275 
have borne children to white men, when these parents are 
dead, will treat their unhappy offspring with great unkind- 
ness, and prefer those of their children who are of Malagassy 
origin, . 
Such are the numerous people who now occupy the great 
territory of Emerina. We believe we have never departed 
from truth in our sketches; and if we have been unspar- 
ing in our remarks on vice, we shelter ourselves under the 
maxim of La Bruyère, that * while men practise vice, we 
should not be weary of reproaching them with it.” _ 
The time, however, is not far distant, when we may hope that 
the exertions of Britons will be crowned with success. The 
civilization of a nation is a work of time, and the faint twi- 
light must precede the dawn, ere the morning of improvement 
shall burst into the radiance of the perfect day. 
APPENDIX. 
I sHALL conclude our account of this most interesting Island 
with an Appendix, already promised, respecting the ordeal of 
the Tanghen, accompanied by a figure, and a_ botanical 
description (by Professor Bojer) of the plant. I refer my 
readers to the Botanical Magazine, tab. 2968. for all that was 
known respecting its history down to the period of its publi- 
cation. The same kind and enlightened friend, to whom I 
was indebted for that information, has been good enough to 
furnish me with what follows, in letters from two missionaries, 
the first written in 1830, the second in 1831. 
Letter from the iei d. F. FREEMAN to CHARLES TELFAIR, 
Eso., on the subject of the Tanghen, Tanghin, or Tanghen 
Poison. . : die aiia TIL 
KU e | Peni Mavnarus, lst July, 1890. 
. Mx pear Sm, ud p dau 
You are perfectly aware that the Tanghena has long 
been employed in Madagascar as a test in the native ordeal, 
EE 
