36 
MADAGASCAR. 
been manumitted, polygamy discountenanced by 
royal decree, and tbe spear and shield are laid 
aside for the implements of the husbandman and 
the artificer. Sunday is respected as a day set 
apart for rest and religious exercises; a system 
of compulsory education has been adopted by the 
Government; the life of every man, even of the 
poorest slave,is held sacred; and no person can now 
be put to death without a fair and open trial in 
the presence of the representatives of the Queen. 
Much remains to be done before the whole Mala¬ 
gasy people, especially in the remote districts, can 
be said to enjoy the full benefit of these important 
and vital reforms. But we may venture to say 
that probably in no state in modern times has 
more real improvement been effected than in 
Madagascar, already known as the “ Great Britain 
of Africa”; and when we consider the short period 
in which this has been accomplished, the small 
resources and the limited opportunities of these 
people, we cannot but feel admiration for their 
energy and patient perseverance in the path of 
self-improvement. It has seldom been given to 
men in any age to witness the pleasing spectacle 
of a nation such as this—small, obscure, and 
insular—working out its own regeneration and 
civilisation, and securing for itself a place 
amongst the older and long-established Powers, 
and making considerable advances in its intel- 
