l6 TTOYAGE TO MADAGASCA'R. 



under to fome truths, which were unknown 

 to your anceftors. You are indebted to 

 them for the rapid progrefs you have made 

 in the mathematical fcienccd^ and the ufeful 

 arts. 



The improvement of the rational faculties 

 has an influence on human happinefs, which 

 the moft refined fophiftry cannot deftroy. 

 Knowledge afterwards is fufceptible only of 

 increafe ; and man becomes happier and 

 better in proportion as he is enlightened : 

 for what fyftem is more falfe or dangerous, 

 than that which is founded upon a contrary 

 principle ? Can it be denied, that a proper 

 education, given with care to fome young 

 Melegaches, who might be fent back to their 

 own country when they had acquired a 

 perfe^ knowledge of our induftry and ma- 

 nufactures, would be of great fervice to that 

 cxtenfive ifland ? But that this fervice might 

 be complete, thefe young iflanders ought to 

 3 be 



