CHAP. I. OBJECTS OF THE AUTHOR'S VISITS, 7 



complaining spirit, the patient suffering, and tlie heroic con- 

 stancy of the Christians, were drawn, notwithstanding the 

 prospect of almost inevitable suffering, or death, to seek 

 admission to their fellowship. 



Although since the year 1845 there had been but little 

 communication with Madagascar, yet, whenever opportunity 

 offered, intercourse had been maintained between the natives 

 in the island and their fellow sufferers in exile at Mauritius. 

 In 1852 accounts were received from parties residing in 

 ISIadagascar, that political and other favourable changes were 

 in progress. 



The London Missionary Society, by whom these accounts 

 were received, justly deeming them too important to be dis- 

 regarded, judged it most expedient, in the first instance, to 

 seek further information by specific inquiries on the spot. 

 This ultimately led to the visits since paid to that country, as 

 well as to South Africa, some of the chief incidents of which 

 are narrated in the following pages. 



Early in the year 1853, I was invited, together ^^dth ]\Ir. 

 Cameron, then residing at the Cape of Grood Hope, to proceed 

 to Madagascar, on a visit of friendship, in order to ascer- 

 tain, as far as practicable, the actual state of the people, and 

 the views of the government. 



The people of Madagascar were well known to Mr. Cameron, 

 and they had long been subjects of great interest to myself, 

 not only on account of their own peculiar circumstances, but 

 from their resemblance in many respects to the South Sea 

 Islanders, amongst whom, in my early years, I had spent 

 an eventful portion of my life. I was consequently not 

 unwilling to devote my best energies to a work which 

 to many earnest minds appeared fraught with hopeful 

 promise. 



On the 14th of April, 1853, I embarked at Southampton, 



B 4 



