ch
interested in their success."

CHAPTER XIII.

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MRS. BOARDMAN AND THE SUPERINTENDENT.--HER TOURS
AMONG THE KARENS.--HER PERSONAL APPEARANCE.--HER ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE
BURMAN LANGUAGE.--DR. JUDSON'S TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE.

An interesting letter from the gentleman mentioned at the close of the
last chapter, with Mrs. Boardman's reply, we will give entire, as they
exhibit at once her firmness of principle, and the high respect she
commanded from the European residents in the country.

"Tavoy, Aug. 24, 1833.

"My dear Sir,

"Mr. Mason has handed me for perusal, the extract from your letter
to Government, which you kindly sent him. I apprehend I have
hitherto had wrong impressions in reference to the ground on which
the Honorable Company patronize schools in their territories; and I
hope you will allow me to say, that it would not accord with my
feelings and sentiments, to banish religious instruction from the
schools under my care. I think it desirable for the rising
generation of this Province, to become acquainted with useful
science; and the male part of the population, with the English
language. But it is infinitely more important that they receive
into their hearts our holy religion, which is the source of so much
happiness in this state, and imparts the hope of a glorious
immortality in the world to come. Parents and guardians must know
that there is more or less danger of their children deserting the
faith of their ancestors, if placed under the care of a Foreign
Missionary; and the example of some of the pupils is calculated to
increase such apprehensions. Mr. Boardman baptized into the
Christian religion several of his scholars. One of the number is
now a devoted preacher; and notwithstanding the decease of their
beloved and revered teacher, they all, with one unhappy exception,
remain firm in the Christian faith.

"The success of the Hindoo College, where religious instruction was
interdicted, may perhaps be urged in favor of pursuing a similar
course in schools here. But it strikes me, that the case is
different here, even admitting _their_ course to be right. The
overthrow of a system so replete with cruel and impure rites, as
the Hindoo, or so degrading as the Mahometan, _might_ be