over their breasts and shoulders, ornamented with glass beads, and none go without a cloth about their loins. They commonly walk with a long slender rod or stick. The men are allowed to marry as many women as they can support.

"During our stay at this island (says Mr Ives), I observed with great concern, several miserable objects in the last stage of the venereal disease. They had not been able to find any cure; and as far as I could learn, their doctors are totally ignorant of medicine. The only method they use for curing all distempers, as well external as internal, is the wearing on the arm or neck a particular charm or amulet; or befoaming the part affected with earth moistened with the juice of some plant or tree, and made up into soft paste.

"I took some pains to learn their religious tenets; and find that they worship one Universal Father; whom, when they speak in English, they call God; and in whom they conceive all kinds of perfection to reside. The sun they look upon as a glorious body; and, I believe, as a spiritual being, but created and dependent. They frequently look up to it with wonder, if not with praise and adoration. They make their supplications to the One Almighty, and offer sacrifices to him in their distresses. I had the curiosity to attend a sacrifice, at the hut of John Anderson, whose father had for a long time been afflicted with sickness. About sunset an ox was brought into the yard; and the son, who officiated as priest, slew it. An altar was reared nigh, and the pelt of it was sprinkled with the blood of the victim. The head after its being severed from the body, was placed, with the horns on, at the foot of the altar: the caul was burned on the fire, and most of the pluck and entrails boiled in a pot. The sick man, who was brought to the door, and placed on the ground so as to face the sacrifice, prayed often, and seemingly with great fervency. His eyes were fixed attentively towards the heavens, and his hands held up in a supplicating posture. The ceremony ended with the son's cutting up the ox into small pieces; the greatest part of which he distributed among the poor slaves belonging to his father and himself; reserving, however, some of the best pieces for his own use. Upon the whole, I saw so many circumstances in this Madagascarian sacrifice, so exactly resembling those described in the Old Testament as offered up by the Jews, that I could not turn my thoughts back to the original, without being sensibly struck by the exactness of the copy."

When the squadron first arrived at Madagascar, the king of Baba, a man of about 60 years of age, was ill of the gout. Having demanded of Admiral Watson some presents, the latter complimented him, among other things, with some brandy. The monarch then asked him if he had any doctor with him, and if he was a great doctor, and a king's doctor? To all which being answered in the affirmative, he desired him to bring some mahomets (medicines) for his sick knee. With this requisition Mr Ives desisted to comply; but having waited until some officers should be ready to accompany him, his majesty, in the mean time, took such a dose of brandy as quickly sent the gout into his head, and occasioned his death. Mr Ives observes, that it happened very luckily for him that the monarch's decease happened without his having taken any of the medicines intended for him, as it would have been impossible to avoid the imputation of having poisoned him, which would certainly have been resented by his loyal subjects.

The king's death occasioned great confusion; the grandees being desirous that it should be concealed for some time. This, however, was found impossible; on which they set off for the Mud Town about 11 o'clock the same evening. All the inhabitants of the village followed their example; leaving only the dogs, who set up the most hideous howling. Captain Frederic Martin coming to take leave of the English, begged with great earnestness for a fresh supply of gunpowder; whispering that the king was dead, and that they should in all probability go to war about making another. They had been formerly told, that one who had the title of duke of Baba would certainly succeed to the throne; but they afterwards learned, that Philibey the general having eloped the cause of Raphani the late king's son, and taken him under his tutelage and protection, this youth, who was only about 16 years of age, succeeded his father as king of Baba.

The following is a description of the southern division of the island, from the Abbé Rochon.

"That part of Madagascar in which Fort-Dauphin is situated is very populous. Almost all the villages are placed on eminences, and surrounded with two rows of strong palissadoes, somewhat in the manner of such of our fences as are composed of hurdles and turf. Within, is a parapet of solid earth about four feet in height; large pointed bamboos placed at the distance of five feet from each other, and sunk in a pit, form a kind of loop-holes, which contribute towards the defence of these villages, some of which are besides fortified with a ditch ten feet in breadth and six in depth. The dwelling of the chief is called a donac. When the chiefs go abroad, they are always provided with a musket and a stick armed with iron, and adorned at the extremity with a little tuft of cow's hair. They wear a bonnet of red wool. It is chiefly by the colour of their bonnet that they are distinguished from their subjects. Their authority is extremely limited: however, in the province of Carcanoffi, the lands by custom belong to their chiefs, who distribute them among their subjects for the purposes of cultivation; they exact a trifling quit-rent in return, which in their language is called fuen/a. The people of Carcanoffi are not altogether ignorant of the art of writing; they even possess some historical works in the Madagascar tongue: but their learned men, whom they term Ombiaffers, make use of the Arabic characters alone. They have treaties on medicine, geomancy, and judicial astrology; the most renowned live in the province of Matanane; it is in that district that magic still remains in all its glory; the Matanes are actually dreaded by the other Madacallees on account of their excellence in this delusive art. The Ombiaffers have public schools in which they teach geomancy and astrology. The natives have undoubtedly learned the art of writing from the Arabians, who made a conquest of this island about 300 years since.

"The people of the province of Anoffs, near Fort Dauphin, are lively, gay, sensible, and grateful; they are passionately fond of women; are never melancholy in their company; and their principal occupation is to please the sex; indeed, whenever they meet their wives, they begin to sing and dance. The women, from being happy, are always in good humour. Their lively and cheerful character is extremely pleasing to the Europeans. I have often been present at their assemblies, where affairs of importance have been agitated; I have observed their dances, their sports, and their amusements, and I have found them free from those excesses which are but too common among polished nations. Indeed I was too young at this time for my observations to be of much weight; but if my experience be insufficient to inspire confidence, I beg the reader will rather consider the nature of things, than the relations given by men without principles or intelligence, who fancy that they have a right to tyrannize over the inhabitants of every country which they can subdue. If the people of Madagascar have sometimes availed themselves of treachery, they have been forced to it by the tyranny of the Europeans. The weak have no other arms against the strong. Could they defend themselves by any other means from our artillery and bayonets? They are uninformed and helpless; and we avail ourselves of their weakness, in order to make them submit to our covetousness and caprice. They receive the most cruel and oppressive treatment, in return for the hospitality which they generously bestow on us; and we call them traitors and cowards, when we force them to break the yoke with which we have been pleased to load them."

In the second volume of Count Benyowsky's Memoirs and Travels we have the following account of the religion, government, &c. of the people of this island.

"The Madagascar nation believe in a Supreme Being, whom they call Zanhare, which denotes creator of all things. They honour and revere this Being; but have dedicated no temple to him, and much less have they substituted idols. They make sacrifices, by killing oxen and sheep, and they address all these libations to God. It has been asserted, that this nation likewise makes offerings to the devil: but in this there is a deception; for the piece of the sacrificed beast which is usually thrown into the fire is not intended in honour of the devil, as is usually pretended. This custom is very ancient, and no one can tell the true reason of it. With regard to the immortality of the soul, the Madagascar people are persuaded, that, after their death, their spirit will return again to the region in which the Zanhare dwells; but they by no means admit that the spirit of man, after his death, can suffer any evil. As to the distinction of evil or good, they are persuaded that the good and upright man shall be recompensed, in this life, by a good state of health, the confiancy of his friends, the increase of his fortune, the obedience of his children, and the happiness of beholding the prosperity of his family: and they believe that the wicked man's fate shall be the contrary to this. The Madagascar people, upon this conviction, when they make oaths, add benedictions in favour of those who keep them, and curses against those who break them. In this manner it is that they appeal to the judgment of Zanhare, in making agreements; and it has never been known, or heard of, that a native of Madagascar has broken his oath, provided it was made in the usual manner, which they lay was prescribed by their forefathers.

"As to their kings and form of government, &c. the Madagascar people have always acknowledged the line of Ramini, as that to which the rights of Ampanacabe or sovereign belongs. They have considered this line as extinct since the death of Dian Ramini Larizon, which happened 66 years ago, and whose body was buried upon a mountain, out of which the river Manangourou springs; but having acknowledged the heir of this line on the female side, they re-established this title in the year 1776. The right of the Ampanacabe consists in nominating the Rohandrians to assist in the cabars, at which all those who are cited are bound to appear, and the judgment of the Ampanacabe in his cabar is decisive. Another prerogative of the Ampanacabe is, that each Rohandrian is obliged to leave him by will a certain proportion of his property, which the successors usually purchase by a slight tribute or fine. Thirdly, The Ampanacabe has a right to exact from each Rohandrian one-tenth tenth of the produce of his land, and a number of horned cattle and slaves, in proportion to the riches of the country possessed by each Rohandrian. The second order is composed of the Rohandrians, or princes. Since the loss of the Ampanafacabe, three of these Rohandrians have assumed the title of kings, namely the Rohandrian of the province of Mahavelou, named Hiaui; of the province of Voemar, named Lambouin; and a third at Bombetoki, named Cimanounpou. The third order consists of the Voadziri, or lords of a district, composed of several villages. The fourth order consists of the Lohavohits, or chiefs of villages. The fifth order, Ondzatzi, who are freemen, compose the attendants or followers of the Rohandrians, Voadziri, or Lohavohits. The sixth order consists of Ombiasies, or learned men; and this order forms the warriors, workmen, physicians, and diviners: these last possess no charge. The seventh order consists of Ampurias or slaves.

"Having made inquiries from Bombetoki passing to the northward, and as far as Itapere, the result proved that there are 38 Rohandrians actually reigning, and 287 Voadziri. With respect to the Lohavohits, Ondzatzi, and Ombiasies, it was not possible to obtain any accurate determination of their number. These orders preserve a regular gradation, respecting which it would be very difficult to give a detailed account. They live in the manner we read of concerning the ancient patriarchs. Every father of a family is priest and judge in his own house, though he depends upon the Lohavohits, who superintends his conduct. This last is answerable to his Voadziri, and the Voadziri to the Rohandrian.

"The Madagascar people having no communication with the main land of Ethiopia, have not altered their primitive laws; and the language throughout the whole extent of the island is the same. It would be a rash attempt to determine the origin of this nation; it is certain that it consists of three distinct races, who have for ages past formed intermixtures which vary to infinity. The first race is that of Zafe Ibrahim, or descendants of Abraham; but they have no vestige of Judaism, except circumcision, and some names, such as Isaac, Reuben, Jacob, &c. This race is of a brown colour.—The second race is that of Zaf-feramini: with respect to this, some books which are still extant among the Ombiasies, affirm that it is not more than six centuries since their arrival at Madagascar.—With respect to the third race of Zafe Canambou, it is of Arabian extraction, and arrived much more lately than the others from the coasts of Ethiopia: hence it possesses neither power nor credit, and fills only the charges of writers, historians, poets, &c.

"In regard to arts and trades, the Madagascar nation are contented with such as are necessary to make their moveables, tools, utensils, and arms for defence; to construct their dwellings, and the boats which are necessary for their navigation; and lastly, to fabricate cloths and stuffs for their clothing. They are desirous only of possessing the necessary supplies of immediate utility and convenience. The principal and most respected business, is the manufacture of iron and steel. The artists in this way call themselves am-panefa viba. They are very expert in fusing the ore, and forging utensils, such as hatchets, hammers, anvils, knives, spades, sagayes, razors, pincers, or tweezers for pulling out the hair, &c. The second class consists of the goldsmiths (ompanefa vola mena): they cast gold in ingots, and make up bracelets, buckles, ear-rings, drops, rings, &c. The third are called ompavi-langa, and are potters. The fourth are the ompaveca-ta, or turners in wood, who make boxes called watta, plates, wooden and horn spoons, bee-hives, coffins, &c. The fifth ompan eacefou, or carpenters. They are very expert in this business, and make use of the rule, the plane, the compasses, &c. The sixth are the ompania-vi, or ropemakers. They make their ropes of different kinds of bark of trees, and likewise of hemp. The seventh, ampan lamba, or weavers. This business is performed by women only, and it would be reckoned disgraceful in a man to exercise it. The ombiafie are the literary men and physicians, who give advice only. The heranviviz are comedians and dancers.

"The Madagascar people always live in society; that is to say, in towns and villages. The towns are surrounded by a ditch and palliades (as already mentioned), at the extremities of which a guard of from 12 to 20 armed men is kept. The houses of private people consist of a convenient cottage, surrounded by several small ones: the master of the house dwells in the largest, and his women or slaves lodge in the smaller. These houses are built of wood, covered with leaves of the palm tree or straw.

"The houses of the great men of the country are very spacious; each house is composed of two walls and four apartments: round about the principal house other smaller habitations are built for the accommodation of the women, and the whole family of the chief; but the slaves cannot pass the night within them.—Most of the houses inhabited by the Rohandrians are built with taste and admirable symmetry."

The French attempted to conquer and take possession of the whole island, by order, and for the use of, their Most Christian Majesties Louis XIII. and XIV. and they maintained a footing on it from the year 1642 to 1657. During this period, by the most cruel treachery, they taught the native princes the barbarous traffic in slaves, by villainously selling to the Dutch governor of Mauritius a number of innocent people, who had been assisting them in forming a settlement at Fort Dauphin.

The Abbé Rochon tells us, that the infalubrity of the air in Madagascar determined his countrymen in 1664 to quit that immense island, in order to establish themselves at so inconsiderable a place as the isle of Bourbon, which is scarcely perceptible in a map of the globe: but it is apparent, from the account of the state of the French affairs on the island of Madagascar, in 1661, when Flacourt's narrative was published, that their ill treatment of the natives had raised such a general and formidable opposition to their residence in the country, that the French were obliged to abandon their possessions for other reasons than the unhealthy qualities of the climate. We have not room here for a detail of all the oppressive measures of the French, which the abbé himself candidly censures in the strongest terms; but I shall extract the following narrative, both because it is interesting in itself, and exhibits the causes and the means of their expulsion. La Cafe, one of the French officers employed by the governor of Fort Dauphin against the natives, was so successful in all his enterprises, that they called him Deaan Pous, the name of a chief who had formerly conquered the whole island. The French governor, jealous of his renown, treated him harshly, and refused to allow him the rank or honours due to his valour. The sovereign of the province of Amboulle, called Deaan Rajcitat, taking advantage of his discontent, prevailed on him to become his general. Five Frenchmen followed him. Deaan Nong, the daughter of Rajcitat, captivated by the person and heroism of La Cafe, offered him her hand with the consent of her father. The chief, grown old, infirm, and arrived at the last stage of existence, had the satisfaction of securing the happiness of his subjects, by appointing his son-in-law absolute master of the rich province of Amboulle. La Cafe, in marrying Deaan Nong, refused to take the titles and honours attached to the sovereign power: he would accept of no other character, than that of the first subject of his wife, who was declared sovereign at the death of her father. Secure in the affection of this princess, who was not only possessed of personal charms, but of courage and great qualities, he was beloved and respected by her family, and by all the people of Amboulle, who reverenced him as a father; and yet, how muchsoever he wished it, he was unable to contribute to the prosperity of his countrymen at Fort Dauphin, whom he knew to be in the utmost distress. The governor, regarding him as a traitor, had set a price on his head, and on the heads of the five Frenchmen who had followed him. The neighbouring chiefs, irritated at this treatment of a man whom they so much venerated, unanimously refused to supply the fort with provisions. This occasioned a famine in the place, which, with a contagious fever and other maladies, reduced the French garrison to 80 men.

The establishment at Fort Dauphin, on the point of being totally destroyed, was preserved for a short time from ruin by the arrival of a vessel from France, commanded by Kercadio an officer of Brittany, who, with the assistance of a young advocate who had been kidnapped on board the vessel, prevailed on the envious and implacable governor Chamargou to make peace with La Cafe and his sovereign spouse Deaan Nong. This peace, however, lasted but for a short time; the French, restless and insolent to the neighbouring nations, again drew on them the vengeance of the natives. Even the few friends whom they had been able to acquire by means of La Cafe, were rendered hostile to them by the tyrannic zeal of the missionaries; who, not contented with being tolerated and allowed to make converts, insisted on Deaan Manang, sovereign of Mandraey, a powerful, courageous, and intelligent chief, well disposed to the French, to divorce all his wives but one. This prince, not convinced of the necessity of such a measure, assured them that he was unable to change his habits and way of living, which were those of his forefathers. "You would allow me (says he) to have one wife; but if the possession of one woman is a blessing, why should a numerous seraglio be an evil, while peace and concord reign among those of whom it is composed? Do you see among us any indications of jealousy or hatred? No, all our women are good; all try to make me happy; and I am more their slave than their master." This speech had no effect on Father Stephen, superior of the Madagascar mission. He peremptorily ordered him instantly to repudiate all his wives except one; and threatened, in presence of the women, to have them taken from him by the French soldiers, if he hesitated in complying with his commands. It is easy to imagine, says M. Rochon, with what indignation this language must have been heard in the donac or palace of this prince. The females failed the missionary on all sides; loaded him with execrations and blows; and in their fury, would doubtless have afforded him no more quarter than the Thracian women did Orpheus, if Deaan Manang, notwithstanding his own agitation, had not made use of all his authority to save him.

In order to free himself from the persecution of this priest, he removed with his family 70 or 80 miles up into the country; but he was soon followed by Father Stephen and another missionary, with their attendants. The chief, Manang, still received them civilly; but he intreated them no longer to insist on the conversion of him and his people, as it was impossible to oblige them to quit the customs and manners of their ancestors. The only reply which Father Stephen made to this intreaty, was by tearing off the oh, and the amulets and charms which the chief wore as sacred badges of his own religion; and, throwing them into the fire, he declared war against him and his nation. This violence instantly cost him and his followers their lives: they were all massacred by order of Manang, who vowed the destruction of all the French in the island; in which intention he proceeded in a manner that has been related by an eye-witness, who was afterwards provincial commissary of artillery, in a narrative published at Lyons in 1722, entitled, Voyage de Madagascar. "Our yoke (says the Abbé Rochon) was become odious and insupportable. Historians, for the honour of civilized nations, should bury in oblivion the afflicting narratives of the atrocities exercised on these people, whom we are pleased to call barbarous, treacherous, and deceitful, because they have revolted against European adventurers, whose least crime is that of violating the sacred rites of hospitality."

It was about the year 1672 that the French were totally driven from the island of Madagascar; and no considerable attempts were made to form fresh establishments there till within these few years, by M. de Modave, and by Count Benyowki; neither of which was attended with success, for reasons given by the Abbé, but which we have not room to detail.