VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR* 43 



the government and yoke of thefe conquer-. 

 ors, who have laid it wafte, and infeQed 

 it with Mahometan pradices. 



The Malegaches fubmit to the Rhoan- 

 drians only as free fubjedts. They change 

 their chiefs atpleafcre ; and they can attach 

 themfelves to any one whom they think ca- 

 pable of fecuring to them happinefs and 

 tranquillity. Thefe iflanders are too brave 

 to crouch under a burthenlbme yoke ; but 

 their extreme creduUty is, without doubt, 

 very prejudicial to their liberty, and to the 

 fuccefs of their enterprifcs. 



How is it poffible that thefe people, in- 

 volved in the darknefs of ignorance, can 

 defend themfelves againft the deception of 

 the Ombiaffes, when the moft enlightened 

 nations are ftill every day dupes to quacks 

 and impoftors ? It would appear as if it were 

 neceflary that man fhould fuffer himfelf to 

 be fubjeded by chimeras, Reafon is feldom 

 I ever 



