344 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
would necessarily be generated, and rebellion ultimately 
follow. 
It is possible that the long-conflicting claims of hos¬ 
tile chieftains have afforded so many opportunities for 
the exhibition of loyalty or disaffection on the part of their 
respective adherents, that a national lesson has been taught, 
and a national feeling inspired, in which rulers and subjects 
have equally participated. The sovereign who would hold 
his kingdom securely, must therefore reign in the affections 
of his people by the steady administration of justice, and 
the mild but firm execution of laws which approve them- 
selves to the judgment of the nation as salutary and 
equitable. 
Madagascar is therefore not such a land of degraded 
slaves, as to render a tyrant inviolably safe., But a 
paternal monarch is hailed and adored by the people, who 
were accustomed to call Radama, Andriamanitra, (god.) 
The Malagasy are not impatient of control. They are 
sufficiently aware of the value of a regular government, 
as securing their own safety, to render a willing submission 
to its restraints. To power blended with beneficence—- 
to authority tempered with mildness—and right enforced 
by persuasion and reason,—there are perhaps few people, 
of the same grade in civilization, who could be found more 
disposed to concede respect, to render submission, or to 
perform service, than the Malagasy. 
As a proof of the veneration with which their sovereign 
is regarded by the Malagasy, the following circumstance, 
related by Mr. Cameron, may not be thought unworthy of 
insertion. 
Towards the close of the reign of Andriamasinava- 
lona, when he became sickly and feeble, the sikidy was 
consulted, with a view to the restoration of bis health. 
