HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
403 
how to conquer it, believing that conquering was a higher 
glory; for French slave-dealers had spoken so much of the 
glory of Napoleon as a warrior and a conqueror, that it 
became his highest ambition to imitate his example. Being 
exceedingly jealous and suspicious, he was afraid to make 
roads from the interior of his country to the sea-coast, to 
facilitate commerce; and even dreaded to have too many 
foreign artists and tradesmen in Imerina, lest they should 
act as spies, to prepare the way for some foreign power 
to enter, and rob him of his kingdom at some future 
time.” 
In addition to these remarks, Mr. Freeman has justly 
observed, that though the character of Radama was, in 
some measure, formed by circumstances, yet whatever 
had been his actual condition or career in life, he would still 
have been a man of keen perception, shrewd judgment, and 
deliberate resolution ; he would still have possessed quick 
feelings, natural ardour, and vigorous promptitude in action. 
His superiority to many of the puerile superstitions of his 
country, his firmness in adhering to plans calculated to 
elevate the physical and moral condition of his own people, 
and his faithfulness in maintaining his treaties, were pro¬ 
minent traits in his character, of which frequent demon¬ 
strations are afforded in the history of his eventful life. His 
fondness for show, parade, and pleasure, unfortunately 
increased with his knowledge of European manners; and 
this, as has already been stated, induced habits of indul¬ 
gence so prejudicial to his health and happiness, that it 
seemed as if nothing less than infatuation prompted him to 
persevere, when he must have known that the course he 
was pursuing would prove fatal. In other respects, and 
under other circumstances, Radama was not deficient in 
self-possession and decision. 
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