The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1867-06-08
An Interview with the Queen
Of Madagascar.


Our friends will be glad to hear that Major
Finklcmeir is well in his FAR off home. We have
n letter from him and shall take the liberty of
giving a short account of his visit te the Queen
of Madagascar
On the 10th of November, Mr.. Finklemier went
on Il Government order to see the Queen, in order
to transact official business between the United
States and Madagascar. The Queen was at the
capital. -AntanalnaTivO. and hc reached the outer
gates of the city on the lSt of December. having
been carried on Il sedan chair with sixteen stout
negroes a. the motive power. for four DAYS. alonr
the iootpath through woods and mountains. there
being no carriage roads. The mountains they
passed over were from l,500 t. 1900 feet in
height, and some places it made one dizzy to look
down.
lie was often astonishcd at the sure-footedness
of the men, as well as their perfect knowledge of
the country 50 little marked by paths. The Gov
crnmcnt mail courier. by travelling dav and night.
goes this route in five days. When Finklemier
arrived hc gave the public minister notice of his
arrival. and on the 2d of December he GOT per-
mission Ia enter the city with his sixteen carriers.
il having taken that number 10 carry him over
the mountains, four ut Il time taking the sedan
chair in which he was.
leforc he entered the city, l. officers of the
Queen in gala uniform. and loo soldiers. with a
band of music. came out and took him into the
capital. The Queen sent Mr.. Finklcmeir Il splen-
did horse 10 ride into the city, and an officer who
spoke very good English accompanied the Tartv.
On entering the city thousands Of people were
out to see him and to witness the display. The
band preceded him, and Il salute of seven guns
was fired from the Queens palace.
Tic palace of the Queen j. $500 feet above the
level OF the sea, the capital being located on an
elevated plateau. BY the time Mr.. Finklcmicr
reached tie city he was out Of provisions, and had
his l6 men IL feed the Queen. however. sent
him a fat OK for food, and the Chief Minister sent
turkeys, geese, chickens, lamb, onions, rice, pota-
toes. and other things in abundance.
Next day the Queen sent to ask how he endured
the fatigues Of the journey and notified him that
she would ~ee him on the next Sunday, the 9Th of
December. On Sunday she sent an escort of
palace officers to conduct him tn the throne.
where she sat in state with her Ministers around
her. and a large number OF ladies and gentlemen.
ali in European costumes. the Queen wearing a
white broclde with a lIammelvn cloak hanging
from the shoulder. She arcs. and extended her
hand for him 10 kiss a. Mr.. finklcmeir entered.
and he kissed her white kids according 10 Court
The Queen X about ~ years of age.
quite tab and well educated and quite graceful.
Nh. Finklemcir was astonishcd to see her skin
what we i'm America would call white. and look
ing Young for her age. Mr.. Finklcmeir was next
introduced to all the ministers and guests \
great deal of gold and embroidery was displayed
in the court dresses of those present, and the dis
play was really quite brilliant. After - minutes
he withdrew. The officers atIcrward told Mr..
Finklemeir that the Queen was very well pleased
with his appearance. The Queen asked him dur-
ing the interview if he had served in the late war
in America, and it he had a family. The next
dav lac dined with the Chief Minister per invita-
ton. The dinner took from 4 p. NJ. % 10 at night.
was given in Il splendid bail, with a fine band
of music playing before the 40 guests. The din
ner and wine could not be excelled even in Europe.
finest of china and silver sets adorned the
table. Mr.. Finklemeir toasted the Queen in
the American language, and the Chief Minister
toasted the President and Secretary Seward.
IL I---TTl---. 80 - -. .-Tral IN Oh
January. when he babe his adicu u the capital.
returned A. he came.