Apart from their religious instructions, the missionaries of the London Missionary Society have done a great deal to enlarge the general knowledge of the people and elevate their family and social life. They have given them new instruments for material progress, that have already secured valuable results. They first systematically wrote down the language: and both by learning to write and to use the press, the government and the people have made abundant use of the new power placed at their command. Mr. Chick, with his huge anvil and muscular arms, astonished the people by the larger forms of iron work which he could produce. Radáma admired him greatly. The native smiths and artisans soon copied their master. Carpenters, builders and masons have done the same. Perhaps the most striking improvement which has been accepted on a large scale, is the adoption of the English dress. It took place during our visit, in December 1873. With the approval of the people, the Queen expressed her readiness to receive her subjects at Court dressed in English costume. The transformation was rapid, and the demands made in all directions for hats, bonnets, feathers, sprigs of flowers, and ladies’ jackets was very great. Higher wants than these are being felt: and in due time they will no doubt be supplied. Of these roads are an important item: and the payment for service in money. And it is a happy thing, that by improving and elevating the customs and institutions of the country on their old lines, the stability and safety of the nation are secured.
Things are yet very backward. But the Malagasy are an intelligent people, an orderly people, a loyal people, a religious people. They have learned much already: and they are improving daily. They are governed by a good Queen and by wise and able officers. Had they at hand, in the Capital, a wise English Consul, to advise them (when they need) in difficulties, and to aid them in the solution of important problems continually coming before them, their progress would be greatly facilitated. Under such influences, secular and sacred, Hawaii, with its sixty thousand people, has grown into a Christian nation and has taken its place in the world’s history. Far greater will Madagascar at length become, when elevated, sanctified and ennobled in all the elements of its social and public life.
CHAPTER VII.
LAKE ITASY AND THE VOLCANIC DISTRICT.
South Border of Imerina—Hill of Antongona—Arivonimamo, the old Capital—Great number of beautiful hills—Miádana Manjáka—Lake Itasy—The Mándridráno—Religious knowledge of the people—The grass of Madagascar—Numerous craters and crater-lakes—Mahatsinjo and its people—Vinány hill—Kitsamby river—Antoby—The Vava Vato—Norwegian Missions—Menabe—Betafo and Sirabe—Volcanoes—Hot springs and Limepits—Votovorona—The East of Ankárat—Andraráty—Our return—Western Imerina—Ambohiveloma—The Fárahántsana: falls of the Ikopa.
CHAPTER VII.
LAKE ITASY AND THE VOLCANIC DISTRICT.
The season was now advancing: the dry weather had come, and in the open parts of the country there was little fear of fever. The plans of the mission were pretty fully shaped out: and there were important districts which we had not yet seen. In dividing the country parts of Imerina among the churches of the capital as spheres of Christian labour, the south-western, the district of Imámo, had been allotted to Ambóhitantély. This church and its branches were in the hands of the Friends; who have given to them the most devoted care. During our visit, one of their number, Mr. Clemes, had gone to settle at Antoby near the end of the district. We arranged therefore that we would visit this district first: and Mr. Joseph Sewell, the senior member of the Friends’ Mission, kindly engaged to accompany us.
We left the capital on Tuesday, April 14th, at ten o’clock, having planned to accomplish but a single stage on the first day of the journey. As our route lay along the south border of Imerina, we crossed the Ikopa, and three of its tributaries, and bent our steps towards Antongona, one of the most striking hills in the province. The Sisaony, which we crossed first, is a broad but shallow river, which we had met with higher up, near Ambátomaláza. The Andromba we found a hundred yards broad and four feet deep. The Katsaoka, a few miles beyond was about the same size. Both rivers rise among the eastern roots of Ankárat, and coming round Fandravásana and Kingory, flow across a level, which looks wonderfully like a dried-up lake; and uniting at its western end, flow northward to join the Ikopa, at the foot of Ambohimanoa. Before crossing these rivers we found that the population was sensibly growing thinner.