THE PAST AND THE FUTURE. 
271 
true friend of the people to whom he was ac¬ 
credited, took up his residence at the capital as 
British consul in 1820 . The influence of this 
worthy man was very great, but to the regret of 
the whole nation, and especially of his friend 
Radama, he succumbed to the native fever, and 
died in 1826 . 
But many industries had meanwhile been es¬ 
tablished in Im^rina ; and Government factories 
for making gunpowder, and numerous printing- 
presses, a dispensary, and schools, were soon in 
good working order. By the aid of the first, the 
Government was enabled to hold in safe subjec¬ 
tion the less advanced tribes of the island; and 
by the help of the latter, knowledge was gradu¬ 
ally spread abroad, the ways and thoughts of 
other countries were introduced, and the study 
of history, that most powerful of all instructors, 
began to create a desire amongst the subjects of 
the Hova sovereigns for a better state of things 
amongst themselves, and an honourable ambition 
began to possess them to attain a name amongst 
the kingdoms of the world. 
The first material signs of progress began 
naturally to appear in their domestic arrange¬ 
ments, the style and structure of their houses, 
and the decency and comfort of their personal 
attire and habits. Cleanliness and order began 
to be regarded as virtues, and although there is 
