ARRIVAL AT TANANARIVO.

273

never recovered from the shock-never smiled afterwards. The tidings were brought by one of the missionaries from Tananarivo, and after the consultation which they held with the latter and Mr. Jones, to resolve what was best to be done, either immediately or prospectively, in such a crisis of affairs, Mr. Tyerman took Mr. Bennet aside, and strongly urged the duty of returning forthwith to the coast; otherwise, should the king die, their lives would be in the most imminent peril, and they could never hope to escape out of that dreadful country. It was a difficult matter to persuade him of the imprudence of such a step. He yielded, however, and they accomplished their journey.

In the immediate neighborhood of the capital, tombs are very numerous. Among those there are many erected in honor of the slain in battle, or those who have otherwise perished, and whose bodies have not been found by their relatives. These are oblong stone structures, and variously adorned, but always open towards the west; while, at the contrary end, a pole, eight or ten feet high, bearing a flag, is placed, and on a second post, with a transverse beam at top, are displayed the horns of the bullocks slaughtered at the time of the funeral ceremony, which is always performed notwithstanding the absence of the corpse. Some of these untenanted sepulchres are of a semicircular form, with the bullocks' horns, forming a border of points, built into the cornice of the wall. Within this segment there are fixed enormous stones, from twelve to fifteen feet high; around which, in the open space, the spirits of the deceased are said to come and play.

On the arrival of Messrs. Tyerman and Bennet at the last stage on their journey to Tananarivo, two aides de camp from Radama brought them a message, that his Majesty had sent a horse for each of them, recommending that they should ride upon the same up the steep hill, leading to the metropolis, and through the city, according to the usage with persons. who were received as royal guests, in which capacity the king had acknowledged them from the hour of their landing. Accordingly they quitted their couches and mounted these steeds, which were spirited and beautiful animals, under a discharge of twelve pieces of cannon, to welcome them to Tananarivo. Thousands of people lined the road to see and hail the strangers; but all behaved with the utmost decorum. The missionaries and European artisans had already met the

274

DEATH OF THE REV. D. TYERMAN.

deputation; and also M. Gross, the French architect, who was employed in building a stately palace for Radama. About five o'clock in the evening they alighted at the house of Mr. Jones, which they had scarcely entered when another message was brought from the king, expressing his great concern that, on account of his severe indisposition, he could not see them that day. His Majesty, however, sent them a present of several bundles of firewood and a supply of fresh provisions, consisting of a sheep, a turkey, two geese, a pair of ducks, and four couples of fowls, with a basket of eggs. Soon afterwards, prince Correllere, who acted as the king's secretary and prime minister, waited upon the deputation, by the express command of Radama; in his name, to congratulate them on their safe arrival in Madagascar, and to assure them of his Majesty's favor and protection during their stay in his dominions. The commander-in-chief of the forces, general Brady, likewise paid them an official and friendly visit.

The documents that follow will show the circumstances which ensued upon the arrival of the deputation at Tananarivo, on the 21st of July, 1828. At the close of some minutes of the events of that day, Mr. Tyerman entered the following record of mercies experienced up to its last hour:— "Hitherto the Lord hath helped us. Oh! what gratitude we owe to God for preserving us from all accidents during so long and dangerous a journey, and allowing us to reach this city in the enjoyment of the best health, after traversing a country which, at certain seasons, is so subject to fevers and disease. We are in the heart of this heathen land, but under the kind protecting wing of its sovereign. Oh, for a heart more grateful for favors so many and great! the glory!"

To God be all

On the ninth day after this date, July 30, Mr. Tyerman expired suddenly. Within the same brief interval king Radama also died, though the precise time of his decease was not immediately made public. The fact itself was kept secret, till a struggle between the claimants within the palace for the succession to the throne, had been decided, not without bloodshed. The conflict ended in the accession of Radama's youngest queen, Ranavalona Manjaka, to his authority, by the aid of the priests and the soldiers. The resident missionaries, after the interment of Mr. Tyerman, addressed the following letter to Mr. Bennet, as an official statement of

MISSIONARIES' LETTER TO MR. BENNET.

275

the circumstances under which the deputation had been invited to visit Madagascar, and the lamentable events which had intervened since their landing.

Tananarivo, 11th Aug., 1828.

To GEORGE BENNET, ESQ.

Dear Sir, and highly-esteemed Friend,

Having been requested by you to draw up, for the satisfaction of friends, a brief account of the afflicting event of the decease of our much respected and beloved father and friend, the late Rev. Daniel Tyerman, we submit the following, as an outline of the principal circumstances of the case.

Convinced that important benefit would result to this mission from a personal inspection, by the deputation, of the several departments of labor, and by the advice and counsel they were qualified to afford, we felt it our duty to urge a visit to this capital, and embraced the earliest opportunity of transmitting to you all the information in our power respecting the best season, and most suitable mode of travelling in Madagascar. And we still cherish the hope that, by precautions suggested, and arrangements made, our valued but departed friend—as well as yourself was preserved from the diseases and dangers peculiarly incident to the climate.

Our senior missionary, the Rev. D. Jones, in order to facilitate the journey in prospect, left this capital for Tamatave, early in May; and by the measures adopted, in providing bearers, provisions on the road, &c., enabled you, our expected friends, to proceed towards the interior of the country without any detention on the coast. Owing to the heavy rains which had lately fallen, you could not have commenced your journey sooner, even had you arrived at an earlier period than you did.

On the evening of 19th July, you received the intelligence of the illness of his Majesty, Radama, by which Mr. Tyerman appeared considerably affected; and on the afternoon of Monday, July 21, you both reached this place. That you would have been cordially welcomed by his Majesty to his capital, had he been in health, we know from the remarks he had often made in reference to your coming, and from the

276

MISSIONARIES' LETTER

various marks of attention he ordered to be paid you, on your arrival.

On reaching this city, our deceased friend several times complained of cold, and said he felt the climate to be very different from any he had ever before experienced. Viewing all circumstances, we do not wonder that Mr. T. should have been anxious to go over the business of the mission without delay, and prepare for his return to the Mauritius. Devoted to the work before him, he attended two evenings, though unable to sit up, to the affairs of the mission, so far as his strength allowed.

Immediately on the arrival of our lamented friend, suitable medicines were administered, particularly with the view of keeping the bowels in a healthy state; this, however, was rather a precautionary measure, than dictated by any indications of actual disease. Our dear friend complained of an entire prostration of strength, and compared his weakness with that of infancy. He was restless several nights, and remarked that he could not compose his thoughts sufficiently for sleep. Yet there was scarcely any acceleration of pulse, no pain whatever was felt, and none of the symptoms of Madagascar fever could be perceived.

On Tuesday, July 22 (the day after your arrival), Mr. T., with yourself, called on the several members of the missionfamily, and afterward went to the missionary chapel. He attended the next morning and on Thursday afternoon, when some senior scholars were examined in their theological knowledge. Sabbath morning, July 27, he attended public worship, but was too indisposed to take any part in it, and returned home unwell; still complaining only of weakness. On Wednesday, the 30th, he had intended accompanying Mr. Jones, to visit some of the schools in the neighboring villages, while you were visiting others with Mr. Griffiths; but, not feeling adequate to the effort, merely took a ride a short distance in a palanquin, and felt able to converse and ask questions during the exercise, both going and returning. But soon after reaching the house of Mr. Jones he became so obviously and alarmingly ill that the missionaries were requested by you to meet; with yourself, they could entertain but one opinion; the symptoms were those of apoplexy: one course alone remained to be pursued, to take immediately a quantity of blood. This was promptly done, and a blis

ter applied. During the application of the latter, Mr. T. fainted, was gently placed on pillows, and in a few moments, while we stood, with yourself, gazing on him with feelings not to be described, the spirit fled-without a groan, or sigh, or struggle.

Owing to his debility, he had not been able to converse much with those about him. The last words which could be understood, as they escaped his lips, were, " All is right; the covenant, the covenant of grace!” We know in whom he had believed, and you are able to bear testimony how he served the cause of his Redeemer. But, in the midst of his labors, he has been summoned to his rest. He has departed, and is now with Christ, and triumphs in the eternal gain.

R. Lyall, Esq. (a gentleman well acquainted with medical science, and who arrived here the day after Mr. T.'s decease, in the capacity of British agent at the court of Radama) was informed of the circumstances, and kindly consented to our request of seeing the corpse. He immediately assured us, and for the satisfaction of friends wished it to be distinctly stated, that what had been done for the deceased was most proper-that the case was evidently apoplexy-that he was so sure of this as to deem it unnecessary to examine any further, which else he would have done-that the cause lay in the very form and construction of the deceased (whom he had frequently seen in the Mauritius)—that the fatigue of journeying might operate as a secondary cause, but this was not to be attributed to any peculiarity of the case in Madagascar, for the same event might, with equal probability, have occurred at any time, and in any place, of our friend's travels.

Arrangements were now made for the interment, which, so far as the means of the country would permit, we were all anxious should bear those marks of respect we sincerely entertained for the departed, and which we knew his friends at home, and the Society on whose behalf he acted, would wish paid to the memory of one who will long live in the affection and respect of all who knew him.

Friday, August the 1st, was appointed for the funeral. All the members of the mission-family attended; yourself, the chief mourner; general Brady, and Mons. Le Gros, and a great body of the natives. R. Lyall, Esq. apologized for absence, being under the necessity of returning to some dis24

VOL. III.