HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
405 
siderable form and order, the establishment of a printing-press 
at the capital, and the diffusion of numerous branches of art 
and science from enlightened countries, are events which give 
a marked character to that period, and to the history of the 
sovereign under whose auspices they occurred. Had the 
king been better instructed in the principles of good 
government, had he sought the stability of his throne in 
the prosperity of his subjects; had he endeavoured to 
increase and protect their property, and abolished the 
system of oppressive exaction which renders every kind of 
service to the government a species of unrequited slavery, 
instead of increasing their burdens to augment his own 
wealth, or support his multiplied armies, the foundation of 
his greatness would have rested on a basis far more solid 
than the tinsel glitter of military fame or personal aggran¬ 
disement, which appeared to be the chief objects of his 
life. 
With the death of the king, the whole aspect of mis¬ 
sionary affairs was changed at the capital of Madagascar; 
yet, while a deep interest, and anxiety perhaps beyond the 
power of words to describe, affected the minds of those who 
had engaged in the work of diffusing the blessings of 
Christianity amongst the people, such was the delicacy, and 
even danger, of their situation at this period, that they 
scarcely ventured to transmit to their friends any circum¬ 
stantial account of their real situation. The peculiar trials 
and painful apprehensions with which it was attended, 
rendered such accounts, if not impracticable, yet highly 
inexpedient. Thus it occurs, that of the period when the 
deepest feeling has prevailed, the slightest record has been 
preserved. 
It is stated by Mr. Freeman, that the great public kabary, 
already described, at which Ranavalona was proclaimed 
