Show queens annual bath once a year the queen of madagascar bathea in public in the presence of as many of her subjects as can crowd into the palace courtyard in former years she was wont to descend the marble steps innocent of raiment but bince the advent of whites she wears a loose robe aind disappears behind a screen hero the ablutions are performed amid much splashing the screen was introduced to satisfy the missionaries when the queen emerges from behind the screen her complexion is at least three shades lightnr than before then all the loyal subjects shout and tailing it for granted that the queen has bathed they disperse to their homes and do likewise after the annual babli they all feel uncomfortable for table but a few days suffice to make them feel and look natural again and all goes well |