54 
MADAGASCAR. 
a very brief space of time. The present Govern¬ 
ment has dealt with the matter, however, by 
putting into force a very stringent code of laws 
dealing with the whole question. This code 
makes it penal to sell, or even possess, spirits; 
but the evasion of the law is almost universal, in 
consequence of the difficulty of the native Govern¬ 
ment in dealing effectually with the servants and 
employes of the European and other settlers at 
the capital. 
It is interesting to find that the English, 
centuries ago even, took great interest in Mada¬ 
gascar, and, in fact, talked of settling a colony 
there as early as the time of Charles II. Some 
portions of the island are still wofully degraded, 
and the inhabitants of these remote districts are 
still sunk in barbarism and ignorance; but it is 
right to say always in this connection, that wher¬ 
ever the central authority penetrates, then at 
once a great improvement takes place both in 
the physical and moral condition of the people. 
The Antimora and the Tanala inhabiting the 
country south of the Betsimisaraka and Imerina, 
the central province, are still far behind the rest 
of the population. Hova traders have, however, 
circulated amongst these people; and when the 
Government is free again to direct its undivided 
attention to domestic affairs, efforts are to be 
made to reach the whole length and breadth of 
