The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-17 00:00:00

7HE CO.RONA7ION A 7 MADAGASC AR

"Accounts from Madagascar," says the Moniteur,
" make known the result of the mission filled by the Envoys
of France and England on the occasion of the coronation of
King Radama. The ceremony took place at Tananariva,
the capital of the Island, on the 22d September. It was
preceded by a solemn mass, during which a benediction
was given to the Royal Crown sent as a present by the
Emperor Napoleon. The King was crowned in the open
air. His Majesty wore a magnificent mantle, also a present
from the Emperor, and the Queen a mantle and a dress sent
by the Empress. An immense crowd assembled on the
occasion. In the evening there was a grand dinner, and a
display of fireworks. The representatives of France and
England met with the best reception from King Radama
and the Queen, and the most perfect accord has existed be-

tween them. The French mission left Tananariva on the
4th Oct., and embarked on the 17th at Tamatava, after a
residence of more than two months in Madagascar."—The
Messager du Midi publishes the following account of the
coronation at Madagascar, from the pen of M. Sivel, of
Montpellier, who was present on the occasion :-
4, An imposing ceremony has just taken place, performed
at the capital of the larffoet African island. The Hovas,
the grand dignitaries, the soldiers, and a part of the popu-
lation assembled at Antananrive, to witness the coronation
of the new King. Prince Rakout, son of Radama I. and
Queen Ranavolo, has assumed the crown of Madagascar,
and ascended the throne under the name of Radama 11. I
arrived at the capital on the 22d September, and the next
morning, accompanied by my fellow-traveller, M. Alphonse
de Monginot, I went to the residence of M. Laborde, our
consul, where M. Dupre, chief of the diplomatic mission,
M. Lambert, Ambassador to Madagascar,and some 20 other
Frenchmen, had preceded us. At 9 o'clock we mounted
our fitacons (a kind of sedan-chair carried by four men),
and repaired to the palace of Prince Rakout, where, on en-
tering the reception-room, the ministers and high function-
aries, dressed in superb costumes, received us warmly. An
immense number of fitacons had been prepared for the pro-
cession, as the ceremony was to take place at a spot half an
hour's walk from the palace. Coronations at Madagascar
are conducted according to a ceremonial of ancient date. In
the midst of a plain near the city rises a mound about 12
feet above the general level, end on this eminence is a large
stone slightly convex on its upper surface; this is the
sacred stone on which the heir to the throne is always
laid at his birth, and on which he in after life
receives his crown. At 10 o'clock the Cow t took its place at
the head of the cortege, next came the King and Queen,
and after them the missions and vases (the name used by
the natives to designate white persons). The King, the Duke
d'Emirue, and M. Lambert were on horseback, the Queen
and all the rest of the cortege rode in fitacons. After a
march of three quarters of an hour, at a very slow pace;
owing to the crowded state of the road, the King alighted,
, and offering his arm to the Queen, ascended the steps lead-
ing to the sacred stone on which his Majesty's chair was
placed, but the Queen's was not allowed that honour. Dur-
ing the procession musicians and an orchestra, organised by
the Catholic missionaries, executed various airs, while the
women sang songs in honour of the King, and clapped their
hands. On each side of the sacred stone a platform was
erected; the one to the left was occupied by the ladies of
the Court, dressed in red robes, they alone having the right
to wear that colour ; among them, however, was one toilet
remarkable for its elegant simplicity and good taste. A
blue silk dress, a Parisian bonnet, and a pretty English
face, formed an agreeable contrast with the showy dresses
and the dark•olive complexions of the Court ladies. The
platform to the right was occupied by the diplomatic
missions, the ministers, consuls, and vasas. Never
having been presented to the King, I was curious to see
whether his features were in harmony with the noble senti-
ments attributed to him, and as a vasa, I was honoured
with a place beside his chair. The King is 33 years of age,
rather above the middle height, somewhat stout, and his
open countenance is expressive of great mildness of temper
and extreme good nature. His countenance is generally
smiling; but when, after placing the crown on his head
with his own hands, and the Queen's on the Princess Ra-
kout, he stepped forward with a drawn sword in his hand
to address his people, he was really noble and imposing.
The Queen is above 40 years of age ; the oval of her face is
perfect, and excepting the mouth, which is somewhat largo
and partially open, her features are regular. She is a tall,
handsome woman, of noble and majestic port, and her look
is fixed and always severe. Like the King, she has black,
smooth hair, dark eyes, and an olive complexion. She wore
a robe of white moire, embroidered with gold, and a mantle
of red brocade, with gold fringe. At her feet were two
children, her adopted son and daughter, the former six
years old, the latter only two. Though married for several
years she has had no children. The King's speech
to his people excited unbounded applause lam not
King by my own will,' said he, ' I am King by the will
of God and with the assent of the European Powers. This
new title will cause no change in my sentiments; King
Radama 11. will be for his people what he was when Prince
Rakout.' The spectacle of the crowd which covered the
plain and all the surrounding heights, the music, the songs
and shouts of joy, the representatives of the two most civi-
lised nations, who came to promote the progress of another
nation, the intention of Radama to advance in the new
path, and to open his kingdom to commerce, industry, and
progress, all conspired to render the ceremony affecting and
majestic. Radama I. had already ideas of civilisation—his
son will no doubt have the time and means to carry them
into execution. Seated on the sacred stone, the King re •
ceived the deputation of his subjects who came to offer him,
as a token of respect and obedience, a five-franc picee.
This is a custom which even a foreigner who approaches
the King must not omit. At two o'clock the King con•
ducted the Queen to her fitacon, and mounting her horse,
led the cortege towards the palace of his mother Rana-
volo. This palace had been closed ever since the Queen's
death, and was not to be opened till the coronation.
The inauguration was splendid. In an immense sa-
loon, a table was set for 120 guests. Although so re-
cently arrived, Monginot and I found places reserved for us.
The decorations left nothing to be desired. At each end of
the table a roasted calf was served up whole, and there was
abundance of rich wines. At 3 o'clock we sat down to
table; the King had the Queen on his left, and M. Dupre
, on his right. At the Queen's left sat the English general,
the head of the diplomatic mission. There were about 60
of us whites, and the other places were occupied by the
principal meit of the country and the ladies of the court.