File:The world's inhabitants; or, Mankind, animals, and plants; being a popular account of the races and nations of mankind, past and present, and the animals and plants inhabiting the great continents and (14598210900).jpg

Identifier: worldsinhabitant00bett (find matches)
Title: The world's inhabitants; or, Mankind, animals, and plants; being a popular account of the races and nations of mankind, past and present, and the animals and plants inhabiting the great continents and principal islands
Year: 1888 (1880s)
Authors: Bettany, G. T. (George Thomas), 1850-1891
Subjects: Civilization Culture
Publisher: London Ward, Lock
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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and all converts were persecuted, a large numberbeing put to death ; at the same time anarchy prevailed in many parts.For many years little intelligence about the Hovas reached the outerworld, and it is only known that wars of a disastrous character were con-tinually going on. The Hovas continually attacked the Sakalava chiefsof the North-west coast, and the latter at last sought the help of theFrench (1839-40), who again made settlements. For some years the onlyEuropean resident at the Hova capital was a Frenchman named Laborde,who was in high favour at court, and used all his influence in favour ofthe French. In 1853, the Rev. W. Ellis, of the London Missionary Society, landedat Tamatave, and succeeded in reopening Madagascar to British influence. T, TO- T.„. Meanwhile the crown prince Rakoto, son of Ranavalona,Rev. W. Ellis, n ,, , -y-, formally sought a French protectorate. After some daring attempts had been made by the Frenchman Lambert to effect a revolution THE MALAGASY. 677
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678 THE INHABITANTS OF AFRICA. in favour of the French, E,anavalona died in 1861, and her son (Rakoto) Radama 11. became king. He at once proclaimed religious freedom, invited traders from Mauritius and Reunion, abolished duties on exports and imports, restored to their former owners lands which had been confiscated owing to their profession of Christianity, and in many ways showed a reforming spirit. He proceeded, however, too rapidly and offended too many prejudices, and he was put to death in 1863. His successor, Queen Rasoherina, was proclaimed ; but the prime minister announced that for the future the word of the sove- reign alone was not to be law, but the sovereign, the nobles, and the heads of the people were to unite in making the laws. Religion remained free, and friendship with foreigners was to be maintained; but the first article of the constitution was rather a startling one, The sovereign shall not drink spirituous liquors. This reign was attended by continued sanguinar

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