64 



Notes on the Karens. [No. 11, new series. 



ed by the Karens. As far as the writer understands the Karen 

 character, what they wish for is this, that they should remain un- 

 visited in their mountain homes by any one, go where they like 

 and pay no tax. Frequently has the writer in conversing with 

 more civilized Karens, meaning thereby those who mix with their 

 fellow-men of other races, asked them, what could have been the 

 motive why their countrymen have acted in so deceitful or so tor- 

 tuous a manner, the reply invariably has been " Why ! He is 

 a Karen" : volumes of vituperation could not have said a bitterer 

 thing than this reflection implies. 



We have been thus particular in attempting to delineate the 

 leading features of Karen character, inasmuch as a mistaken no- 

 tion has got abroad regarding it. The prevailing idea is that the 

 Karen is a fine, open-hearted, manly mountaineer, hitherto oppress- 

 ed by other races, but burning to be free, ready to embrace Christi- 

 anity, and awaiting with a throbbing heart the advent of a 

 Christian teacher. We have no hesitation in saying that we place 

 very little reliance on the accuracy of this pleasing picture. Far 

 be it from us to disparage in any way the noble work of the Ame- 

 rican Baptist Missionaries, who are and have been labouring 

 amongst these benighted heathens. They are worthy of all ho- 

 nour ; their opinion is entitled to every respect ; but the wholesale 

 assumption of Christianty which has been attributed to whole 

 tribes of Karens, involving as it does no real sacrifice on their part, 

 should be received with caution ; and until it produces some sub- 

 stantial fruit, the writer will be at least doubtful of its vitality. 



The Missionary movement has taken place in the Toung-oo dis- 

 trict principally; hitherto little or nothing has been attempted 

 amongst the Sgau Karens of the Yoon-tha-lin. It may perhaps 

 therefore be argued that the writer is passing judgment on a state 

 of things which has not come under his immediate observation, 

 and that what may hold good with the Yoon-tha-lin need not apply 

 elsewhere. To a certain extent this is true. Bat that his view is 

 not altogether erroneous may be gathered from the following in- 

 stances—Let any man, see an English Officer travelling about, 

 go to any Karen village either in Pegu or the Toung-oo district 

 and he will be received with an amount of churlishness and direct 

 insolence that he will not forget in a hurry, and this too amongst 



