VOYAGE TO MAD^VGASCAR. Si 



■when, by a general fubverliou of every prin- 

 ciple and rule, the apparent profperity of a 

 vicious man leduces and mlfleads thofe un- 

 happy wretches who expiate, by punifli- 

 ments capable of ftriking fear and terror 

 into the bofom of a cannibal, crimes that ars 

 the fruit of a fatal delufion from w^hich edu- 

 cation could not fecure them. What enlight- 

 ened man is there who, pofTeffing the leaft 

 fentiment of humanity or juftice, is not 

 moved w^ith compalTion for thofe melan- 

 choly vidims of that depravation j which 

 prevails among nnnierous bodies of people, 

 when the laws by which they are governed 

 are neither framed with wufdom nor have 

 that force which is necelTary to prefctve good 

 order ? In fuch cafes, can a virtuous judge 

 in the bottom of his heart be as unfeeling 

 as the law ; and even when he condemns 

 the guilty, docs not his reafon reproach him 

 with his fc verity ? Let us open our prifons, 

 G and 



