Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-12

=
 land were remote, some one, whose
 business 1t was to know, could al-
 ways account for him. He was often
 seen driving out accompanied uy his
 favorite wife and Prince Wanilo. Once
 each. month he appeared at the gov
 ernor's to receive the allowance made
 him by the French government. He
 always appeared in public attired in
 his kingly robes and invariably smok-
 ing a cigar in a very long pipe.
 The government allowed him a
 house, too, where he and his family
 lived peacefully, sadly and always
 with with longing for his former do- minions. He made many requests to
 be returned to Dahomey, and his ex- fled condition moved many people to intercede tor him. The local popu- lation sympathized with him, officials pleaded his cause, and for years polit- teal Journals Of the colony have teemed with editorials bewailing his sad position. Finally the minister for the colonies compromised and consent ed to his transfer to Algeria.
 Behanzin never liked any of the features which other people find so charming in Martinique. When he was brought here after the end of that memorable campaign in West Africa when his warriors cut up whole com panies of the French soldiery he was confined for a time in the old Fort St. Louis. It was thought he would be more reconciled if given more liberty. so he was allowed much freedom. During the volcanic disturbance of Mount Pelee, in 1902, he was very rest less. and his discomfort was marked during the recent seismic movements. Anything served as an excuse to ask to be sent back to his country.
 Of the thousands of tourists who came to Martinique many were more anxious to see Behhanzin and hobnob with royalty than to look upon the many scenes of beauty and interest for which the island is justly cele- brated. He was indeed a royal exile.
 The exiled king returns to Africa, but not to his own country. In AL geria he will still be an involuntary exile. People here will now be more interested in the voluntary exiles, of whom there are a number, such as former President Simon Sam. of Hayti; Lafontant. former minister of finance. and several deputies and gen. erals, all of whom have been con- demned to death by default in the Haytian republic and are here wait ing the passing of President Nord be- fore it will be safe to return to the black republic.
 Behanzin's son. Prince wanilo, is an illustration of what education c7n 60 for man. Educated in the common schools and the Lycee of Martinique, he compared favorably with his black and white fellow students in his stud 1 ies. and this in a country where the l standard of education Is very high. | wanilo in late years was always pres ent when the king deigned to give an audience. He is the mouthpiece of I his dethroned father and translates hss ! native tongue into teantiful French.
 Of Behsnzins three wives one is his | fayorife. of course. the youngest. his is indicated By her ooa- stant presence at his side. and she is | always see7 holding sn umbrella over her regal spouse. She shows her de- l votion. also. by holding for him q small glass dish like a finger bowl. half full Jf ssnd. always ready for such use as . smoker might have for a vessel of this kind This duty is sometimes delegated to one of the ofhpr wives