GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND. 35 
ters, the Malagasy language is now universally 
read and written in European characters by all 
classes of the people, who have at this time a 
considerable literature and some newspapers, 
printed by the natives themselves at the well- 
appointed Government and mission presses at 
Antananarivo. 
The real history of the country may, in fact, 
be said to have commenced with Radama; and 
since his time it has continued to progress and to 
develop its resources and power—slowly, it is true, 
but always in the right direction. Nations are 
not made in a day, or even in a century. If only 
there is growth, however gradual, we must not be 
too anxious about the measure or the depth. That 
a great and searching change has come over the 
whole heart and mind of this people, is clear to 
those who know their history or have passed 
through their borders. During the past eighty 
years, old systems of idolatry and superstition 
have disappeared completely and for ever, evil 
and degrading customs have been abolished, 
just and humane laws have been enacted, horrible 
and barbarous state punishments have been dis¬ 
continued, old habits which defiled and debased 
the people have been given up or have died out, 
the laws relating to slavery have been wisely and 
considerably modified, enslaving prisoners taken 
in war is now unlawful, all African slaves have 
