HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
315 
side, he did not regard a man for the beauty of his counte¬ 
nance, but for the qualities of his heart. Captain Moorsom 
then wrote the king’s name in the Bible; and it is remark¬ 
able, that the same book, after being faithfully preserved 
during the king’s lifetime, was buried with him amongst 
other treasures in his splendid tomb. 
In many subsequent conversations, Captain Moorsom 
proved himself the faithful friend of Radama, by pointing 
out the evils arising out of many of those national customs 
which the king had not yet felt himself able entirely to 
abolish, particularly that of trial by poison; nor was it to 
an indifferent or inattentive ear that these arguments were 
addressed. “ Radama,” says Captain Moorsom, “ is an 
extraordinary man. His intellect is as much expanded 
beyond that of his countrymen, as that of the nineteenth 
century is in advance of the sixteenth. But his penetra¬ 
tion and straightforward good-sense would make him re¬ 
markable under any circumstances. With all the impatience 
of a despotic monarch, exacting the most prompt and im¬ 
plicit obedience to his will, jealous of his authority, and 
instant to punish, he is yet sagacious, and cautious in alter¬ 
ing established customs. His power is founded upon 
popular opinion: his game is to play the people against the 
chiefs, and he understands it well; for these fear, and those 
love him.” 
On leaving Foule Point, Radama took advantage of the 
kind offer of Captain Moorsom to convey him round the 
Bay of Antongil. He took with him about two hundred 
soldiers, while the main body of the troops proceeded by 
land; and while on board, his mind seemed to be much 
impressed with the rapidity with which he was conveyed, 
and the consequent power that was imparted. As the 
vessel sailed out of port, the female singers on land had 
