Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1895-10-12

csesmonl Are 81 q Semswhat
Peculiar Character.

We have heard great deal about the
war In Madagascar, but very little has
been said about its inhabitants, customs
and superstitions. Some of the latter are
very strange. Its inhabitants, SO far as
esting study.
The Hovas are no longer savages.
They are subject to laws and regulations
and obey an absolute authority which pre-
sides over their political dcstinies and de.
terniines their social condition. This
power Is vested In the queen, and though
In reality she yields no visible power In
the actual ruling Of the country, yet her
influence Is so great on the minds Of her
subjects that nothing, even the most un.
important action, happens In their lives
In which her name Is not mingled, In
which her influence Is not felt. Her
wishes are considered supreme commands
and she Is regarded as divinity.
When she gives an audience In her
palace, her visitors are obliged to observe
the greatest ceremony. They approach
her with reverentisl salutations and genu-
Elections, the number Of which are de-
termined by their caste and honors.
Every morning her bodyguard present
arms before her palace and before she
arises intone the national hymn, the
''Sidikina," to which everyone listens
standing and uncovered. When she goes
70 any public ceremony, she walks under
red umbrella ornamented with golden
ball, through respectful crowd, who
emit cries Of Joy, clspping their hands Ia
unison.
The queens husband, the prime minis.
ter, Is man Of the people and Is really
the head Of the government. II Is he who
directs the policies Of the 1rmenian king
dom. Surrounded by his secretaries, his
staff and his aides-de.camp, who are
counted by the thousands, he exercises
the power which the queen represents.
lie d perfectly familiar with all that Il
passing In Europe, where several Of his
IONS have been educated, and he Is ably
seconded by skillful advisers.
Marriage among the Hovas presents one
peculiarly which IL indigenous to NADIA.
yascar; II Il always preceded by q novltiate,
4 It may bc termed, which prevents any
unpleasant surprises to the married couple
later. They are authorized to make .
preliminary experiment Of the duties and
rights which will follow their union. Tho
young girl Is introduced into her future
husbands home, and after few days 10
returned TO her parents. After these form.
alities are complied with, the husbands
family address an official demand to tho
young girls family for her hand or they
signify their refusal.
An orator In these affairs repairs to tho
home Of the future bride ut the head Of o
leputation composed Of the fancc and his
family. lie expatates on the object Of
the delegation, goes over the titles, quail.
tiles and genealogy Of the future husband
and winds up by making formal de-
mand for the young girls hand.
The father or his representative replies
In eulogistic speech, enumerates the
conditions Of moral conduct, and wise
administration necessary In the house.
hold, makes discreet allusion to divorce
or an amicable separation which will al.
ways be permissible In case Of incOmpati.
bility and terminates his address by grant
Ing his daughters hand. Then the fianco
gives some earnest money and acquires
martial authority. Ever after the wife
will be counted among bis goods and
chattels. She becomes . piece Of mcr.
| chandise and may In case Of necessity
enter into legal transfers, whether for
debts or crimes. II Is therefore to .
husbands advantage to add to the number
OF his wives. This Is what he generally
does. Polygamy In this sense adds 70
the wealth Of the household