The Author of the following pages is sensible that the practice of writing a long Preface is obsolete, and would gladly avail himself of the example of most modern writers in this respect; but the novelty of the subject, and the nature of the information contained in his Work, render it necessary for him to give some account of the authorities from which it is derived.<br><br>The principal original Works which he has had occasion to consult in the compilation, are, Flacourt's History of Madagascar; M. de V.'s Voyage to Madagascar; Voyages of the Dutch East-India Company; Drury's Narrative; Rochon's Voyage; Benyowsky's Memoirs; Wadstrom's Essay on Colonization; and the Missionary Accounts. Many others have been consulted; but as the above contain the body of information, he thinks it necessary to speak particularly of them only.