HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
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with moist thongs to a post, then rubbing his body with 
tallow or grease, placing fagots around him, and burning 
him to ashes. When more than one are to be burnt, irons 
are fixed upon their hands and feet, and they are laid side 
by side upon elevated ground, in order that the breeze may 
facilitate the burning of the fagots by which they are 
surrounded. 
Flogging to death, though rarely practised, is a punish¬ 
ment not unknown. In 1821, three females suffered this 
terrible fate for having attempted to escape after being 
made prisoners in war. 
Throwing down a steep rock is the usual punishment for 
making the ody mahery, or practising sorcery. 
Burning is the military punishment for desertion or 
cowardice; and it first became a national law in the fol¬ 
lowing manner. After several thousands of Radama’s 
soldiers had been disciplined to form a regular army, the 
king convened them on a plain, and asked their opinion as 
to what punishment should be inflicted upon cowards or 
runaways in battle. In the warmth of their military fer¬ 
vour, some of the principal proposed burning alive. The 
proposition was seconded, and supported without a dis¬ 
sentient voice; and the king also adding his sanction, it 
became a law in the army. Radama used afterwards to 
say to his soldiers, “ It is not myself that punishes you, but 
your own law.” The king, however, was still at liberty to 
interfere in behalf of the criminal, and might order him, 
after having been tried and condemned by the court mar¬ 
tial, to be shot before he was burned, though the instances 
are rare in which this mark of royal clemency has been 
shown. Other crimes in the army are punished by flogging, 
loading with irons, placing in confinement, or making the 
culprit run up a hill for a length of time, holding a musket 
