342 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
merely as a monarch agreeably to the definitions of Mon¬ 
tesquieu. The sovereign of Madagascar claims nominally a 
right to do whatever he pleases with the life and property 
of his subjects, and so far he is a despot. But customs 
have in some instances the force of law—the will of the 
people is respected ; and so far despotism is modified, and 
the despot becomes a monarch. This modified kind of 
supreme authority is applicable, on a limited scale, to 
the chieftainship of an independent province, and on a 
broad scale to the sovereignty of the island. For some 
years past, however, the increasing power of the military 
officers, and the extent to which the troops have been 
employed by the sovereign, have rendered the government 
almost a pure military despotism. 
Succession appears to he hereditary in Madagascar, 
but not necessarily so; and for the simple but sufficient 
reason assigned by the people, that cases may occur in 
which the eldest son may not possess talents for go¬ 
verning. The sovereign nominates his successor, he being 
supposed both to have the right of such nomination, 
and to be best qualified, by his knowledge of his kingdom 
and his family, to decide upon the exigencies of the former 
and the capacities of the latter. His nomination has also 
all the importance derived from the popular idea that the 
king can do no wrong, and that, according to his own 
assertion, as well as the belief of his people, the wisdom 
of his ancestors, called roambinifolo manjaka, “twelve kings,” 
is united in him. 
The sovereign accordingly appoints his immediate suc¬ 
cessor, and frequently extends his appointment to three 
or four successors, or fixes the line for future generations. 
Should he fail of making the appointment, or should un¬ 
foreseen circumstances prevent the appointments taking 
