VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR. 189 



fatal effcds of their deftru^live purfuits. 

 Thefe corrupted men, flaves to prejudices, 

 the abfurdity of which is hid merely by the 

 fplendor that furrounds them^ fubftitute 

 contempt for the love of humanity. Reafoa 

 deferred, has no influence over their adions. 

 With a deceitful outfide, eafy manners, an 

 apparent fenfibility, and a fcrupulous atten- 

 tion to follow faJhions, cuftoms, and opini- 

 ons, one may attempt every thing in fociety; 

 one may fuccefsfully attack whatever is held 

 moft facred among mmy and become an 

 advocate for debauchery, luxury, and fla- 

 vor y. Who, for example, has not repeat- 

 edly heard in company, thofe detellable 

 fophifms which change, as we may fay, the 

 moft deftrudivc vices and prejudices into 

 virtues? Such weak minds and corrupted 

 hearts are certainly for ever excluded from 

 the fan^uary of true philofophy. The fa- 



vage is much lefs diflant from it than they* 



He 



