61 
abroad, round the coasts of Africa; from whence, 
supposing them to possess the art of ship-building, 
they might easily transport themselves to Madagascar. 
Their colour, which is similar to that of the Egyptians 
and Abyssinians, renders it evident, that they came 
from Africa; and the vicinity of the island to the coast 
of that quarter of the globe, rather than to any other, 
puts the matter out of doubt; while the foregoing 
arguments render it extremely probable, that their 
arrival took place at a very remote period, long before 
the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt, or any of the 
polished nations of antiquity were in existence.* 
These are the opinions on this interesting subject, 
which we have considered as most worthy of notice. 
And if we admit the latter to be correct, what reflec¬ 
tions does the situation of these poor islanders suggest 
to the mind of a Christian ! We are here introduced 
to a race of men, who, for nearly four thousand years, 
have been separated from the rest of the world, and 
shut up in a state of mental darkness and ignorance; 
* To the foregoing opinion, the writer would beg leave to 
add a suggestion on the subject; namely, whether the Made- 
gasses do not owe their descent to two sources ? Is it not 
probable, that while those of an olive complexion, who con¬ 
stitute the bulk of the population, may have descended from 
the family of Ham, those denominated “ the descendants of 
Abraham” were actually his children, descended collaterally 
with the others; and having arrived at the island at the same 
period, separated, as was usual at that early age, in order to 
constitute different tribes ? It is with this impression the writer 
has ventured to separate them in this chapter. 
