THE ISLAND OF MADAGASCAR.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1720, 3 September 1862, Page 9

THE ISLAND OF MADAGASCAR.

(From the *• Polynesian.*’) This extraordinary portion of the earth, perhaps the largest island of the world, excites great interest at the present time. It is rich in natural productions and abounds with cattle and poultry. Its plains furnish every tropical production—balsams, rice, sago, And spices of all kinds. Under the enlightened policy, of King Radama, Christianity was malting rapid stride* among its inhabitants; many had turned from beotbeli’r igm and the light of the gospel had illuminated their habitations. This pleasing state of things was put a stop to by the death of Radama. The Queen assumed the goverment on the d:ath of tier husband. This heac then Queen hunted the native Christians like wild besets; and although England and France made efforts to establish commercial relations their labour bail no effect, and she determined to destroy every vestige of Christianity, and became in fact a monster of cruelty. As anrilUMtration of her sanguinary character, i« is related that on one occasion she drew together a tribe which had fallen under her displeasure, and then let loose, her aoU diers upon them, killing twenty-five thousand who were kneeling to do her homage. It is estimated that during her reign thirty thousand perished annually hy war, executions, and other cruelties. , in ~ri ■* Recent advices from England bring intelligent* ;ola the death of the Queen, and that her son now reign* a* King. Radama 11. embraced Christianity several years ago, and it is believed that he is following the example of bis father. It is understood that he open* to free trade with all nations, and seeks to maintain friendly relations with foreign nations. Being himself a Christian, be will encourage the extension of Chris- ’ tianity, and the advancement of civilization among his people. ".Jr Jr: w • Many will remember the history of the mission; in Madagascar, published by that eminent missionary, the ,• Rev. Mr. Ellis. Some native Christians have written, to that gentleman giving interesting accounts of their > prospects under the new King. The friends of the mission in England bate prevailed on Mr. Ellis to make another visit to Madagascar, and he left London on the - StstoF November,.forthe, Mauritius, whence he|wou!d proceed to Antananarivo, the capital of ' From the extractgiven below some ideacan be formed of the resources and importance of the island j Madagascar is about four times the size of •R*’**"England, and'is larger than the empire w France# While there is a rim of low comt a short wtwee Inland, the country becomes diversified with mils and mountains, one of the latter reaching the elevation of 111,000 feet. The rivers are many and large, but too rapid for navigation. The lakes arc numerous *a extensive. The soil is fertile; and rice, cotton, m and thf (for the purest of

worms,) are the principal products, though the cereals of Europe are easily cultivated in the uplands. But the grand staple over all others is the first mentioned •—rice. It is a singular fact that this great staple, which is next to cotton, in south Carolina and Georgia, was first brought to Charleston from Madagascar not 20,0 years ago. . Next to rice raising, the people are engaged an tne spinning and weaving of silk, cotton and linen (abnes. After this comes the breeding of cattle and the manufacture of iron. The Mauritius and other contiguous islands receive from Madagascar their supply of fresh beef; while before the accession to the throne o the late Queen vast quantities of hides were expor e ; those coming to our country were generally brougiit in Salem vessels. Madagascar has its share o use u minerals, such as iron, rook salt, nitre, &c. Ron ore. in some parts is found in large quantities on t ie very surface, and the mines have never been "’O' ’ e depth of more than six feet. What a storehouse of tins valuable mateiial nature has placed m * s 18 aII ’ 8 convenient to Africa, to Southern Asia, an ic n i ar i^ P Q e i a tfd°steel are made in large quantities by the natives ; and an American physician, who as as well skilled in mineralogy as in medicine, once informed us that the steel made in Madagascar, from Us peculiar and yet Simple manner of fabrication, is the best m the world. This physician is one of the few foreigners who have been permitted to visit Madagascar since the death of Radama. Now, all these resources and productions which we have mentioned are those which the world must have- Wo have been looking for cotton fields; here is a country (with as much cotton land as can be found in all the Gulf State,) just thrown open to market.