The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-10-25
A BIG ISLAND.
THE RESOURCES AND PEOPLE
OF MADAGASCAR.
The Ruler a Woman. Has Absolute
Power Over Her Subjects
Singular Habits and
Ceremonies.


Power Over Her Subjects
Singular Habits and
Ceremonies.
The island Of Madagascar is one Of th
largest and most important on the face @
The globe, being exceeded in size only b
Bomeo, Z re leave Australia ont Of tn
question il Is one n the few region
where the interests Of France and Eng
land seriously clash. The former ate
q contest Of nearly 800 year, has at las
sncceeded ID establishing its prctectorate
but zhs English are still powerful through
Their missionaries, who hEFe sue
cealed IN converting the people 70 III
Protestant filth and iuaugurating
nubiie school srstom, wlicb gives then
e strong hold On The sympqthies Of tn
people. The island IS over 1909 miles i
iengfh. The brsadth at its widest poin
Is 33s miles, while the area Is consider
laiy ereater than inst Of France. 1t
III part of fhs world 10 which genera
attention Is every year more closely
drawn II is just south Of the equstori
not lar from the southern extremity o.
Africa- Opposite, on the African coast
Is Nozamnigue, dominated by the Por-
tagaese but coveted by fhs English A
iittle 70 tbs northeast is ZANZIBAR, where
the Germans are coutending for supre-
macy, having divided the country with
Eneisnd
TIE habits and customs Of tie natives
are So peculiar. SO mixed With ancient
49, @.-2zs-.-1l. -z.-sssa eassroerie' -sl.-a Z
dezrriutioa of ten cannot fall % inter 5
even ths most blase reader Of foreign
sr1rei. The ocennantof tie throne now,
Rsnsraloua III. S az ebsaiate ruler, al
least n practice. though she shares her
pous- rh har husband. She is the
1iese Of lan-laioua il. 70 whom Ralni-
lariranF uas also married, having d.
ro1aad LIS VIE t0acCompiish that union
he 5 rasllr tie i11Fer behind tie throne
H. IS the most influential person IN the
kingdom, though be has numerous power
I'll enemies, seine Of whom are Of his
own family. The Queen has a cabinet
81 adrisers, comprising Foreign Minister,
NJ
2flaist= OF FiHsaee, eIc., IN imitation Of
civilized s5reraigns. Important deci-
sc1s. such IS 3 change % religion. are
taslea ina popular assembly called kabar,
mace up Of representatives, Of different
pro7inces and meeting near the capital in
the apeu ai1 IN manner as secret as its
naia5e-s win permit This assembly
bears e remarkable resemblance TO the
pgpllar councils II the Druids held IN
tiis forests Of Gani before The Roman oc-
a11asi0n. Us mission IS rather that Of
vehicle Of the rogal viii than adviser Of
tie Cievn.
The Queen occupies splendid palace,
built sumo years ago after the plaus and
under fte sunelntendence Of a French .
u1caisezt It IS furnished in European
fashion n dress she follows the mode
q Pans. Size Is REGARDED with humble
rEFeses0s b shs mass Of her subjects,
anoss whom she makes once or twice q /
Ysar long journey from village 70 VII /
lsse, altendad by vast retinue aud sur
rounded by al the pomp and ceremonial
betting her rank AS there are no 1
r0sds iaeze journeys are necessarily made /
~ The Queen and court in Itters, streams I
Aasiag oftea 70 be bridged and path
ways cleared through the forests in
advance Of the procession When ap- 1
p1aaching G village the population come
forth to meet the Queen, prostrating
themselves dancing. singing and Offering
themselves aud all their possessions to
her. II she chooses TO add them to her
.e,llls saay leave their homes and follow
Der. The giving Of piece Of silver is
obligatory. i s an important addition
10 the zeFenues Of the kingdom. She re-
spends graeiousiE, Eaving the scepter,
= aicl never QUITS her hand, and always
al5iug her discourse with the words,
E An Fou who i've beneath the skies own
y8ur Queen. IN whom there IS no deceit. p
Is Hhleh the people who have just been
nuicted reply IN chorus; i'Izayi I
Izay.7 That is s0i That e SOD The
speeches O tie Prime Minister are
i1smed On tie sane model and end with
-le inTarieble formula: 80, subjects Of the
Queen. IS not Ranavaiona mistress Of all
TIE N0zid7H 10 ghich there is the same
clay Izay.a Sometimes
1hese PROFESSIONS last for three months
aul tie Income IS important. 4 large
Tlzrt % The caravan Is made up Of persons
% uoaerate maans, who, not being able
-1 pay the prices Tor the things they
aeed 70 tie merchants who follow and es-
.abiish hazaH Ct the halting places, where
B splendid camp IS pitched, are left be-
hind aud their bones bleach the route af-
.er the manner Of the pilgrims 70 Mecca.
Another source Of income is confscation
b sbe Crown Of All property Of parents
dying without children
one Of tie most singular Of the eere-
uenies which has survived tie old re-
gime IS that q the Frandroana, or festi-
.ai u the bath, which lasts several weeks, T
during which time business at the capi-
I'd Is suspended. Tie HoTas, ike the
Arabs. count 10y moons, and this bath
aas instituted bF RalaInbo 70 celebrate
he new Eear, which begins on the 22d
lf EoTell5er & r0Tal decree announces
% adTmcs the number Of oxen 10 be
ziiied and the tax to be paid By each On
isesr purchases. This is % Confines %
ssntsi for each Oldest son, j centimes
.os the youngest son and 5 oentimes for
alantz Or the day u the bath Ell the
sasts are requested to assemble az the
lsiace. Al the appointed hour the
Queen appears IL the throne-ro0m, clad
q Der richest garments and adorned va
ls lnsi,snia u royalty shortly ak !, :
Tarl sle Ietlres q 8 tdif IN one corner q
lie auar-ueat, within wiieh she takes,
u IS presumed 10 take, the prescribed
.bi1lon, after which she RESP pears, hold
~ ID her hand q horn filed with water
rem she ROYAL 5atltu5, with which she
fErmkles those present as she passes
Ino1g them. Those whom she wishes
% faFos receive a liberal douehe. It
sss noticed that q. the last festival II.
1eyer d. Filere, the French Resident
General, who accepted the place Of honor
opposite tie throne, received an extra
slisntitg Of moisture As her Majesty
s1mes from tie bath she exeiaims three
imgs f,Iasin0 aho- II am uurifiedl.