HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
345 
The following result was the consequence of the directions 
of the oracle. A speech was first delivered to the people, 
offering great honours and rewards to the family of any 
individual who would freely offer himself to be sacrificed, 
in order to the king’s recovery. The people shuddered 
at the idea, and ran away in different directions. One 
man, however, presented himself for the purpose, and his 
offer was accepted. The sacrificer girded up his loins, 
sharpened his knife, and bound the victim. After which, 
he was laid down with his head towards the east, upon a 
mat spread for the purpose, according to the custom with 
animals on such occasions, when the priest appeared, to pro¬ 
ceed with all solemnity in slaughtering the victim by cutting 
his throat. A quantity of red liquid, however, which had 
been prepared from a native dye, was spilled in the cere¬ 
mony; and, to the amazement of those who looked on, 
blood seemed to be flowing all around. The man, as 
might be supposed, was unhurt; but the king rewarded him 
and his descendants with the perpetual privilege of exemp¬ 
tion from capital punishment for any violation of the laws. 
The descendants of the man to this day form a particular 
class, called Tay maty manota, which may be translated, 
“Not dead, though transgressing.” Instances frequently 
occur, of individuals of this class appropriating bullocks, 
rice, and other things belonging to the sovereign, as if 
they were their own, and escaping merely with a repri¬ 
mand, while a common person would have to suffer death, 
or be reduced to slavery. 
The office of sovereign in Madagascar, though main¬ 
tained with considerable pomp and barbaric splendour, 
has no common measure of toils, anxieties, and difficulties. 
The monarch may consult with whom he pleases; and he 
is in the habit of assembling his people under the pretext 
