3-077-909 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Market for Manchester goods, Antananarivo, Madagascar, 1890. Sketch 'of the city of Antananarivo, the capital of the Hova Kingdom...furnished by Mrs. James Procter, to whom we owe several interesting contributions. The market-place of a native people is everywhere an instructive spectacle; and the progress of civilisation among the most advanced nation of the "Malagasy," especially in this town of 80,000 or 90,000 inhabitants, is evinced by the demand for articles of household and personal comfort, and by the improvement of their useful industries. Cotton, silk, flax, and hemp are largely cultivated and woven into textile fabrics which are cheap, durable, and sometimes highly ornamental. Iron is skilfully worked, and Madagascar cutlery is offered for sale; boots and shoes are made of the hides of their oxen. There is, however, a considerable import of English and American calico and sheeting. The money currency is peculiar, the French dollar, or five-franc piece, being cut up...into small pieces of silver, which have to be weighed for payment, causing much inconvenience. Much trade is carried on...by the Banyans..., [Indian commercial class, subjects of the British Empire], who return to Bombay or Madras when they have made their fortunes'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.