86 VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR. 



in 1 776 J and it was in 1 761, that the Uiik^ 

 the veflel in which they had embarked, was 

 wrecked on this dangerous find-bank, fitu- 

 atcd to the eaft of Madagafcar, under the 

 fifteenth degree of latitude* This ifland, 

 the greateft elevation of which above the 

 level of the fea does not exceed fifteen feet, 

 is abfolutely barren. Its furface contains 

 about one hundred and fifty acres 5 and it 

 affords not the fmalleft fhelter from the 

 fcorching fun of the torrid zone. 



But though thefe defer t and uninhabited 

 countries fhould not, always, anfwer thofe 

 views of utility, which ought to be pro- 

 pofed by fuch banifhment, we cannot rea- 

 fonably entertain any dread of hurting large 

 countries, inhabited by fcaUered tribes of 

 favages, deftitute of knowledge and induftry, 

 by leaving among them fuch criminals as 

 merit the moll indulgence, when they culti- 

 vate ufeful artSi 



Thofe 



