The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-08

nm comparatively h'Nf ''s
French-Sheldoa, who Inst year maze an
excursion into eastern Africa az the head
OF an expedition which she ORGANIZED, -
now writing n book descriptive Of that
somewhat sensational jouSey. she has
nearly completed the manuscript ana has
come to New York 10 put the hulshlng
touches upon it, and two or three puDNsh-
ers have made her handsome offers Tor tho
right Of publication.
Mr.. Taylor, however, is an unknown
traveller and explorer, so far as Americans
arc concerned, although his work has been
so highly appreciated by the Royal Geo
graphical society that he has been elected
n life member Of IL, and will in June read
q paper before it in which his Madagascar
experiences will be described. Mr. Taylor
was born in New York city. HIS FAMILY
has possessed wealth and high social stand
ing. and career in any Of the professions
or in finance was open TO him. However
even from childhood he showed the strong
est inclination 20 travel, and before he had
reached mans estate be had made several
exciting trips. After he was Of age Air
TAYLOR Travelled extensively in Africa, VIZ
tied Australia, and then conceived the idea
of making thorough explorations OF IN
freauented quarters Of the globe. Hayins
wealth, energy and good health, ho We
well fortified for such endcavors.
A year ago he determined TO explore the
island Of Madagascar from one end 10 the
other. and in the early summer Of last
year he started from Tamataye with
company consisting Of some thirty porters.
-Four of thexe were employed 10 carry him.
They were muscular negroes and theJ NJ
orally carried him upon their backs, Tor
there are no roads upon the island the
jealousy Of the native tribes against threat
ened French usurpation having caused th'
edct TO 20 forth that no road should
constructed. Mr. Taylor was carried IN
contriyance something like a sedan chair
The rest of the porters carried the pro
visions. Thus over narrow footpaths, FREE
ouentlv following the most triling trails
through the forests and over the noun
tains, Mr. Taylor went from the east TO
the west coast Of Madagascar, and also
covered muca Of the territory OF the island
from north 10 south.
He SAYS that he bad no startling adyen-
lures. saw no wild beasts, for there arc
practically none on the island excepting
one resembling the American mountain
lion. had no encounters with huge snakes
or poisonous reptiles, and was only twice
I'm danger Of his iife-once when he was
taken down with the coast fever and was
brought almost 20 deaths door, and once
when he was attacked by the savage tribes
which live upon the west coast OF NADIA
gascar He had a battle with some OF
these warriors, in which two Of his com
pany were killed and several wounded,
while the warriors, after losing number,
were dispersed.
Mr. Taylor, however, was not seeking al
venture He desired 10 learn something OF
the geography, the flora and fauna OF the
island, and above all TO study the people.
With the exception Of the saya9es upon
the west coast, no was everywhere treated
with civilty and in many places with cor
diality. Tho queen was especially cour-
teous TO him, and be found her reigning Ia
a capital Of something like 100000 people,
living in a handsome palace and guarded
by considerable army drilled by Euro
peans well armed, but rather amusing 50
far as uniform was concerned. The queen
invited him TO be present at the sacred
feast Of her annual BATH and In other ways
especially honored him.
Mr.. Taylor in his book is likely 10 dispel
some ideas that have prevailed regarding
Madagascar. lie will show that IT - not
an island Of very fertile soil, and that aside
from rice and some fruits it would Do
worthless, perhaps, FOR European colo
nists. Investigation revealed 20 him that
the island is enormously rich in gold. lie
picked up several nuggets Of gold which
be found in the gold region, and he studied
that district for a week or more with a
view 20 determine something Of IFS wealth.
II seemed 20 him that the gold mines there
promised greater riches than do those OF
Australia, but be says that it will be many
years before this wealth gets 20 any mint
The reignlng tribe is so fearful Of white
and especially French domination that II
has put a practical embargo upon the
working Of the mines. 10 has granted
two concessions, out has required as
royalty IS per cent. OF the gross output,
which Is practically prohibitiye. More
over as there are no roads upon the island,
and as the gold district is practically in
accessible without roads, il would require
a large army with a great corps Of sap.
pers, miners and roadbuideFs 20 overcome
the army and subdue the territory Mr.
Taylor says that if the French should
attempt TO subjugate the island by force
il would be impossible for the army 70
reach the capital without a loss Of from
$1,000 10 10000 men. For that reason the
gold mines OF Madagascar are likely 10
remain undeveloped for many years
Mr.. Taylor found evidences Of enormous
deposits Of iron and copper, but there is no
coal on the island, and in order to develop
such mines charcoal would have 20 b.
burned
Tho fora Of Madagascar is very beauti-
ful, and some of the orchids which Mr..
Taylor found exceed. he said, in beauty
anything discovered in Borneo Some "
them were Of enormous size, Of the most
beautiful tints and variations OF form.
There was also a species Of tulip which.
though Of prodigious size, was perfect 10
form ana in appearance, seemed as though
It had been made Of the most delicate wax.
Mr. Taylor says that the rcigning tribe
there is, in his opinion not Of negro, but Of
Malay descent. Some OF the traditions
and superstitions are of distinctivoly Malay
origin, and the features and color Of the
skin are also suggestive Of Malay ancestry.
The people are lazy and not oyernice.
Mr. Taylor will not write a lengthy book.
He will tell the story Of his experiences 10
Madagascar in q brief volume Of some 30
pages As soon as the manuscript -
finished Mr. Taylor will sail for London TO
read his paper before tho Royal Geograph-