350 
over the consciences of the natives, unless supported by 
such a military power as would render resistance in vain. 
There is a principle in human nature strongly opposed to 
such an assumption; and when once its injustice comes 
to be well understood, every noble feeling of the heart is 
called into exercise in support of its rights. This spiritual 
domination is the very essence of Popery, which it has 
evinced in every age since the world has been cursed with 
its baneful influence. Nor is it possible that its assump¬ 
tion of it should cease, for then it would cease to be 
Popery. ** 
We have related, in the history of Chamargou’s 
government, the disastrous consequences of the imprudent 
conduct of Father Stephen, who, it appears, was at the 
head of the mission at Madagascar. This conduct caused 
the destruction of all the missionaries except one * ; and 
excited the utter detestation of the natives against the 
French. Under these circumstances, it was not probable 
that any attempt to convert them would be attended with 
success. During the time Chamargou remained on the 
island, the colonists were engaged in a series of warfare 
that was ill calculated to promote such views; and although 
nothing occurs in history on the subject, we have no doubt 
but that upon the subsequent expulsion of the French, 
those natives, who were considered as converts, returned, 
like Andian Maroarive,f to their former religious and civil 
habits; congratulating themselves at having escaped as 
well from the fangs of a bigotted priestcraft, as from the 
lawless tyranny of despotic invaders. 
The entire destruction of the colony, after the death of 
Chamargou and departure of Bretesche, appears to have 
put an end to all idea on the part of the French to christ¬ 
ianize Madagascar. The island, indeed, was deserted by 
them till towards the middle of the last century, when the 
* See pp. 142,144. 
f Seep. 124. 
