HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
137 
during the most extensive and beneficial effects, in exciting 
the long dormant energies of the native mind. Many, in 
an exceedingly short space of time, hav.e been able to read 
their own language with correctness and fluency; while 
others in the more advanced state of their education have 
advanced with equal rapidity. 
The moral qualities of the Malagasy are less equivocal 
than their mental characteristics, and far more censurable and 
injurious. With less that is sprightly and prepossessing in 
manners and address, the dark-coloured tribes possess more 
that is commendable and amiable in social life; and there 
are among them more straightforwardness and honesty than 
in the fairer races. The latter, with the exception of the 
Betsileo, exhibit, with but few traits of character that can 
be regarded with complacency, much that is offensive to 
every feeling of purity and every principle of virtue. They 
are often, probably under the influence of superstition and 
revenge, coolly and deliberately cruel towards their van¬ 
quished in war; they appear to be naturally vain, self-compla¬ 
cent, and indolent, unless when roused to effort by ambition, 
avarice, revenge, or lust: ambition and a love of domination 
appear inherent. They exhibit also a strong inclination, 
where they possess the means, to indulge in those gratifi¬ 
cations which are the usual attendants on indolence, viz. 
gluttony and intemperance. From the debasing habits 
of inebriety the population of Ankova are restrained by the 
enforcement of laws which make intoxication a capital 
crime; but if free from the restraint these laws impose, 
it is supposed no people would surrender themselves more 
completely to this humiliating vice than the Hovas. 
Their sensuality is universal and gross, though generally 
concealed: continence is not supposed to exist in either 
