36 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR 
ciiap. 11 . 
within the island than to the development of its resources for 
external commerce; for although the capture of the herds 
belonging to any of the tribes who may be conquered or 
dispersed may increase the number of disposable cattle pos¬ 
sessed by the Hovas, it can only be a temporary increase, to 
be afterwards followed by greater deficiency. 
But besides those who were eager for the arrival of the 
money and the articles of foreign manufacture, which the 
opening of intercourse with other countries would bring to 
Madagascar, there were others deeply interested in higher and 
more important objects, eager after more valuable supplies, food 
for the mind and the heart; and though we could not satisfy 
their wants, our frequent intercourse with them was intensely 
interesting, and sometimes deeply affecting. Much im¬ 
portant information was received from them; and our best 
advice and kindest Christian sympathy appeared to be both 
welcome and cheering. On one occasion, when one of the 
friendly natives whom we had expected to see entered the 
place where we were sitting, after looking earnestly at each of 
us for a few moments and almost mechanically giving us his 
hand, there came over his whole countenance such an ex¬ 
pression as I had never before witnessed in any human being. 
It was not ecstasy, it was not terror, and yet an apparent 
blending of both, marked by an intensity of feeling but rarely 
seen. During the whole interview, which was long, there was 
a strange uneasiness mingled with evident satisfaction, which 
it would be difficult to describe. It would be unsuitable to 
make any mention of his name, or rank, or of the present 
circumstances of some, or the tragical end, on account of their 
faith, of others, most closely connected with him. 
Many others were often deeply affected, sometimes even to 
tears, when they found us unable to supply what they had so 
long and so earnestly desired. I met one day, in the house 
of a hospitable and friendly trader, a native chief, who, after 
