THE QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR.
[To ram EDITOR OF THS "SPECTATOR.") Ern,—During the twenty-four years of my residence in Antananarivo, I have been a regular reader of the Spectator. I have always been struck with your fairness in being willing to insert communications in correction of any statements made in your paper that are thought to be incorrect. May I therefore ask your usual courtesy with regard to a statement in the Spectator of August 13th, which has just arrived here. In that number, quoting from the Antananarivo corre- spondent of the Times, the statement is made that the 4' Queen and courtiers take to gambling of the most reckless description." I am able to give this the most positive con- tradiction. For many years now there has been no gambling in the presence of the Qaeen, and it has been strictly for- bidden in the Royal Palace. I am perfectly sure that you will do justice to the Christian lady who is still Queen of Madagascar, by inserting this letter. There is another re- mark in the same paper I should like to notice. You say in one paragraph that "savages are sometimes fantastic," —the inference being that the Hovas are savages. Now, such a statement could be made by no one who knows the floras and what manner of people they are. May I give you one fact ? A friend of mine and fellow-missionary was recently visiting the churches in the country district under his care in this province of Jenerione. At one place he came to he found one of the coloured troops brought over in the French Expedition. He was taken ill and unable to keep up with his regiment, and so remained behind at this village. When my friend arrived there, he found that this poor fellow was being taken care of, fed and nursed, by the members of the Christian Endeavour Society of the place. Where do the
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