- ttfArfor (1 plitmeitiTt+mn" - DECEMBER 4, 1858 r?,1 1

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ELLIS'S THREE viSITS TO IfilDACiASCAlt* II By his former -history and his present visits, Mr. Ellis lliSo; made Madagascar as it were his own subject. Yet notwithstanding his labours ,andi those 'of others; the Island takedfa lees'Oenapicaions position before the world, and has had less attention paid to it than might have-been expected from its size, its site, its fertility, and its people. Extending over a larger space than :Great -Britain and Ireland,and lying midway between the,Capo and Arabia, and rnear the rigniaiiiirt curious and various pro- idnetionivin the anineteallandl,vegetable kingdonni,, and peopled 'by an, ingenious and indiletribus:trace, it has yet slipped out of the intad oft& world at large. 'Illeographers and naturalists of contie have done their best to delineate or describe its phenomena, phy- sical features and animal; 'Vegetable and mineral productions. -When buccaneering passed 'into piracy, pirates betook themselves to Madagascar; but their vocation 'being put ,dowii by /growing commerce and the means of protecting it, they are said to have established the slave trade. Attempts have been made to settle 'sit? y sown. Fo ; rmefly chie `x-r ade was in slaves and cattle

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/304 1Putlhps, 4,* ,ir --f the :deadly character . the torRonrbon ilw4,444p,A0.4itiAi, 44bu we induced its chiefs to enter into a treaty te.sto.pAlie slave. tradc. the legitiiiitite-dOni-'' meree still :flourished- „After ,tbe., 4eath of ' !hideout, who pa- tronized the missionaries and proteeted' Christianity ; and the accession of the present Queen, the '.teaehers" were banished, t836;y the -convertel'ertelly persecuted; and the exercise of the Christian religion prohibited. Commerce, such as it however, still continued, and might have gone on quietly enough ; but the foreigners who were driven out appealed to their respective nations ; in 1845, an English and two French vessels applied at Tamatave for satisfaction and not getting it, landed and attacked the fort. The attacking parties, however, were beaten off; the heads of the fallen were stuck upon poles in the European fashion of a century ago; and all trade forbidden. The French Government appear, to , have kept the quarrel open as a means of future action, and 'projects of invasion are occasion- allyr.reported. The English Government seems to have dropped the subject ; but, however unimportant the trade in cattle might be to the empire at large, it was of consequence to the Mauritius as during its suspension people had short commons of beef. Various efforts were made to open the ports of Madagascar ; but the Queen's Government stood upon their dignity and required compensation. At last, in 1854, the merchants of the Mauritius subscribed 15,000 dollars, which were graciously accepted as an amende, profitable as well as honourable. What are the precise "relations" of our Foreign Office with Madagascar we do not know; neither do we clearly see our way as to the effect of this payment on the public character of Queen Victoria, "her crown and dignity." However, the Malagasy diplomatists were equal to the occasion. With the money in prospect, they drew the docu- ment so as strictly to embrace only the agents and the people who sent them"; ; and upon them the glory or shame of. the transaction rests. The document, moreover, is remarkable as a direct and sensible state-paper, basing the law of nations on ra- tional grounds. "Good counsel marry, learn it, learn it, Mar- quis," and for that matter count, viscount, earl, or any foreign minister whatever.

" Antannarivo, [the capital], 23 Asoratany, 1851, 23d October, 1853. "To Messrs. J. Cameron and A. Mangeot, and the people who sent them with this payment for the ofknee committed by William Kelly and Remain 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 proposed to be paid by you for (or on account of) the offence of Remain 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 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 subjects,) but to the Queen of Madagascar, so we will take the custom-duties both on imports and exports as formerly—for we change not.

"And in regard to the exportation of slaves beyond the sea, Radama dis- liked that practice, and our Queen has made no alteration ; therefore we can- not export slaves beyond the sea. "Arid this also has to be told to you. A certain European, a Frenchman,

has taken possession of a place at Maly, as a port for ships, where he is re- siding, and erecting a house and a magazine. Our superior officers have therefore sent to drive him away beyond sea. We shall not kill him, but 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 • Three nails to Madagascar during the years 1853, 1854, 1858. Including a Journey to the Capital, with Notices of the Natural History of the Country, and of the present Civilisation of the People. By the Rev. William Ellis, F.H.B. Author of " Polynesian Researches." Illustrated by Wood-cuts from Photographs, &c. Published by Murray.

[MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT.]

y ou should say,—Why, Alit& tamlibisAusened„,,,lo yin; againAkstray,ihe.nro- party of Europeasjr --L'•-a. " 11 •r11-11 sv ;jf! r in lir in !!ky Tr. ,‘ And thia alsoa Us to be told to you. If awy'Enropealt shall laud at any place within the boundary of Madagascar, where there aref net.soldiers sta- ,tioned, and talie,pp anon of. that.plate,as a port, such eanduat,mili be an

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offence, and his pt erty sill betaken as our spoil, and he hirtirMif Will be driven away beyoh the sea. " And thig also has to be told to you, that, as each sovereign baslestab- -fished the law of fit land, whether it be our sovereign or your sovereign, so in our land the thiegs we do not sell are not to be shipped upon the sea ; and in regard to the things you do not sell, yon of course need not bring them

for sale. ;

"Farewell, hems's, dm., to you, saith„ a' a 0 u.,..-tcittntitt, I T . Tili • ‘:1::" 110P4Ouf,,otticer 4 thaval...." It was this bpsmese t a enabled' Mr. lis to visit _la agascar. • • ' iig 11 iil . Fi — • • '1 Na -"" The first oceasitii, in 18.13 was preliminary—just to ask the,price ; and though allowed to land and provided. with accouiodation, still

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it was only on sufferance. On the Second oe,casion, in 1854, the lustre Of the dollArs was reflected on Mr. Ellis ; he was permitted to live at Tamiitave and excursio.nize in-the neighbourhood. He was not, how v , trovipstrtkpleapteplA au.- likely on acco t o one reason ii.114er—tte-fearrut

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Another reason as formal ; that as Mr, Ellis and Mr. Caineron had written &joint letter the year beffire, 'they Must do so now ; and Mr. Cameron was at the r ape. However, the court relented ; whethar from tspentaneous feeling or under the influence of the heir apparent, A.o is said to be a Christian; for Madagascar so far partakes of the spirit of the age as to have like Russia, Japan, and other places, a progrpsaiye as /well as a. renetinnary Flirty. On Mr. Ellis' s ; return homewaid a letter overtook Inin at the Cape, and a second reached him in England &Fruiting the required permisaion. Mr. Ellis energetically availed hiniself of it ; arrived in Madagascar in July 1856, and started for the capital as a royal guest, in a native palanquin, with a long train of attendants. The palanquin, however, was often quitted to make botanibal collections from the rich! and varied Flora around him ; and the evening halt was spent in observation, or friendly confab with the natives ; for though the traveller's know- ledge of the language was limited he could make himself under- stood. Many of the higher classes too, through missionary teach- ing, an education in England during the reign of the Madagas- car Peter the Great, Radania, or opportunities of intercourse, can speak English with more or less fluency ; so that interpreters were generally present. At the capital, as at Tamatave, and occasionally on the road, photography and the electric telegraph were subjects of discourse or exhibition, eliciting, especially the telegraph, he native character.

"The Governor and his friends examined, most minutely and attentively,

the different parts of the apparatus, particularly the connecting of the wires with the batteries, the instruments and the mode of working them, and seemed to be at a loss to express his. astonishment and delight, when in- formed that the movements of the needles which they saw produced by working the handles of the instrument signified, according to their number and direction, the letters of the alphabet., and thus spelt the words of the message that was sent, and also caused the needles at the other extremity of the wire to make the same detleetions, signifying the same letters, where- by the observer there could read the message as plainly and nearly as quickly as a written communication.

"They seemed to comprehend and rejoice in the perception of the simple

mode of representing letters by motions of the needles • but what the power was which travelled so instantaneously and imperceptibly along the wire, moving the needles so accurately at the distant end, they could neither comprehend nor imagine. I could only tell them that it was a force or power very widely diffused, and performing an important part in the opera- tions of nature, which was called electricity ; but what that electricity really was the wisest men amongst us did not know, though they were able by means of its power to perform things truly wonderful. It was not the blank unquestioning wonder of stolid ignorance, satisfied that the facts were something beyond immediate comprehension, and therefore probably super- natural, which they manifested, but the surprise and intense interest of thinking men who seemed to feel that they had acquired a new mental trea- sure, though they yet only half understood the wonders before them."

The medical knowledge which Mr. Ellis had acquired for former missionary purposes, and his medicine-chest, were also a means of drawing people about him; and, contrary to the general notion of uncivilized life tooth-ache seemed rather prevalent— at least he extracted teeth. With the persecuted Christians the missionary and pastor held many secret discourses, listening to their narratives of evil times during the earlier part of the present Queen's reign, and exchanging religious sympathy in various ways. Much of this, however, is left unnoticed, lest the description should implicate the living. Few men were better qualified for this visit to Madagascar than

Mr. Ellis. His early experience as a South Sea missionary familiarized him with the best way of dealing with people not perhaps civilized, but certainly far from savage ; and a people he holds of .cognate race to the Polynesians and the Malaya. His able history, of Madagascar published just twenty years ago,t had not only fully possessed him with a knowledge of , Spectator, 1838, page 1090. the 00-1NatrY, thellee*$,IVidbtelfterlie CAOTO tibP,kaniPlagVe. but tik spired. him with, an interest j1w1c,qnbs eimilex studies could proa If. I/Qt. a,P4Offialii044!eatifelli&t, Faliaikafs strong! turn,fori the, :pursuitj(esppgially,* bntanyl has given. hine11th13., ItU;eilty'• of . •tninct ittitneeitied, if not greatly ea; iiianettylaroticl,facilovif ponegigtep,running i. little-into the diffuse ; though *Arica yokiarcitherile, motipe fsulh, oranate.toret.than,4tRy APA'Pra3. 4lar.oeeQnftI4,4444* to theoolla NalltitgeSe.44. PfiarifAtffra apissmery gwve, /b444. special subject of attentSop6iaxalleOiPOOP4thi314.:17nere glOattlY: WW1 maiiy of the peepl:thanfany. elcularAjoet icton* bring,l; ahent. Re, might, in theyes4 theolaigheo ealeefte f,lutve senneaollg ,

diplomatio eharaetog, .9fring t‘littlecle,joi*PatO494fland4,*91kho:

tiotiaPPOffed el*Pnig tam. icstviclgilt tlq41,143,nallgtFAIrtms aso Mot:Vita at eteee411 rfigaa'fbeert•liehiatiwkialleo Rfegogla44 ;froi4 veff ea M' regar4smthileo.,0 FOrtioc__,TIQue4tiati, frequently put to him, on. these topies,. and dinner ; was. JOXYOM tch are+Eilia by tito- .4auPen) ■theUgh el4e1Yrailt,n4,§PflItt FaSegn tilftc awl PUt.Ot: hest being PIVOcl. by. 0/Peat c4? ,4 V*, omtfm-ii taiiunent,-the subjeetwat oratorically introduoedworEeench,resi- dent 'andRomish priest being present. --"After'atieending.by a somewhat .steep path to tho. crest .ofotholill on alight theDhouse standsi twontettehed• the front court, Whete the'Queen's band, in scarlet uniform ,(apparently English), was stationeeheieath,the verandah. On ontering,'.1! was reeeiired braminiberef termnts &Ostia in a sort of livery, consisting of blue jackets bordered with red. I Was politely received by the ownerof the teiuse; leratmber of effibere, land■other com- pany, amongst whom weteltLaborde, -rind the Vatholicopriestvithiwhom I d,breakfasted. When idinner wassanetinced,we weresitioneolotitie, speetive places' which were designated by papers,bearing out names plated oa-the table. Mine was on the left hand of the °Weft:tither, and M. La- horde's was Immediatelyoppesite. " Thd 'tom Was liege and lofty; ,eurnishod with lookiiivglasses,, and other artdelee of European er Asititie ifiall'aftlet11144 having a largesidebeard at eAd* eat. -.The table was spleadidlyfortilehed with, poreeleinImsete: filled-with artificial flowers, and silver vases the size °twine coolers-slang the centre: The covereddishes, apooneand forks, were all silver; the dishes -at well as the rases being of native manufacture lifter English patterns, ,and ',smart- ably well executed. On altthese articles, as *ell area the hendle&of the knives, a crown, and a bird, the crest of the Roves, were engraved. "-As soon as all were seated, my friend the ,seentarye who sat ;next me, intimated in English, that 'aft:I was a stranger, and the-queen's guest, I should now propose her majesty's health, and on a sign from one of the at- tendants, the baud in the verandalr played the Malagasy God save the Queen.' "The dinner commeneedwith soup, after-which an almost endless variety of viands were served. There- must have been upwards of thirtydifferent dishes handed round in suocession ; beef in everyform, poultry, game, made dishes in great variety, with pastry, all exceedingly well cooked, especially the rice, and the rolls of bread. There was not much wine on the table, the drinking was very moderate, and there were but few toasts. The utmost propriety characterized the deportment of all present; although there were many of the younger members of the aristocracy at the table, the entertain- ment was more lively, and much less formal, than some at whieh I had been present in the country. After the dessert, tea was served in small coffee cups, perhaps instead of coffee, from the supposed preference of the English for tea. "After the dinner, the chief officer rose, and delivered a speech expres- site of the good feeling and hospitality of the Queen of Madagascar towards the subjects of other governments, strangers from across the sea, visiting her country. This was said in allusion to my presence amongst them; and then, stating that it had been the wish of the Queen and the Malagasy go- vernment to preserve friendship with all foreign nations, he asked why it was that they were so frequently disturbed by reports that the French were coming to take their country. Re said that reports to that effect had been recently brought, and were now in circulation amongst the people; and then appealing to me as recently from Europe, he asked if I know whether these reports were true, and if so, why was it that the Malagasy were to be at- tacked? "Appealed to so directly, I could not decline offering a few words on the subjeet ; and after thanking the Queen for the kind attention and hospital- ity I had experienced, and observing that the cultivation of peaceable and friendly feelings among nations, and the increase of commercial and other intercourse between the people of different countries, was far snore condu- cive to the prosperity of all, than any other course; and that the feelings of good-will towards Madagascar cherished in England had been so fully reciprocated by the consideration and kindness I had received since my arrival, and that I trusted corresponding senti- ments were cherished by the French. I said that the existing friend- ship and union between England and France would, it was most ardently hoped, cause these two great nations to combine together to show respect and friendship towards other nations, and thus promote the prosper- ity of all. That as to the intentions of the French towards Madagascar, I could not possibly know anything; that in some of the newspapers which I had seen in England there had been statements about a hostile expedition to be sent from France against Madagascar; but whether there was any foundation or not for such statements I could not say; but hoped and be- lieved that time would prove them to be mere unfounded rumours."

There was more oratory ; but the subject was finally closed by the French lay pest making a speech which neither committed his country- or himself.

"M. Laborde then rose, and said that what I had stated was true with regard to the rumours of a hostile fleet. They were only statements in the newspapers, and were not authorized; also that if any persons were to land in France or England they would be treated as I had described, if not worse; and that if any English or French came and settled in Madagascar without leave, the Malagasy should cut them to pieces." 'The social condition of Madagascar is very curious, and like Russia in its way; that is the upper classes have an external and -educational civilization, though perhaps rarely penetrating much below the surface, while the people are in their primitive state. Some of the upper classes speak., read, and even write English or French ; they obtain, as we have just seen from foreign news- papers, such news as concerns themselves ; they have bands of music, services of plate, &c., chairs, tables, china-ware and very fine coats,. while some of the ladies wear Parisian costume, and the forms of manners are polite. These improvements are not adopted by all the higher classes; some may want the will, some. perhaps 'the means. ..But;thcemixture. qnative costume with European coats well studded-with goldene (epaulets, lace, and em- broidery, and -vests gay at ti-paiterre, addttel the pictorial effect. Our author was Mucia takeh4yoine of the gay doings at court. In fact, he himself wentin. ga* dress on his presentation, acting under the advice of a courtier friend.

-0' In the course of the forenoon. my friend came to inform me that I sltmtld lie'reenited to'attend about three o'clock, and teinquire how I meant toldetes; told him I had not thought of any other dresis than such as I slutultirear at a dinner, or levening party in England. He did not eeem satisfied,' end expresseila wish to see my wardrobe ; 'and discovering is a chest which I opened a rich Satin gieen and, e plaid dressing-gown with scarlet linfer"..which I had P 4n, n on, bra present to one of the nobles, ,hq, Institut y sugg ikshpuld put. tluyt, QA over ray cOat, and .*91v, one k ths thought ItiMpating ;, , duminrih in eandet, I consented

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ight seen. I at first

to comply'ivith'Ifis ittA ni 9i - he mission Wg6WkilitiWeci+rt,"wis nothinelo what he after-

.; J1.) Dilfi • WO s saw at a ight coupleri ofyinin ineeehd wonlien then'ttaie ham' the court eirele andAtime to the lunette. teTheqladtes ward gorgeoueLyi *tired in ailItquid .withs,profusion ofAvaud ornamtlafsppsurlso,§usid, °thee neekleees, and Who teen all iep,re $pan,ish.dm, ost jackets owAhslashed shaves, imams, slashed, and'shoes'MAna •, and.,..embroidered caps adorned with ostrich feathers. The son of Edi fffi'kWter; fthe young man about twenty-five and the-daughter-of Prince Ramonja, were the first couple, and led the Ide,nee. Dantling) femme:dote/bee mire work with them li‘rarsdx sewoluore than a, Elocie,l, ,smileoind ehould think scarcely a dozen words were exChanged. the dancers, who, while dancing, seemed absofehedlWith tlier;figiteietnd theetep. The 'music was Euro- peat-Wand sti were the ■fltinces. "Soon after these had bowed to-thniQueen and ref:turned -their seats, seven couples of the yeunge *Rippers ptm re -al and noble families cause for- ward, Their ages t f.anse lotwiesn teen and eighteen. The son of Prince Itamboasalama, the .handsomest youth I had seen, was splendidly dreised in a suit of qiniet and geld, ' With a cap 'of the same, and ostrich phinie. The eon of tIle proprietor of-the house in which the Queen had given her-dinner and its eesting.looking. young girl! led off the dance. 'Ile youth was clregaed in jectet, ,angl pantaltous,,of green ,velvet studded with gold, over whieliliung a mantle of purple velvet embroidered with a deep gold border. His partner also wore a dress of purple velvet with gold embroidery. The dress of the remaining couples Was equally rich and splendid: "The Frenchmen seemed to be highly gratified with the gorgeous spec- tale, which continued until nearly fetur o'clock; when the dancing ceased and the court reined. When the noblmlbad nearly all left the 'balcony, the prince rose, and led his mother, who seethed glad of the sup it of his arm, into the palace; -while we, mingling With the crowd of o eers and guests moving towards the gate, bowed and'departed. "-It was a.scene which it was perhaps well to witness once in a lifetime. It appeared. something like the reality a what the gorgeous and imposing pageants of our theatres are reported to represent; destitute, indeed, of the flood of light, and all those rich and gay accompaniments with which ar- tistic skill and taste surround such exhibitions, but encircled by the grander scenery of nature, accompanied by a cloudless sky, and illuminated by a tropic sun."

Amid all this semi-civilization, with troops, trained during the time of Radama by English soldiers, mounting guard and pre- senting arms, the people remain in their primitive state. l'_his can hardly be called barbarous, regard being had to their country and climate. They exercise mechanical arts, though roughly; they build a very excellent kind of house, and they have what is also a sign of activity and industry many markets.

"This was the first village in Ankova, the central province of the island. It was market-day, and a number of men and women had goods, viz. rice and other kinds of grain, roots, vegetables, poultry, raw cotton, pet birds in cages, &c., spread out on the ground, or exposed in baskets, by the side of the road, as we entered the village. I afterwards walked through the mar- ket, asking the price of some of the articles, and purchased some ready- cooked sweet potatoes and manioc, which were exceedingly good. The houses here were more substantially built than those we had passed, but dirty inside. The people were somewhat fairer than those in the lower provinces. There did not seem to be much traffic in the market, though a considerable number of people had come together. "Food already cooked is generally offered for sale in the Malagasy- mar- kets, but the only kinds of cooked food which I saw:were manioc and sweet potatoes, which were apparently in considerable demand. There were neither fish, nor eggs, nor locusts; the season was too early for the latter, which generally pass over the central provinces during the spring of the year, and cause great destruction among the fields and gardens."

The state of the roads or rather paths, are among the greatest obstacles to progress in Madagascar; but there is a politic pur- pose in keeping them impassable for any save foot-passengers, accustomed to the ways. With their present suspicion of French i intentions this state s not likely to be improved.

"The road here was frightful—the soil stiff clay, with deep holes of mud and water. Our way was sometimes covered with water, but more fre- quentlyup and down steep slippery ravines, requiring detours on account of the gigantic trees which had fallen across the track. The clayey sides and rocky portions of the ravines were sometimes so steep that my position was almost upright, and it frequently required ten or twelve men to get the palanquin up and down. I was not well enough to walk, but I frequently requested the bearers to halt and rest, which they did once or twice, when I got out, and they sat dovrn in a comparatively level spot, for about ten minutes. I certainly felt, while the men were toiling up the rugged ascent, that there was some ground for the late Batistes's remark, that he had two generals, viz., General Haze, forest, and General Tazo, fever, in whose hands he would leave any invading army—for an army could make but slow way through such a country as this. I could also readily imagine why, in 1816, some of Captain Le Sage's men should have thrown them- selves on the ground, declaring they would die rather than attempt to pro- ceed farther.'

Extracts could be largely multiplied, regarding the features of the country, the traits of the people, particulars of their arts, pictures of their rare or gorgeous vegetation, and notices of some singular animals. Enough, however, has been given to serve as a specimen and we will conclude with proof that the 15,000 dollars were not like some official payments altogether thrown away. "In walking through the village [of Tamatave] I was struck with the

aifiervvelddietheeyienhise of Ilartiinele ifter tan vita' MI 1858' hint Prot/wed. The /make poreatton appeared tte lesistelteeti,gtaatly Increased; a number

of liaises 'kw- foreign #81440/34.,"hd blienit.vORN. QtjleA's were. Ae **Awe ..9f ereetion among, ttiem, ann. stet.* tele: dni,g-pleee,ran Itetel or boarding-house, the first eyer CrM.,ted in hIadagaicar. ,',Coixiiaerable quan- tities Of rice appeared to.'be fEkolliCte1/41 for exportatibn.:''Cii*Oett of horned cattle were said to be easily obtained; end upwards of '4000 bead of oatitle hid,ainee the opening of the .trade, been annually exported to Mauritius

The trade of the port was not at that time considered to be.e.ctive and-doerishiug. There had been but few native dealers from the capital, and.rumours were afloat .amprtg the people of am armed. expeditiou, from Franco and England combined, against Madagascar, which bad produced an effect Unfavourable to the commerce of the island."

Besides the three visits to-Madagasoar there is an account of the author's sojourn at the Mauritius full of pleasant descriptions of the scenery, the varipui.peoples to be seen there, and the genial manners and hospitality of the inhabitants. The most interest- ing subject—the present state of the ,phinters, their supply of la- bour, facilities of cultivation and other politts connected with the staple industry of the island—is but slightly handled. On his return to England_ -Mr. Ellis stopped' at the Cape to make a sort of Episcopal tour of inspection over the missions in connection with his society. It is brief and net without interest, but rather encumbers the main. subject.