The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-11 00:00:00

pearance.

By the last accounts the revolution in Madagascar
assumes a more intelligible form, and there is not so
much cause to cast indiscriminate blame on the con-
spirators, as it at first appeared. It seems that the
King provoked his own untimely end, and, although
nothing can excuse or justify the violent conduct of
his adversaries, still there is much to explain, if not
palliate their actions. Far from fulfilling the pro-
mise which he gave at the outset of his reign, we are
informed of King RADAMA, "that his views of the
duty of a ruler were exceedingly defective." He
persisted in a series of actions that, separate,
would have been sufficiently inimical to prosperity
or credit ; but, taken collectively, were more than
enough to shake the foundation of the strongest
throne, and lay low in the dust all the hopes of
the friends of the King. He persisted in taking
into his councils a set of degenerate young men, to
the exclusion of the old favourites of his father.
He also put aside the measures for the suppression
of crime, and constantly gave himself up to intem-
perance. As might have been expected from such
conduct great discontent arose, and the faction that
arose against such a ruler was headed by the Prime
Minister, and the Commander in-chief. The mis-
guided parties who had obtained so pernicious an
influence over the mind of the King, led him into
all kinds of extravagancies and fostered all sorts of
delusions. They endeavoured to influence him by
the revival of all the old superstitions of the coun-
try, and we are told in the account that
they succeeded to an extent which resulted
in his rain. A set of fanatics, real or pretended,
sprung up, who declared that they saw visions,
and in one of these the ancestors of the KING

had appeared to them, and their voices from the
invisible world had signified what the KING ought
to do for the good of his country. A man who
could be so infatuated as to be guided by such ab-
surdities may be said to have called down his doom
on his own head. In spite of the entreaties of his

teal friends, the KING persisted in giving credence
to the movements of the fanatics, and declared that
he recognised the voice of truth in their warnings.
He gave every encouragement to the dancers, whc
crowded around him, and even went so far as to
declare that the disease would not be checked until
the " praying" was stopped. It is reported, and
most probably with some foundation, that these
extravagant and extraordinary proceedings were
countenanced by the guardians of the idols, and that
they bribed large numbers of persons to come from
the country to uphold the delusion, and so carry

out their projects. The proposals that then were
made were so outrageous, that nothing short of a
revolution could be expected. For the purpose of
arresting the progress of Christianity it was sug-
gested that a number of Christians sbould be assas-
sinated, and also that the chief nobles who were
inimical to the acticns of the KING should share the
same tragic end. The KING issued an order, that
whoever met any of the so-called sick, as the fana-
tics chose to desigeate themselves, should take off
their hats, and thus renew the tokens of respect
that had formerly attended the march of the nation
of idols when they were taken through the city;
also to shield the persons of those employed in the
murderous designs proposed. The KING issued a pro-
clamation, that whoever wished to fight should not be
prevented, and that the murderer should not be
molested. Of course such a notion alarmed the
community. The Prime Minister, with a large
detachment of nobles and influential parties, after
a day's deliberation, went to the KING and im-
plored him not to fulfil his desperate threat and
sanction murder. The KING remained inexorable,
he was deaf to their entreaties, and bent on having
his own way. The deputation returned and con-
sulted as to their course—they were resolved on
opposition to the Royal decree. The most complete
confusion then reigned paramount. The Rev. Mr.
ELLIS, the agent at Madagascar to the London
Missionary Society, who communicates this infor-
mation, here mentions he narrowly escaped with
his life from the machinations that were set afoot
against him. Five of the " Mena maso," as the
confidential advisers of the KING were called, had
determined to take his life, in order to put some
check to the progress of Christianity. Fortunately
their evil designs were frustrated, and their cruel
wishes unfulfilled. In consequence of having re-
ceived a timely warning he went to the KING, and
had left caner than usual, and on his return has-
tened to a place of safety. A great number of the
c( Mena maso" were seized and killed, but twelve or
thirteen were with the KING These it was in-
sisted should be given up. The troops surrounded
the palace, and the few soldiers with the KING re-
fused to fire On those outside. At last the KING
consented to give up the Mena maso if their lives
were spared/ and they were confined in fetters for
life. But this did not allay the fury of the storm
that had now burst forth, and we learn that
the KING, hawing said in his discussion with
the nobles that be was supernaturally pro-
tected, and would punish all opposers to his will,
the nobles resolved that he must not live, and he
died by their hands the next morning within the
palace. The QUEEN, who alone was with him, used
every effort to the last moment of his life to save
him, but in vain. His advisers, the Mena maso,
were afterwards put to death. Thus all the chief
actors in this strange undertaking, that was to con
vulse the country and subvert all existing forms,
were victims to their own absurdity and infatua-
tion. Judging from the tenour of this narrative of
events, it would seem as if the reports that gained
ground concerning the KING having lost his reason
were in a great measure true. The conspirators
m
next determined on their mode of government, and,
strangely enough, offered the throne to the QUEEN.
But, warned by past experience, they insisted on
making certain conditions with her previously to
assuming the reins of Government. After reading
the document, the QUEEN armed to its conditions,
and the nobles then said, .6 We also bind ourselves
by this agreement. if we break it we shall be
guilty of treason, and if you break it we shall do as
we have done now." The QUEEN and Prime Minis-
ter, on behalf of the heads of the people, then signed
the document. From some of the items here enu-
merated considerable improvements are to take
place in the conduct of affairs. The Sovereign will
not rule with despotic sway, but the laws are to be
made by the Sovereign, and the nobles, and heads
of the people. All foreigners who conform to the
customs of the country are to be protected and al-
lowed full liberty. Also freedom to worship is given