142 Dwellings, works of art, laics, Sfc. of the Karens. [No. 3, 



Criminal Law.— Tte general principle of criminal law, which the 

 Karens recognise as just, is exactly the same as the Mosaic. An eye 

 for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. The elders said, « If made blind, 

 take out an eye in return; if the ear is cut off, cut off an ear m 

 return ; if an arm is broken, break an arm in return." 



The elders do not, however, recommend the exaction of these terms. 

 They say again : « In order that we may not subject ourselves to 

 fines and punishment, we must allow others to treat us as they choose. 

 We must humble ourselves ; we must not retaliate. If we are struck, 

 we ought not to strike again. If one grasps the head, grasp the 

 floor ; if one slaps the face, slap the floor. If we are made blind, we 

 must not make blind in return ; if our ears are cut off, we must not 

 cut off the ear in return. The long is before, the short is behind* 

 Loving peace, gives a wide place ; loving evil, gives a narrow space. 

 It is difficult to obtain happiness, easy to get evil. If we want evil, 

 it is at hand before all the water has run out of a vessel that has been 



upset." 



Law of Inheritance.— -The father wills his property to his children : 

 and it is the custom to share it nearly equally among them ; but 

 always giving the eldest son the largest share, and sometimes giving 

 a little more to the youngest than to those between. Nothing is 

 given to the widow, but she is entitled to the use of the property till 



her death. 



When a Karen of property made his will, before letters were intro- 

 duced, he killed an ox, or a buffalo, and made a feast at which every 

 inhabitant of the village was invited to attend. At the feast, he 

 declared his wishes, as to the disposal of his property ; and prayed 

 that the disposition he had made, might be carried out after his death. 

 The mother has no property of her own. If she brought property 

 at her marriage, it became her husband's ; but at her husband's death, 

 she takes his place, the Karens say, and the property is hers to use 

 till her death ; after which, it goes to the children, according to the 

 will of the father. She has no power to make any other disposition 

 of it. 



In the event of a second marriage, the children of a mature age 

 take possession of the property their father left them. The second 

 * That is, the future is long, the past is short. 



