176 
MADAGASCAR. 
tered from the Indian Ocean. The scenery around 
it is extremely beautiful, the climate is healthy, 
and the soil black, rich, and fertile, and at the 
same time well watered. The whole of the north¬ 
east will ultimately, and probably at no very dis¬ 
tant period, become one of the most important 
districts of Madagascar. The abundant materials 
which it possesses for a large and lucrative trade 
in its cattle, timber, and mineral deposits, are 
sure to be developed by the enterprise of the 
present Government; and the vast resources of 
this region will be poured out upon the world, in 
return for useful imports and articles of domestic 
comfort, which are everywhere so much needed, 
and for which there will be an increasing de¬ 
mand as the people become more enlightened, 
and as the country advances in civilisation, and 
in the knowledge of its own splendid endowments 
of power and wealth. There is a great lack in 
the native mind of that peculiar energy which is 
the chief element in the success of a commercial 
nation, but this defect is almost altogether con¬ 
fined to the subordinate tribes. The Hovas, on 
the other hand, show marvellous signs of the 
mercantile instinct, which, if rightly directed and 
encouraged, will be the means and instrument of 
their eventual and not remote elevation to a 
position of political power and dignity on the 
East African seaboard, that will be as unrivalled 
