350 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
army. But the king afterwards becoming jealous of their 
influence and power, placed them in garrisons in the 
unhealthy parts of the island, where most of them fell 
victims to disease, and others being cut off* after the de¬ 
cease of Radama, the title of maroserana is now extinct, or 
merged in that of military officers who have obtained dis¬ 
tinguished honour. 
The court of the queen is now composed of the andriam- 
baventy, or judges, and the principal officers of the army, 
called manamboninahitra, or possessors of honour. 
During the reign of Radama, the king acted in the 
capacity of commander-in-chief as well as that of sovereign. 
No official council of ministers was held under him farther 
than might serve to maintain the appearance of a public 
consultation. But he was accustomed occasionally to ask 
the opinion of his officers separately without explaining to 
them what he had in view'; and after having heard them 
all, he would decide upon the measures to be adopted. 
His army consisted of four divisions, according to the four 
districts of Imerina; and the commander-in-chief, next to 
the king, resided at the capital, for the purpose of executing 
the orders of his majesty. 
Since the death of Radama, there has been, by the ap¬ 
pointment of the queen, a commander-in-chief of all the 
army; and he, aided by the military staff, has all the 
responsibility of conducting the wars, of suppressing rebel¬ 
lion and revolt, of appointing garrisons and governors 
around the coast, and of protecting the country. This 
commander, therefore, and his military officers, form an 
important part of the queen’s council; while the judges, 
in their civil capacity, representing the citizens, or bour¬ 
geois, constitute the remaining part. It is, however, not 
unfrequently, that the commander-in-chief, with the officers 
