VISIT TO THE COURT OF THE HOVAS. 139 
manent check to the present progressive spirit of 
the Government, however, is not at all likely, or 
even possible. The material advantages that 
have resulted from the efforts of the prime minister 
to bring his countrymen into friendship and com¬ 
munion with foreign Powers are too substantial to 
cause any fear on this point; but a crisis might 
be brought about and a panic result, during 
which useful institutions might suffer, and much 
good work that is now bearing fruit might for 
the time be disorganised or overthrown. The 
prime minister is, however, remarkably reticent 
and self-restrained, and quite realises that his 
mission is not to accomplish everything that will 
be requisite for the entire regeneration of his 
country. His self-abnegation in this respect is 
as noble as it is rare in men of his type and sur¬ 
roundings. He is ready and willing to prepare 
the way for other workers, and more complete 
measures of reform. He will not lay a burden 
upon the shoulders of his people which they, in 
their present condition of semi-civilisation and 
imperfect education, are not able to bear. Some 
who have been deeply interested in the prosperity 
of the country, and who have in a thousand ways 
shown that they have had the true interests of 
the Malagasy at heart, have blamed him for at 
times pursuing what to them even appeared a 
vacillating and nervous line of policy, and have 
