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BIRMAH. 129
heathenism. Several missionaries had previously made
attempts to reside there, but had been discouraged,
and had abandoned the enterprise. Too warm praise
cannot be bestowed on the signal patience, constancy,
and cheerfulness with which, year after year, they con-
tinued to prosecute their silent labours, conciliating by
their manners the esteem of the natives, but without
attempting any direct attack on their prejudices. That
they should have remained so long in this unprotected
situation, without suffering either depredation or in-
sult, must be admitted, however, to be greatly to the
credit of the people, and a proof of their mild and tole-
rant character.
A few detached extracts from Mrs. Judson's Journal
will supply some interesting illustrations of the man-
ners and customs of the inhabitants of Rangoon.
1813. " Our home is in the mission-house built by
the English Baptist Society, on the first arrival of
Messrs. Chater and Carey* in this country. It is
large and convenient, situated in a rural place, about
half a mile from the walls of the town.f We have
gardens enclosed, containing about two acres of ground,
full of fruit trees of various kinds. In the dry season,
our situation is very agreeable. We often enjoy a
pleasant walk within our own enclosure, or in some of
the adjoining villages.
"As it respects our food, we are much better circumstanced
than we expected. We have no bread,
* The son of the venerable Dr. Carey, of Serampore. Mr.
Carey married a Birman lady of European extraction, who, to-
gether with their two children, was drowned in ascending the
Irrawaddy, through the upsetting of the boat. Mr. Carey narrowly
escaped.
t They subsequently found it advisable to remove to a house
in the town.