io RICHARD BOOTHBY. 



ceding eulogy of the people], to be united with us into the 

 fellowship of the sons of God by our union in Christ Jesus." 

 Who this Hon. John Bond, " Governour and Captaine-Generall 

 of Madagascar," was, I have been unable to discover, or to 

 find what claim he had to such large powers in the great 

 island. 



In the same decade of the seventeenth century other 

 books on Madagascar were also published, the next in date 

 being one with an extremely long title, which is also perhaps 

 worth quoting nearly in full, not only for its quaint language 

 but as affording additional evidence of the sanguine expecta- 

 tions formed respecting the island. It runs thus : — 



A Breife 



Discovery or Description 



Of the most Famous Island of 



MADAGASCAR or ST. LAWRENCE 



in Asia neere unto East India. 



With relation of the Healthfulness, Pleasure, Fertility, and Wealth of 

 that Country, comparable if not transcending all the Easterne parts of the 

 World, a very Earthly Paradise ; a most fitting and desirable place to 

 settle an EDglish Colony and Plantation there, rather than in any other 

 parte of the knowne World. 



Also the condition of the Natives, there inhabiting, their Affability, 

 Habit, Weapons, and Manner of living, the plenty and cheapnesse of Food 

 Flesh, Fish, and Fowle, Oringes and Lemonds, Amber-Greece, Gold, 

 Tortle-Shels, and Drugs, and many other Commodities fit for trade and 

 commerce, to be had and gotten there at cheaper Rates than in India or 

 elsewhere. 



Also trading from Port to Port all India and Asia over, and the <reat 

 profit gained thereby ; 



The chiefest place in the World to inricli men by Trade, to and from 

 India, Persia, Moco, Achine, China, and other rich Easterne Kino-doms. 

 It being the fittest place for a Magazine or Store-house of Trade between 

 Europe and Asia, farre exceeding all other Plantations in America or 

 elsewhere. 



Also the excellent meanes and accommodation to fit the planters there 

 with all things needfull and superfluous for back and belly (out of India 

 neere adjacent, at one fourth part of the price, and cheaper then it will 

 cost in England ; yea, Fat Bullocks, Sheep, Goats, Swine, Poultry, Rice, 

 (and Wheat and Barley reasonable, &c.) exceeding cheape, for the value 

 of 12 pence or one shilling English will purchase or buy of the Natives 



