* 



0 



VOTAGE TO MADAGASCAR. 237 



in view, that of tracing out a flight Iketch 

 of the charader and extraordinary cuftomg 

 of thefe people. 



This fliort defcription will be fufficient to 

 fuch readers as wifh rather for inftmdion, 

 than to amufe themfelves with all the child liK 

 conceits with which the moft ferious deli- 

 berations are often accompanied, not only 

 in Madagafcar, but in more civilifed coun- 

 tries. 



Rabefin had the talent of being able to 

 change the features of his face at pleafure : 

 his words, which always correfponded with 

 his geftures, alTumcd the appearance of fin- 

 cerity ; and he was no ftrangcr to the art 

 of moving minds the leaft fufceptible of en* 

 thufiafm, and of enfiaming the leaft iraf- 



cible* 



Is it not furprifing, that a favage fhould 

 poflefs, in fo eminent a degree, this art of 

 deception, which the orators of civilifed na- 

 tions 



