VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR. I^t 



from a ftate worfe than that of ignorance ? 

 It is to this falutary ftudy we are indebted 

 for the fall of that falfe fyftem of inftruc- 

 tion, which teaches only errors and ahfur- 

 dities* But, in order that we may derive 

 the higheft poffible benefit from this happy 

 change, fear, the daughter of ignorance, and 

 the inexhauftible fource of illufion, muft be 

 expelled from the face of the earth : it muft 

 return to that nothing from which it fprung, 

 for the misfortune of the human race. Has 

 it then fixed its roots fo deep in the mind 

 as to render it impoffible to extirpate them ? 

 Is it thought a matter of fo much difficulty 

 to perfuade favages that great difailers are 

 only a necelTary confequence of the laws of 

 motion? Shall the philofopher dired, at 

 pleafure, by means of conductors, the fire 

 of heaven; {hall he draw down from the 

 clouds^ by the help of eledric kites, the 

 cledric matter which is there concentered ; 



and 



