36 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. chap. ii. 



the island than to the development of its resources for external 

 commerce ; for although the capture of the herds belonging 

 to those tribes who may be conquered or dispersed may in- 

 crease the number of disposable cattle possessed by the Hovas, 

 it can only be a temporary increase, to be afterwards followed 

 by greater deficiency. 



But besides those who were eager for the arrival of the 

 money and the articles of foreign manufacture, which the 

 opening of intercourse with other countries would bring to 

 Madagascar, there were others deeply interested in higher and 

 more important objects, eager after more valuable supplies, food 

 for the mind and the heart ; and though we could not satisfy 

 their wants, our frequent intercourse with them was intensely 

 interesting, and sometimes deeply affecting. Much im- 

 portant information was received from them; and our best 

 advice and kindest Christian sympathy appeared to be both 

 welcome and cheering. On one occasion, when one of the 

 friendly natives whom we had expected to see entered the 

 place where we were sitting, after looking earnestly at each of 

 us for a few moments and almost mechanically giving us his 

 hand, there came over his whole countenance such an ex- 

 pression as I had never before witnessed in any human being. 

 It was not ectasy, it was not terror, and yet an apparent 

 blending of both, marked by an intensity of feeling but rarely 

 seen. During the whole interview, which was long, there was 

 a strange uneasiness mingled with evident satisfaction, which 

 it would be difficult to describe. It would be unsuitable to 

 make any mention of his name, or rank, or of the present 

 circumstances of some, or the tragical end, on account of their 

 faith, of others, most closely connected with him. 



Many others were often deeply affected, sometimes even to 

 tears, when they found us unable to supply what they had so 

 long and so earnestly desired. I met one day, in the house 

 of an hospitable and friendly trader, a native chief, who, after 



