The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-21

p 3
purchase of spectacles for poor children
who would otherwise be kept out of the
public schools
Observation-Disclosures III Declares War.
The Madagascar News is one of the most
interesting and inspiring of the Journals
exchanges at this time. 1t. OF course, re-
quires some weeks for the transmission of
mail from Antananarivo, and the issues an
nouncing the prospect of war with France
have but just arrived. The earliest of these
war editions says: THE Red Flag, the
blood-red blossom of war; waves from the
stately East Tower OF the Great Palace
Manjakamiadana. And from the mountains
of Anbohimanga, Ilafy. Namehana Am
bohidrabiby, Antsahadinta, Ambatomanoina,
Arivonimamo, Aiasora, Ambohidratrimo,
Ampandrana and Ambohijoky, also stretches
proudly out in the breeze the symbol that
the time has come for the nation to throng
to the standard of its Queen and Fatherland,
and strike for hearth and altar. On Tuesday
morning next" it continues, Her Ma
jesty Ranavalomanjaka III, Queen of Mad
agascar, will come down to the national
place of meeting, Andohalo. and deliver Her
Royal Message to the people, On Tuesday
morning, as aforesaid, the Queen came
down and the description of her surround
ings and her attire suggests the traditional
magnifcence of the Queen of Sheba. Eu-
ropean royalty is dwarfed in comparison.
Victoria is not in it, with Queen Rama
valomanjaka III In fact. she is not so
much mentioned, Queen Bess being the
only one with whom Ran is compared.
A vast and enthusiastic crowd of people
assembled and a great procession came
down long hill escortlng her Majesty.
THE din yet ragged with undated vigor
when his Excellency Rainiaiarivony with
graceful dignity appeared upon the Royal
Dais in the act of handing her Majesty to
the throne Here is the picture of the
place where the scene was enacted:
The Royal Pavilion was of Oriental archi--
lecture and magnificence. A canopy of
crimson and gold surmounted gold lned pill
lars, whose corners were ornamented each
with two spearheads crossed; and from the
summit of the canopy there rose a crown
shaped dome of gold and deep purple vel
vet. Directly beneath the canopy, there
were, spanning the space, between the -FOUR
sides, arched holdings traced with cardinal
and gold. silk curtains, green and gold IN
cooring, draped the eastern sou the pa ana
Pavilion her Majestys chair OF gold ana
crimson stood.
And If any deluded person has vague
idea that the Madagascar Queen doesn't
know what gorgeousness means, they have
only to read this description of her gown
and her crown:
throne the regal splendor of her robes was
at once apparent. From her shoulders
rately embroidered in gold was pendant IN
flowing folds over dress OF white SILK
richly gold embossed whose whose SKIRT i was r,asna
with the train. These queenly robes had
their grandeur enhanced by diamond neck
lace and pendant. of sparkling lustre ana
purest water resting upon them, as the
jewels encircled the graceful neck of her
Majesty by a pair of superb bracelets, rich
~ wrought in native gold. which her Ma
jesty wore upon, her elegantly slender
wrists. and by the splendid gold crown crown
poised head The crest of the crown was
surmounted by an eagle in flagree. and sew
a national legend. Beneath the eagle eight
tasses bent outward in curving line. Eight
the center. On each branch a small eagle
was engraved. Between the branches
crimson velvet contributed richness to the
effect Beneath was a circle of festooned
gold, above which rose between the branch
es seven golden suns. And the whole was
The crown is entirely of Malagasy work
manship, and is fashioned, according to the
that was worn by the ancient Kings
and queens of the country.
What European queen has a crown to
equal that? It's makeup and other feat
ures of the royal lady's costume indicate
that she has belief in the gold standard
of values.
But the Queen was not alone in her
glory: His Excellency. the Prime Minis
ter, wore a superb-looking state dress of
white corded silk, tastefully ornamented
with golden cordng. Across his breast
shone the insignia of the numerous orders
that have been conferred upon him. His
helmet, with it's plumes and his boots were
all in harmony of color; his sword sheath
was of gold, and in his left hand he held
by purple-velveted handle, gold-plated
shield
The costumes of the princesses and maids
Of honor cannot be given here; it is enough
to say that they were of a splendor to cor
respond. Then, when all was ready the
Queen made a speech and declared war-a
declaration that was responded to with the
cheers Of the loyal subjects. After that it
may be presumed that she went home and
took off her war clothes, but the report
does not follow her that far. 1t indulges
in eulogies of her speech, repeats her dec
laration that the land had been given to her
ancestors by Cod and that she and her
people would not permit the French to take
il away from them, and says: History
contains no parallel to the scene that fol-
| lowed. Many time in ages past has
nation been sore beset. Many a time have
gallant warriors vowed devotion to mon
archs whose realms have been threatened
with conquest, but we venture to say that
never before has the world witnessed so
pious and gallant scene"
| 1t was really, no doubt. very imposing
scene, war with spectacular and theatrical
| effects being more impressive than mere
documentary proclamation after the Euro
pean and American fashion But If any
one has fancied that the magnificence OF
| royalty was played out they must revise
| their opinions after hearing from Queen
Ran.