New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-04

natives OF the Malay Islands. The Hovas now Oc-
cupy about one-fonrth of the island, or at least
nave dominion over it, They are. as o race, some
what endowed with commercial talent and energy,
but are usually Enthusiastically and vacillatng,
like the people of most hot countries. The remain
der of the Maagasy tribes are of undoubted Afri-
can origin, and, although less energetic are gener-
ally much more trustworthy than the Hovas.
Traffic IN slaves is common among all the tubes ex-
cept the Hovas, who recently made law against
the traffic in their dominiOns.
The forms Of government of the different tribes
are like those which usually prevail among saw
ages. a kind of allegiance being shown to
despOtic chief or king as he usually styles him.
self, whose sway commonly extends but mile or
two from his principal, and often his only, town.
These chiefs constantly at war with one another
their tenure Of Office being based upon and limited
to. their ability maintain their position against
more powerful or ambitious neighbOrs. No dynasty
continues for long succession of years, as the peo-
pie are p0lygamOus, and there are always warning
factions bent upon the dispute of the succession.
The llOyas are the only exception to this rae
Their system was similar to that of the other tribes
up to about 1888, when an attempt was made to
found a royal house that should maintain its state
beyond the first generation. The young Hova King
Radama IT. was assassnatel by some of his cour-
tiers. and one of his wives the present queen, put
on the throne. Prime Minister was then
chosen, toTeguate the affairs OF the Government,
and attend especially to the interests of the royal
fami y and the succession. Tho Office of Prime
Minister can never be held by any Of tho
prncoly rank for fear be should use his power to
make himself King. But three members Of the same
family have occupied this office in succession ever
since it was Instituted and as these men have been
faithful 10 their trust there is every probability
that the Office will be made hereditary, and prove
an cnectual bolster to the crown. At present the
Hova Prime Minister is (eX-Oilicl0 husband OF her
Majesty and is besides General of the Army, SUI
premo Judge, Attomcy-Gcueral and chef OF every
department OF the Government There is no appra al
from his decision except to the Queen, ana even
then only through HIM. SO that his power is. in
reality, dcspot,c and supreme The liovaS alone OF
the Madagascar tribes have code of laws. Thus
is copied from the English Code and has done much
within the Lest generation to improve the condition
Of the p,ap!e and ~ extend the influence of the
Hovas Sowc restrictions upon immortality. so CONF
mon among he people, are apparently having the
desired effect; divorce, which was formerly COM
mon aud unuoticcd occurrence is less frequent
marriage has been made more binding and sacred
and the condition of slaves improved Education
is now being favored By the Hovas to the extent OF
maki..c II compulsory between the ages of eight
and sixteen years hut of course the method as well
~ he matter Of this education is necessarily most
primitive. though directed in the main with great
skill and perseverance, by the missionaries. The
Ouccn j. a Protestant and has her own chapel IL
the palace at TananarlyO, while sine does all she
can To assist the missionaries III their work among
tie people.
Tho roads OF the country are merely cattle trails.
Bridges are generally made by telling trees across
the streams. The lIovas. however, have built afew
bridges Of more convenient and substantial KIND.
when their sovereign Raue made progresses
through the country; but these have been allowed
to fall into decay when the royal travellers have
done with them. That the IIovas ave ability for
mechanical industry is amply proven by the fact
that they nj one time built several stone bridges,
Including one of SIX arches, guided only by the
picture IF bridge but as III csc were constructed
without propcr foundations-nO foundations being
visible IN the picture from when they We're
copcd-thcv soon fell into ruin. With the excep-
tion Of few ulock-drays used by foreign traders
on the east coast all goods are carried by men, on
the sAoulderor on the head. One man viii carry
from sixty to eighty pounds, divided into two
packages, and tied IN swinging position ~ ttlC
put5 OF a short pole, after Inc manner vi t"c
O,rutaI. Persons are carried bY relays OF toHr
men m palauquIus. those for men being shaped Ike
a chair. while those for women reSeinp'e 0pi"n1
Al
,tner ease there are two poles one on c&cE sac OIL
thc pllluqun. by which il Is carried sometimes
a sort of hammock ,lunG 10 pole II used anu WvIe
rarely still riding OK, or uN-hotsc, rs luo
Nai,ca,y call H.. Horses and donkeyS are very
scarce. ONLY a few having been imported Tor
foreigners For those who cannot afford one OF tIle
above modes OF CONVEYANCE, there Is no altcIn"lNe
hui To- walk. The natives usually 90 on LOOT
DAYS uncy for woman beng fourteen or hlteth
miles and for man about uouoI' una, Ti,' ,,t
The dwelling, Of the natives re Ecneiajy llSht
frame structures. made OF small poles. spllt pam
zoos and palm leaves; they contain very NIUE OF
no furniture, bark mat on the iloOr OF GA "lcN't
,,l,trnr,. al one side of the room serving
as bed sofa and table. In these parts Oh
the island where wood Is scarce the NUS
mr., limit of mui, AND III some places Wncre EuIo-
Means have taught them the people are beginning
f. make suu-LTed bricks. Ihatcllhg WIN grass
and palu- leaves IL the common style OF I0oIhBi III
house, with mud walls the ground is us'u asa H.V'
lint where the hut j. butt of WOOD near luirsuy de
gtnuud the floor is raised from one To three IetI 10
iinvv tuc water TO pass under In dry weather tins
sn1ce serves as shed for The pigs, Chickens anu
ether domestic birds aud beasts, and ADDS no hihg
~ the wrctched sanitary arrangements Oh tDeir
dwellings, and villages, which, Ike thOse OF most
savagcs are filthy III the extreme an" lnesteu ~
aiI kinds of ycrmp Ii is rather curious Iact tnat
the MaiacaSv houses are built IN square iorm'
while those of Their probable plO8cnI"rs, 'nc "4'''
ot Eastern Africa are built IN q circular form.
Both sexes 20 without clothing up TO the age OF
nine or ten years, at which period me Ooy Is attteu
by The s. ple process ot lying a clOut aOout Tue
lou- while the costume OF a giri Is piece ol Mat
TING tied around the waist. Wherever european
inn enco has affect ed the native dress, the people
themselves IN sheets, something aftert.e
fashion of the Arabs, Or-whlcn ~ daily on the III
crease-adopt various articles of European costume;
I he country abuunds IN god. copper, IRON, ana
coaI mines which have never been worked tn any
extern. rs Europeans have been kept away from
Them by the Hoyas Once opened up to clVlllZed
commerce. there Is no DOUBT that lne CUM Via ha
lie tounu exceedingly rich IN many articles that the
world needs and that II will supply ready anu eA,
tusiye market tor the manufactures OF Europe anu
America he east coaSt anG the higher parts OF
The island are very healthy for EurOD' ans. Raii-
wnys and other public improvements are 10 10
pressed forward tho immediate future' ana theIo
- GOOD opporfuuity for American enterprise 10
MAY mart in that section Of the world II Is pet,
,pn~ iicL imam Mexico or Peru because less worked
than either.
JUDJCIOTS UJFE