18 68.] Dwellings, works of art, laws, Sfc. of the Karens. 143 



husband is not allowed to appropriate to himself an}' part of the 

 property of the first husband ; nor can the children of the second 

 marriage share in it, though in the case of minors it may remain in 

 the mother's hands. 



61. Lawgiver.— No tradition of any legislator, or lawgiver has 

 been found. The Karens ascribe all their laws, and instructions, to the 

 elders of preceding generations, and have no idea of any period when 

 they did not exist. 



62. Change of Laws.— The Karens never make any alterations in 

 their laws, or regulations, for the government of their country. They 

 seem to think that everything of the kind has come down to them 

 from the ancients in a state of perfection, requiring neither addition 

 nor alteration. 



63. Observance of their laws.— In respect to the observance of 

 their laws, or the instructions of their elders, very little can be said 

 in favour of those who have not come under the influence of Christiani- 

 ty ; and many that worship with Christians are Christians in name 

 only. 



The truth can be obtained from a Karen much readier than from a 

 Burman, because he is much less artful ; not that he has any more 

 regard for the commands of the elders than the Burman has for the 

 commands of Gaudamaa. I have never yet met with a Karen, in the 

 church or out of it, that when heliad committed a wrong, would not 

 tell a falsehood to cover it. They have no regard to their engagements 

 or promises. What a Karen says he will not do to-day ; under a change 

 of circumstances, he will do to-morrow, and seem to think it all right. 

 He has changed his mind, he says, and that is sufficient. 



They have no idea of suffering for truth and righteousness. If their 

 leaders or associates do what is confessedly wrong ; they think it quite 

 excusable to go with the multitude. They join themselves to forays, 

 in which they are not concerned, and think they do no wrong, 

 however unjust the attack, because they were hired by others, with 

 whom, they deem, the guilt of their robbery or murder rests. 



Theft among themselves is usually discovered and severely punished, 

 so the people are ordinarily honest ; but they have no conscience 

 about abstracting small articles when they are not likely to be 

 discovered. 



