As yet no restriction was placed on the distribution of religious books, and the hope was entertained that at least those which had been already distributed would be allowed to remain in the possession of those who had received them, and for the same reason they were still given to those who applied for them during the two days' interval between the letter of the queen and the kabary to the people; and as all the scholars had came up to town to hear the kabary, there were most extensive applications for books and tracts. From that time most of the Christians withdrew, and hardly ventured to visit the missionaries, as it was found that Rajery, one of the most inveterate enemies among the judges, had sent some of his Dekana or aides-de-camp to watch near their houses, so as to see what natives came to them. It is probable that many were at this time employed as spies, and it seems that the Christians, being aware of it, were on their guard.

It was now a time of great excitement among all parties, friends and foes, at the capital, and it was felt that the lapse of a few days would involve a most important crisis in the history of the mission, and the moral state of Madagascar. The friends of the idolatrous party were on the alert, the entire civil power of the government was being arrayed in its defence, and the little flock of Christians were on the eve of becoming "like lambs in the midst of wolves." The members of the mission knew that the cause of Christ must ultimately triumph, but rejoiced even in this with trembling, knowing how fearful might be the struggle ere victory for truth

was won.

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KABARY ASSEMBLED

CHAPTER VI.

Detailed account of the proceedings directly connected with thẹ suppression of Christianity in Madagascar.

HAVING in the last chapter explained some of the causes and circumstances which led to the adoption of a series of vigorous measures for the suppression of Christianity in the island, it may be useful and instructive to notice in this chapter the measures themselves, as illustrative of the spirit and character of the government, and of the trials to which the native Christians were exposed.

On Sunday, the 15th of February, all the "Heads of hundreds" were ordered to assemble in the spacious parade ground at Tananarivo.* The judges met them there, and conveyed the queen's command, that they should forthwith. summon all that were able to walk, men, women, children, and slaves, to attend a "kabary," to be held that day fortnight, the 1st of March. None were to re

main at home in Imerina, excepting one individual in each house, to take charge of the property. The soldiers were ordered to assemble on the 24th of February, invalids as well as those in health. On their arrival, the assigned them for en

troops of each district had a spot campment; their names were called over, and their numbers strictly examined. On the 26th and 27th,

* It is called Imahamasina, and is situated on the western side of the hill, and is so extensive, that from 100,000 to 200,000 persons might be conveniently assembled there.

AT IMAHAMASINA.

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the bourgeois from the distant villages began to assemble, and a large party of Vahiny, or strangers from the western coast of the country, who had come to take the oath of allegiance to the queen, and be received under her protection. On Saturday, orders were issued that all the different encampments of the troops should approach nearer to the spot where the great kabary was to be held, and that the strangers should hold themselves in readiness to attend the kabary on the following day. Strict orders were also issued that all the people should assemble at Imahamasina, on the parade ground, early in the morning; that all the soldiers not having military clothing should assemble there at day-break, to form a line on each side of the road along which the strangers were to enter the ground. These lines extended nearly a mile. The soldiers who had military clothing were arranged on the parade. The judges proceeded in the morning to inquire of the strangers if they were prepared to take the oath of allegiance and that business being terminated, the judges entered the parade, where they were met by the officers of the palace accompanied by a regiment of troops and the queen's band. The strangers arrived on the spot at the same time. The cannons were now kept firing along the brow of the hill that overlooks the parade, and the musketry of the lines of troops along which the strangers passed kept up an incessant fire at the same moment; all intended to awaken alarm in the minds of the multitude, and to show the stern determination of the queen to carry her point by all the power she could command.

The vast concourse of troops and people being now

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MUSKETS AND POWDER.

assembled and arranged, the officers who had commanded an expedition to the west, came forward, and, with the usual formalities, gave an account of their proceedings and success.

The strangers who had accompanied them to the capital declared their fidelity, and presented the usual tokens of subjection. Again the drums beat, the music played, the cannon and musketry fired, the people shouted, a semi-barbarous dance was performed by a certain class of the troops, and graver affairs then commenced.

The principal judge addressed the people in the name of the queen, to the effect that the kingdom of Ranavalona was a kingdom continually advancing; that in the time of Andrianimpoina and of Radama, they had purchased muskets at a very high price, paying for them as much as thirty Spanish dollars each; that gunpowder also had been extremely dear, but now, says the queen, these articles are made in my country, and you shall see to what perfection they are brought. Several of the newly manufactured muskets were then fired off, (happily, without bursting,) produced a tremendous noise, and greatly delighted the people who cared at all about the matter.

One of the principal native gunsmiths, and one of the superintendents of the powder-mill, then made an oration in praise of their own ability, and assured the queen, through her officers, that they would faithfully retain and improve the knowledge of these arts, which they had received from the Europeans.

The principal judge again commanded the attention of the assembly to the message they were now to hear, and for which they had been summoned, and all, whether

soldiers, scholars in the schools, or bourgeois, were to repeat the message in every direction, so as to make it universally known.

The Royal message was as follows:

"I announce to you, O ye Ambaniandro, I am not a sovereign that deceives, nor are the servants deceived. I, therefore, announce to you what I purpose to do, and how I shall govern you. Who then is that man, a servant too, that would change the customs of our ancestors, and of the twelve sovereigns in this country? To whom has the kingdom been left by inheritance, by Andrianimpoinimerina and Radama, but to me? If then any would change the customs of our ancestors, and of the twelve sovereigns, I abhor that, saith Rabodo-nandrian-impoin-imerina. "Now, on the subject of reviling the idols, treating the divination as a trifle, and throwing down the tombs of the Vazimba, I abhor that, saith Ranavalomanjaka. Do it not in my country. The idols (say you) are nothing. By them it is that the twelve sovereigns have been established; and now are they changed, and become nothing? The divination also, you treat in the same manner; and the tombs of the Vazimba, too, though indeed, they are their own evidence. Even the sovereign counts them sacred; and are the people to esteem them as nothing? This is my affair, saith Ranavalomanjaka, and I hold him guilty, whoever in my country destroys them (the tombs).

"As to baptism, societies, places of worship, distinct from the schools, and the observance of the sabbath,-how many rulers are there in this land? Is it not I alone that rule? These things are not to be done, they are unlawful in my country, saith Ranavalomanjaka ; for they are not the customs of our ancestors, and I do not change their customs, excepting as to things alone which improve my country.

"Now then, as to those who have observed baptism, entered into society, and formed separate houses for prayer, (or worship,) I grant you one month, saith Ranavalomanjaka, to confess (to make self-accusation), and if you come not within that period, but wait to be first found out, and accused by others, I denounce death against such; for I am not a sovereign that deceives, and servants are not to be deceived. Mark then the time, it is one month from yonder sun of this day, that I give you to confess. The scholars at Ambodinandohalo, and those at Ambatona