STORY OF THE FRENCH CAMPAIGN. • It is now nearly a year (writes the special correspondent of the * Westminster Gazette') since the French flag was hauled down in I the capital city of Madagascar. The efforts of M. De Vilers, the plenipotentiary sent out by the French Republic to come to : terms with the Native Government, having proved futile, ho left Antananativo on Saturday, October £7. Little noiice of the intentions of France was taken) apparently, by the Government and people of Mada gascar. Afonths went by before any prepa rations were made, so far as appeared j to meet the threatened invasion. The people at largo could not believe in the possibility of a foreign foe making its way up to the central highlands, and they trusted that their incomparable "hundred thousand)" armed with European weapons, and aided by fever, would be more than able to keep back the invaders. Their quiet confidence on the one hand, and indifference to the issues at stake on the other, have been the astonishment of Europeans resident among them. Till within a w«ek of the arrival of the French at the gates of their city, the inhabitants have pursued the even tenor of their way very much as if no foreign soldier had ever set foot on their shores. THE WONDER OF THE FRENCH CAVALRY. It seemed a long time after the rejection of the ultimatum before we heard from Europe that the expedition was really on its way. Then after news came of its landing at Mojanga months seemed to go by before it moved inland. Again, when it had traversed the flat lands which extend half way to the capital, and reached Mdvatan.ina, we still waited long for any news of its con tinued advance. The people still clung to their idea of the utter impossibility of its Caching the capital. The Government, however, began to bestir themselves, and sent down several separate forces to impede the enemy and cut off their supplies. It is from this halfway point, where apparently the whole make-up of the French expedition Was overhauled and put upon a really effec tive footing, that steady and fairly rapid way has been made. Thence but a few days' run for Government messengers, news arrived frequently, and always to the same effect: the French were advancing) the Malagasy retreating before them. 