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REPLY TO THE ANSWER.

"We, therefore, most humbly and earnestly entreat of your Majesty not to suppress our teaching the word of God, but that we may still have the means of teaching it together with the useful arts and sciences.

"And with regard to your word, saying that we are not allowed to purchase land; we have heard the message, and submit to it; and we will not purchase land-for you, Madam, are the Sovereign of the Country.

"May you attain to old age; and we pray to God to bless you. May you live long, and may your kingdom prosper, say we Europeans.

In reply to the letter from the missionaries the queen rejoined as follows:

"Tananarino, 2d March, 1835.

"To Messrs. Johns, Freeman, Chick, Cameron, Kitching, Baker: "HEALTH to you. I have heard the message in your letter, and I say to you, 'Did I not expressly tell you, that with regard to the customs of your ancestors, they are not changed, that is, among yourselves, not even while you are here in my country?

666

And while you are here in my country, if the customs of your ancestors were changed, should you not be grieved?

"And I tell you what I have already told you, that my people are not to do these things, for that which was done by my ancestors cannot be changed.'

"Such is the message of the sovereign, which she has directed to be sent as an answer to the message in your letter.

"Say RAINIMAHARO, 11th honour, Officers of the Palace."

RAINISEHENO,

The language of this letter is sufficiently evasive, for the missionaries had not hinted at any change being made in their religious customs, nor did they attempt to force any changes on the people. But it was manifestly useless to press any explanations on the attention of the government, as their decision was now deliberately taken, and authoritatively announced.

As yet no restriction was placed on the distribution of religious books, and the hope was entertained that at least those which had been already distributed would be allowed to remain in the possession of those who had received them, and for the same reason they were still given to those who applied for them during the two days' interval between the letter of the queen and the kabary to the people; and as all the scholars had came up to town to hear the kabary, there were most extensive applications for books and tracts. that time most of the Christians withdrew, and hardly ventured to visit the missionaries, as it was found that Rajery, one of the most inveterate enemies among the judges, had sent some of his Dekana or aides-de-camp to watch near their houses, so as to see what natives came to them. It is probable that many were at this time employed as spies, and it seems that the Christians, being aware of it, were on their guard.

From

It was now a time of great excitement among all parties, friends and foes, at the capital, and it was felt that the lapse of a few days would involve a most important crisis in the history of the mission, and the moral state of Madagascar. The friends of the idolatrous party were on the alert, the entire civil power of the government was being arrayed in its defence, and the little flock of Christians were on the eve of becoming "like lambs in the midst of wolves." The members of the mission knew that the cause of Christ must ultimately triumph, but rejoiced even in this with trembling, knowing how fearful might be the struggle ere victory for truth

was won.

Detailed account of the proceedings directly connected with the suppression of Christianity in Madagascar.

HAVING in the last chapter explained some of the causes and circumstances which led to the adoption of a series of vigorous measures for the suppression of Christianity in the island, it may be useful and instructive to notice in this chapter the measures themselves, as illustrative of the spirit and character of the government, and of the trials to which the native Christians were exposed.

On Sunday, the 15th of February, all the "Heads of hundreds" were ordered to assemble in the spacious parade ground at Tananarivo.* The judges met them there, and conveyed the queen's command, that they should forthwith summon all that were able to walk, men, women, children, and slaves, to attend a "kabary," to be held that day fortnight, the 1st of March. None were to re

main at home in Imerina, excepting one individual in each house, to take charge of the property. The soldiers were ordered to assemble on the 24th of February, invalids as well as those in health. On their arrival, the troops of each district had a spot assigned them for encampment; their names were called over, and their numbers strictly examined. On the 26th and 27th,

* It is called Imahamasina, and is situated on the western side of the hill, and is so extensive, that from 100,000 to 200,000 persons might be conveniently assembled there.

the bourgeois from the distant villages began to assemble, and a large party of Vahiny, or strangers from the western coast of the country, who had come to take the oath of allegiance to the queen, and be received under her protection. On Saturday, orders were issued that all the different encampments of the troops should approach nearer to the spot where the great kabary was to be held, and that the strangers should hold themselves in readiness to attend the kabary on the following day. Strict orders were also issued that all the people should assemble at Imahamasina, on the parade ground, early in the morning; that all the soldiers not having military clothing should assemble there at day-break, to form a line on each side of the road along which the strangers were to enter the ground. These lines extended nearly a mile. The soldiers who had military clothing were arranged on the parade. The judges proceeded in the morning to inquire of the strangers if they were prepared to take the oath of allegiance and that business being terminated, the judges entered the parade, where they were met by the officers of the palace accompanied by a regiment of troops and the queen's band. The strangers arrived on the spot at the same time. The cannons were now kept firing along the brow of the hill that overlooks the parade, and the musketry of the lines of troops along which the strangers passed kept up an incessant fire at the same moment; all intended to awaken alarm in the minds of the multitude, and to show the stern determination of the queen to carry her point by all the power she could command.

The vast concourse of troops and people being now

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MUSKETS AND POWDER.

assembled and arranged, the officers who had commanded an expedition to the west, came forward, and, with the usual formalities, gave an account of their proceedings and success.

The strangers who had accompanied them to the capital declared their fidelity, and presented the usual tokens of subjection. Again the drums beat, the music played, the cannon and musketry fired, the people shouted, a semi-barbarous dance was performed by a certain class of the troops, and graver affairs then commenced.

The principal judge addressed the people in the name of the queen, to the effect that the kingdom of Ranavalona was a kingdom continually advancing; that in the time of Andrianimpoina and of Radama, they had purchased muskets at a very high price, paying for them as much as thirty Spanish dollars each; that gunpowder also had been extremely dear, but now, says the queen, these articles are made in my country, and you shall see to what perfection they are brought. Several of the newly manufactured muskets were then fired off, (happily, without bursting,) produced a tremendous noise, and greatly delighted the people who cared at all about the matter.

One of the principal native gunsmiths, and one of the superintendents of the powder-mill, then (made an oration in praise of their own ability, and assured the queen, through her officers, that they would faithfully retain and improve the knowledge of these arts, which they had received from the Europeans.

The principal judge again commanded the attention of the assembly to the message they were now to hear, and for which they had been summoned, and all, whether