HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
135 
lence, and vice by which the other is degraded and 
destroyed. And though the lineaments of their character 
shew, with affecting distinctness, how largely they have 
shared in the calamities which sin has inflicted on our race, 
a knowledge of this will not diminish our concern for their 
welfare, nor repress our desires to become more intimately 
acquainted with their circumstances. 
In order to a correct view of the Malagasy, some 
account of their mental and moral qualities is neces¬ 
sary. In noticing these, we observe, that the intellectual 
powers of the Malagasy are not inferior to their physical 
qualities. Their mental faculties, though, in the ma¬ 
jority of cases, deteriorated by sensuality, enfeebled and 
cramped in their exercise by the juggleries of divination 
and sorcery and the absurdities of superstition, are yet 
such as to warrant the conclusion, that they are not inferior 
to other portions of the human race—that if liberated from 
the debasing trammels by which they are now confined, 
and favoured with enlightened and generous culture, they 
are capable of high mental excellence. 
Among the dark-coloured race, the Sakalavas manifest 
the greatest intellectual vigour, uniting a remarkable 
quickness of perception with soundness of judgment; 
but we are not so well acquainted with any of these as 
with the fairer portion of the inhabitants, especially the 
Hovas, and to them, chiefly, our observations refer. Their 
mode of thinking, as described by Mr. Baker, who was for 
many years connected with the Mission at the capital, is 
generally clear, definite, and consecutive; often prolix in 
introducing a thought, but distinct and pointed in exhibit¬ 
ing the thought itself; shrewd and ready in argument or 
dispute, frequently enforcing their opinions with perspi¬ 
cuity, order, and confidence. Like all uncivilized nations. 
