108 
the Madagascar cotton is none inferior to the Bourbon. 
Indeed, what is usually called by that name, is prin¬ 
cipally sent from the former place, and shipped from 
thence to Europe. 
Hitherto the Madegasses have been but imper¬ 
fectly acquainted with the vast extent and value 
of the resources of their country. Under any other 
circumstances than those which have existed, they 
would long ago have attracted the attention of the 
commercial nations of Europe. With a superior 
geographical situation, a climate congenial to the 
growth of all the vegetables, plants, and trees common 
to both hemispheres, and every country ; mountains 
replete with various metals and minerals; navigable 
rivers running in every direction; and excellent gulfs, 
bays, and harbours distributed around the coast, at 
short distances from each other, she can boast unpa¬ 
ralleled advantages; and were she in the hands of a 
civilized people, she could command a trade with the 
four quarters of the globe. 
At present the commerce of Madagascar, like its 
agriculture and the arts, is in its infancy ; (and, indeed, 
we may look upon these as of collateral growth * for 
it is seldom that we see them flourish separately.) It 
is transacted wholly on the island, and is confined 
chiefly to the Arabians, the Isles of France and 
Mauritius, and our East-India ships, which usually 
touch at it to take in a supply of water and provisions. 
But it appears a new era is about to dawn upon 
her, and that the reigning monarch has not only 
