HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
129 
security, they surrender themselves to a state of compara¬ 
tive indolence; and become the too-willing victims of the 
delusions by which their race are more strongly spell¬ 
bound than most of the other natives of Madagascar— 
charms, divination, and sorcery. 
Towards Europeans, the Sakalavas have generally che¬ 
rished sentiments of friendship, entertaining an exalted 
opinion of their superiority. And though themselves 
degraded at present by their childish superstitions, by their 
faith in witchcraft and all its endless absurdities, they yet 
exhibit ample proofs of mental powers capable, under 
proper culture, of the highest attainments : if enriched with 
the means of intellectual and moral improvement, they will, 
in all probability, rise, as others, once as dark, deluded, 
and degraded as they are, have emerged from barbarism, 
and attained eminence and moral worth among the nations. 
There is something in the very appearance of the Sakalava 
in his favour. His manly air and gait, his full countenance 
and penetrating look, declare him destined to something 
higher and nobler than he has yet attained. In ordinary 
intercourse, the Sakalavas discover much shrewdness, with 
less of cunning or deceit than many of their neighbours. 
The Betsileo, a term signifying invincible , form a third 
distinct race in Madagascar; and though in some respects 
they resemble their neighbours and conquerors, the Hovas, 
in others they are distinct. They are generally low in 
stature, slender in figure, erect, and nimble in their 
movements; their colour is occasionally light copper, though 
frequently dark; their lips are thick, the eyes hazel, and 
their hair black, long, and curling. In these respects they 
approximate to the Hovas; but, in their patriarchal mode 
of life, modest unassuming address, the absence of any 
thing like a bold and martial bearing in aspect or beha- 
i. 
K 
