manenra--a sort of nervous affection, such as has too often
accompanied revivals in Christian countries--appeared among them. The
nobles confederated under the lead of the commander-in-chief,
Rainivoninahitriniony, and remained aloof from supporting the king.
Finally, the king published a mysterious law, allowing individuals or
tribes to fight in the presence of witnesses--a law supposed by the one
party to encourage assassination, and by the other to tend to the
extirpation of the Christians.

The prime minister, in a letter written in English, explains the last
scene thus: On the 8th May, the chief officers requested the repeal of
these laws; the king refused; and the tenth day, a public tumult
resulted in the slaughter of the Menamaso, or native favorites of the
king. On the 12th May, the leaders, afraid to pause, strangled the king,
and proclaimed Rabodo queen, under the name of Rahoserina.

It is believed that no foreigner was injured; but the nobles have taken
an important step in proclaiming the new queen as direct successor of
Ranavalo--thereby ignoring the reign of Radama II. As the fundamental
rule of the Hovas had been that the title to all land was in the
sovereign and inalienable, the grants to Lambert and others are held to
be void. We believe this has not been officially stated, but Commodore
Dupre, who negotiated the treaty between France and Radama, says that
the treaty was almost unanimously rejected by the great council of
nobles, and was accepted solely by the king.

The last advices, 6th September, from Port Louis, are that the French
fleet at Tamatave maintains a semi-warlike attitude toward the Hovas,
not landing nor recognizing the authorities. Rumors are rife of the
intentions of the French Government to seize Tamatave, and apply other
coercive measures, unless the former treaty is carried into effect.

The case seems to stand thus: The emperor, availing of the weakness of
Radama II for his favorite Lambert, concluded a treaty, by which the
king was to entirely alter the laws of the kingdom, and to give the
French a controlling influence in the Indian Ocean. The people have
deposed their ruler, and refuse to be bound by arrangements made by his
will alone. Under ordinary circumstances, Napoleon would hardly brave
the anger of England in a matter in which the latter has so much at
stake. The prize, however, is well worth the effort. Any European nation
obtaining sole possession of Madagascar d