270 
MADAGASCAR, 
of the world, that of these times in which we 
live, to show a grander ideal, and to realise the 
elementary but essential truth that to be real, 
and worthy of its mission, and to secure for itself 
a stability which shall compare favourably in 
the future with these ephemeral systems of the 
ancient world, it must be humanitarian, and 
have for its foundation-stone a supreme love for 
and faith in the capacity for improvement of all 
the multitudinous varieties of the human family. 
The first outcome of the pathetic appeal of 
Radama I. to Great Britain for assistance and 
advice in reorganising his kingdom, and limiting 
the miseries, and if possible putting an end alto¬ 
gether to the hideous traffic in slaves which then 
was at its height, was the despatch of a formal 
mission to Antananarivo by the governor of 
Mauritius, for the purpose of negotiating a treaty 
of friendship and commerce between the Hovas 
and the English authorities. The success of this 
mission was complete, and the good understand¬ 
ing which was then inaugurated between the 
two countries has never been permanently dis¬ 
turbed. Skilled artisans were sent out from 
England by some wealthy friends of the country, 
who had been led to take an interest in the 
island by the favourable reports which had been 
sent home by the members of the special mission ; 
and Mr Hastie, a wise and amiable man, and a 
