HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
343 
effect, the nomination to the succession rests with the 
nobles, and in this case the decision would most probably 
rest with the strongest. Unless positive disqualification 
exist, the eldest son is usually chosen. The rule, however, 
is not invariable. Andriamasinavalona, Radama’s grand¬ 
father, divided his kingdom equally between his four sons 
and a nephew. Radama’s father put to death his eldest 
son for ambitiously aspiring to his father’s government 
while he was still living; and he himself had been chosen 
to the government in preference to the lineal descendants 
of his predecessors. It is said that the line of succession 
by Radama was limited by his father to the issue of a 
certain marriage, appointed for him by parental authority. 
By this nominal marriage, he, however, had no issue, and 
the crown was placed on the head of the nominal widow. 
So devotedly attached are the people to the religious 
observance of such appointments, that a struggle for 
ascendancy, without its support, could be maintained only 
by force of arms. Females are not excluded by law from 
holding the reins of government, though it is not exactly 
in harmony with the feelings of the Malagasy to admit of 
female domination. 
The power of the monarch is nominally absolute, and to 
a very considerable extent really so. Fie is lord of the 
soil, owner of all property, and master of his subjects. 
Their time and services are at his command: to refuse 
either, would be resented not merely with displeasure, but 
with the loss of life and the confiscation of property. 
But the genius of the Malagasy, and long-established 
usage, seem to require at least the show of justice in the 
proceedings of their sovereign. Accustomed to servility, 
subjects might submit for a time to the enaction of mea¬ 
sures however arbitrary and capricious, but disaffection 
