The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-03-20
ROYALTY IN THE BATH.
Traveller Witnessed Peculiar Cere-
mony I'm Madagascar-The Fete
of Fandroana.

1T isn't every day that a mortal sees
a Queen take a bath, but that was my
good luck" said Mr. William f. Fran
els, one of the passengers on the
steamer Chateau Latitte. from Bor-
deaux, which arrived at New York the
other day.
1T was at Madagascar that l saw
the rare sight" said Mr.. Francis to a
group of friends at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel.
Mr.. Francis was at Madagascar some
months in the interest of Il new Orient
trading company. Madagascar is off
the southeast coast of Africa.
s'They have an annual fete there
called Fandroana, or the Bath of the
Queen. | was present at the last one" )"
added Mr.. Francis.
According to the returned traveller
this is one of the most brilliant of the
animal fetes. 1t took place at 9 o'clock
in the evening. For two hours before
the streets were thronged with people
in palanquins.
All the foreign ambassadors were
present. 'If they stay away from this
ceremony" said Mr.. Francis, lit is
considered an insult"
The grand hall of the bath was in
the splendid palace. 1t was beauti-
fully illuminated. Facing the entrance
was magnificent throne, upon which
the Queen was seated, enveloped in red
draperies. AT her left, upon "a cushion,
was a royal crown, sparkling with dia-
mOndS.
To the right of the throne were
placed some hearthstones, upon which
in an instant they heat the water for
the Queens bath, and afterward cook
rice and meat.
.'One of the most curious of the pre-
liminaries " said Mr.. Francis was the
sight of the delegates of the various
castles of the people and of the army
squatted on the floor. In front of the
throne were massed the foreigners.
That's where | was said Mr.. Fran
els. lighting Il fresh cigar.
Suddenly the band struck up an
Oriental air." he went on, land before
us passed in procession bearers of
wood, of rice and of various instru-
ments necessary to the ceremony The
fire was lighted and the royal bath
water heated. y
MI tlHb!N Stlll llldU lHC lHttIcSl
among the foreigners at this point was
intense. How was she going to take
the bath?
The Queen at signal, slowly rose,n
said Mr.. Francis. Il shall never for
get how beautiful she looked as the red
drapery fell aside and revealed her
form, clad in tight-titting garments.
She was topical Oriental beauty, with
a graceful, supple form, revising fea-
lures lighted up with deep wells of
eyes
Mr.. Francis was getting as excited
as his listeners. but continued:
''As she stepped down she looked
toward the ambassadors and smiled.
All, what teeth! That vision of pearls
haunts me yet! As she neared the
place where the heated water was, the
audience became as still as death.
Every eye was fixed on the beautiful
woman.
Il was about to close my eyes" con-
tinued Mr.. Francis, ''when four slaves
ran up, each carrying screen. They
set them up with incredible rapidity.
When | looked again the beautiful
creature had disappeared inside of this
little impromptu bathroom
Splash! splash! the water could be
heard falling on the royal person hid
den in the little cabinet. But no one
was allowed to enter but two female
attendants and the princes and prin-
cesses, who received the royal benedic-
ton.
After a long time, during which
the thunder of cannon and the rattle
of musketry alternately said Mr.
Francis, the curtains were pulled
aside and the beautiful queen appeared.
She was greeted with a tremendous
clamor. No wonder Her long, black
hair, still glistening from her recent
bath. fell over her half-bared shout
iers."
The Queen was robed in crimson vel
vet This time the crown was on her
head; and her throat was dazzling
necklace of diamonds, and bracelets of
gold encircled her wrists. From a
calabash, silyer-mounted. which she
carried in her hand, she sprinkled the
audience as she trayersed the hall. AT
he door Her Majesty sprinkled those
outside and then returned to her
chrome.
After that said Mr. Francis, ''some
Of the foreign ambassadors were Ere-
sented to the Queen and the assem-
olage dispersed. All, what night
shat was!' concluded the narrator,
throwing away his cigar, half in petu-
lance and half in memory -gloritied re-
gret.-N \, Journal