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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

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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

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tance from the capital to meet his family. Prince Correllere was prevented from being present, by being unexpectedly made a state prisoner just previous to the hour of the funeral. Many more of the natives, and among them those in office, would, we well know, have attended, but for the melancholy event of the decease of their monarch, an event of painful coincidence with the departure of the Rev. Mr. T. We will not attempt to describe to you how deeply we feel for the public loss, and our own, sustained by the death of the sovereign of this island; a man who had always shown himself alive to our object; the warm patron of our schools; in fact, the father of his country.

Leaving the house of Mr. Jones, the body was conveyed first to the chapel, where the Rev. Mr. Griffiths and Jones officiated, in Malagasy and English; and from thence to the grave, where the Rev. D. Jones delivered an address and closed in prayer in Malagasy, in the presence of a great concourse of natives. In the burial-ground, a spot was selected for the mortal remains of our friend, near the graves of three who had fallen in the service of the Missionary Society. In life he had associated with the friends of missions, and in death he is not divided. It is intended to inclose the spot with suitable railing, with a simple tablet, and an appropriate inscription.

In consequence of the extraordinary aspect of public affairs, and the thronging of the people to the kabarre, held on the Sunday following the interment, on occasion of the death of the king, it was considered most prudent to suspend the regular service at the chapel; but on Sabbath, 17th August, funeral discourses will be preached in the missionary chapel, in Malagasy, by the Rev. D. Griffiths; and, in English, by the Rev. J. J. Freeman.

At your request, all the linen, the papers, &c., brought here by Mr. T., we have carefully packed; an inventory of which we have put into your hands.

In closing this rapid sketch of the painful event, we cannot avoid embracing the opportunity of assuring you how deeply we sympathize with the family and friends of the deceased, with the Society whose representative he appeared among us, and particularly with yourself the friend and companion of his labors. You have lost one with whom you cheerfully associated in the great work you had mutually undertaken. From all we saw of the departed, in his letters,

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and in the few personal interviews we enjoyed with him, it is but due to him and yourself to assure you how completely he had secured our confidence, our affection, and our respect. We still solicit of you, dear sir, to afford us all the advice and aid you can render us in our mission, and accept our sincere thanks for all the kind interest you have already expressed in our prosperity.

We earnestly hope and pray you may continue under the protection of the Almighty, may be permitted to reach home safely, may aid extensively in promoting the kingdom of the Savior among men, and at last receive the crown of life. We remain, dear Sir,

With unfeigned affection and respect,

Yours, in the service of the Gospel,

D. JONES.

D. GRIFFITHS.

D. JOHNS.

J. J. FREEMAN.

CHAPTER LV.

Funeral of King Radama--Abstract of a Letter from Mr. Bennet, the surviving Deputy, to James Montgomery, giving a brief Account of his Proceedings after the Death of Mr. Tyerman, his Return to the Mauritius, his Visit to South Africa, and his Voyage Home.

THE following account of the funeral of Radama, by George Bennet, Esq., the surviving deputy of the London Missionary Society, presents one of the most remarkable displays of barbarous magnificence on record in modern times :—

The death of Radama took place at this capital, Tananarivo, during the period of my visit there, and three days previous to the sudden and lamented decease of my late companion and friend, the Rev. Daniel Tyerman.

The king was dangerously indisposed when we reached Tananarivo; but we received from him, by prince Correllere, the chief secretary, a most obliging letter, welcoming us to his capital, and expressing his regret that he could not, on account of his illness, have us to dine with him on the day of our arrival. This letter was, we believe, the last that he dictated. We had previously received two very kind letters from his Majesty; one met us on our arrival at Tamatave,