May 1861.] Notes on the Karens. 65 



what are called Christian Karens. No one who has been placed 

 in such a position but will immediately recognize the justice of the 

 illustration. The fact is, the visit is a bore to the Karen, it re- 

 quires some little sacrifice on his part, and this sacrifice he will 

 not make. On the other hand the heathen Burman or Taleing 

 will always receive a stranger with courtesy and hospitality. 



Be the sincerity of the present movement what it may, it is still 

 our duty to persevere : if we cannot make Christians of them, we 

 shall probably humanise them to some extent, and that will be a 

 substantial gain. In all likelihood the best agency to be employ- 

 ed for their improvement, will be that of educated Karens, not 

 every one a man who has been brought up in a Missionary school, 

 but men of shrewdness and respectability, men whose social stand- 

 ing will carry some weight. 



We will conclude this article, which has already been spun out 

 to an inconvenient length, with a few remarks on the population 

 and productions of the country and the policy which ought to be 

 adopted towards the independent tribes beyond our frontier. 



No correct returns of population exist, but it is surmised that 

 the Yoon-tha-lin Karens number about 20,000 souls. 



The staple articles of produce are rice and betel nut. A good 

 deal of cotton is also raised. Teak and other good timbers abound. 

 With regard to minerals, iron and lead are often met with ; but 

 the localities are remote and difficult of access. Beyond our fron- 

 tier, there is an excellent tin mine, so much so that it gives its 

 name to a river, the " Kai-Ma-Pyoo" or Tin river. But it is very 

 doubtful whether any of these metal will be worked in our times ; 

 the population is too scanty, the position too remote and the cli- 

 mate too unhealthy. 



It is not likely that we shall extend our N. E. frontier beyond 

 its present limits ; we have nothing to gain by annexing vast re- 

 gions of jungle thinly inhabited by savages. 



But on the other hand a vigilant and firm policy should be ex- 

 ercised towards there petty independent tribes. Every insult 

 should be avenged, and every wrong committed against our sub- 

 jects redressed ; by such means alone can we insure safety to life 

 and property. We must make our name feared by those people, 



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