The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-15 00:00:00

THE ISLAND OF MADAGASCAR.

There are few countries which have been less visited
by modern travellers than the Island of Madagascar.
Those who are interested in the history of this country,
its natural productions, and its numerous inhabitants,
will be glad to learn that the Rev. Wm. Ellis, who left
England last March, at the express invitation of the
Queen of Madagascar and the Prince, her son, has suc-
ceeded in reaching the capital, after an adventurous
journey from the coast, a distance of about 300 miles.
With the same attention and kindness which awaited
_ .

his arrival at Jamateve, Mr. Ellis was conducted through
all the stages of this journey, and finally arrived at the
capital on the 27th August, with the respect and con-
sideration befitting to a guest of the Queen.
More than a hundred men had been appainted by the
Madagascar Government to convey him and his pack.
ages, as being carried by hand, himself in a kind of pa-
lanquin, in which the traveller reclines for the greater
ease of the bearers, and his property portioned out by
weight, a certain amount being allotted to each car-
rier. Every precaution was necessary for strength
and safety ; for such roads, or rather such tracts, to
be traversed without roads, Mr. Ellis states he could
never have imagined. Much of the way was through
swampy districts, and shallow rivers, in crossing which
the palanquin had sometimes to be raised upon poles, on
one occasion the men shouting as they went ; and when
asked the cause of the noise, it proved to bo for the pur-
pose of frightening off the crocodiles, In one instance the
party crossed a broad lake in fifteen canoes. At other
times their way lay through dense old forests, perfectly
awful in the majesty of their giant growth, and the still-
ness of these vast solitudes. Sometimes the way was so
narrow and precipitous that only one man could pass
abreast, and where more level the bearers had often no
bitter footing than a considerable depth of soft mod. It
was the rainy season ; and Mr. Ellis describes this por-
tion as -being justly designated the " fever district."
Indoed, he was often reminded' of one amongst the
many shrewd sayings of the late King Rodarna, who
used to boast that he could trust any invading army to
his two generals, " Wood and Fever.' The party passed
or., however, and were halted occasionally for a day,
without any attack from this malady, except in the case
of one of the bearere.

Throughout this portion of the journey Mr. Ellis was
much struck with the beauty and variety of the ferns,
with some heaths quite new to him, and with many luxu-
riant creepers bearing beautiful flowers. The ropier palm,
so valuable to the natives in their manufactures, was
abundant, as well as the traveller's tree, a palm peculiar
to Madagascar. The remarkable properties of this tree,
from which it derives its name, is that of yielding, when

the branches are pressed, a perfectly clear and pure
liquid, in quantities sufficient to allay the traveler's
thirst—sometimes not less than a quart from one small

nciaion.

On emerging from the fever country, and reaching a
more open and better-cultivated country, the ropier and
traveller's tree were no longer found. The indu-try of
the Hovas was then more perceptible in the cultivation
of rice grounds and in many other kinds of produce, as
well as in the weaving of beautiful fabrics of native silk,
chiefly the lamba worn by the chiefs as a kind of mantle,
with a broad striped border, often of bright colours,
arranged with the greatest taste.

,At all the different halting stations the party were re
ceived with kindness, ample provisions supplied, and if
any of the bearers absconded, as they sometimes did,
their packages were sent forward by the chief of the place
with the greatest exactness and certainty. Frequently
during the course of the journey messengers arrived from
the capital to express the friendly anticipations of the
Prince and his friends, and on advancing towards the
last stages these marks of attentio❑ became still more
frequent. At last three chiefs, on horseback, approached
as a final escort ; and the traveller was then conducted to
a house appointed for his use, which he found exceedingly
commodious and comfortable, being fitted up with many
of the conveniences of European life.
Mr. Ellis being obliged to despatch his journal by the
bearers who were returning to the coast, had not had
time for his anticipated interview with the Queen ; but
his letter closes with an account of a visit from the Prince
of a most interesting nature. He was accompanied by the
Queen's secretary, who speaks English, being one of those
who some years ago received their education in this
country. The Prince is described by Mr. Ellis as being
extremely agreeable in his person and manner. He
was dressed in the style of a European gentleman of
rank, and spoke and conducted himself with a frank and
open cordiality, blended at times with evidence of deeper
feeling, all indicative of that sincere, humane, and gene.
roux disposition for which be is so universally beloved.
In those respects in which Mr. Ellis is most deeply
interested, he states that the condition of things exceeds
even his highest expectations ; but the same stringent
laws against Christianity remain in force, although there
has not of late been any active persecution. Already he
has learned enough to confirm the Impression that it was
his duty to pay this visit, whatever the ultimate issue
may Le, and ho earnestly solicits the prayers of all Chris-
tians that his mission may not be in vain.

THE RECORDERSHIP OF BRISTOL.—In consequence of
representations made by the town-council of Bristol to
the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the
salary of the Recorder, with the concurrence of Mr. Ser-
geant Kinglake (who recently succeeded Sir A. Cock-
burn in the office, and who left the matter entirely in
the hands of Sir G. Grey), has been reduced from 6001.
to 500/. per annum. In connection with this subject it
may also be stated that an application has been made by
the Bristol Corporation to be beard before the commis-
sioners recently appointed to inquire into the practice
and proceedings of the superior courts, for the purpose
of laying before them the great inconvenience and ex-
pense at present entailed upon Bristol in being obliged
to send prisoners committed for offences requiring to be
disposed of at assizes to Gleuceeter for trial. There is
at present an annual Nisi Prius assize held at Bristol,
which it is suggested should be held half-yearly, with a
criminal assize in addition.

VAGUE NOTION or NUMBER.—When once at Carnar-
von I learned hew vague are the ideas of number in
unpractised minds. " What number of people do you
think," said I to an elderly person, " wiil be assembled
this day at Carnarvon ?" " What number ?" rejoined
the person addressed, " what number ? Well, really,
now, I should reckon—perhaps a matter of four mil
lions." Four millions of extra people in little Carnar-
von, that could barey find accommodation (I should
calculate) for an extra icitir hundred.—Confessions of an
Opiunveatcr,