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CHAPTER XIII. 
PROGRESS IN THE PAST-PROSPECTS FOR THE 
FUTURE. 
The history of Madagascar, more especially dur¬ 
ing the past century, is essentially a history of 
progress. Ever since the remote period when 
the adventurous and valiant Venetian landed 
upon its shores, and described its wonders to his 
astonished and incredulous countrymen, the great 
African island has advanced, it may be slowly, 
but yet surely, in its national life. From an 
almost contemptible position of obscurity and in¬ 
significance, this isolated community has emerged, 
and, by its own strong efforts in the path of social 
and intellectual improvement, has secured for it¬ 
self at length a place amongst the lesser but still 
important nationalities of the east. Unlike many 
other peoples who have fallen and disappeared 
before an aggressive civilisation, the Malagasy 
have welcomed the new state of things, and 
thriven and grown strong under the new condi- 
