But, granted that the Armenians in other parts of the Turkish Empire, and even occasionally in Armenia itself, may have earned some popular hatred in this or in other ways, the vast majority of the victims have been,--not usurers, not wealthy merchants,--but industrious artisans, small shopkeepers, cultivators of the soil, with an admixture of the more educated classes, the most envenomed hatred being directed against those in any way connected with religion, whether as Gregorian priests or as Protestant pastors. Skilled craftsmen, who abounded amongst the Armenians, have been so nearly exterminated that some towns are left without a mason, a carpenter, or a shoemaker; in others the Turks have saved a few of these artificers alive, to supply them with the conveniences which they are unable or unwilling to make for themselves. The Armenian character cannot be dismissed with a few hasty generalities. It is doubtful that _any_ national character can be so dismissed; and the higher we rise in the scale of organic development, the more variety we find. "_Ab uno disce omnes_" is an indifferent rule even for the Fijian or the Samoan, but who would apply it to the Englishman or the Frenchman? The Armenian, heir of an old civilization, stands on a plane with the latter, not with the former. The worst Armenians--and naturally they are those oftenest found in foreign countries--show just the faults sure to be engendered in any race, and especially in an astute, intelligent, enterprising race, by centuries of oppression. These are, want of truthfulness and honesty, and greediness of gain. Against these, which may be called the national faults, there are great national virtues to set off--moral purity, sobriety, strong domestic affections, gratitude, fidelity to conviction, industry, and a very remarkable love of learning. The best Armenians--men like Pastor Stepanian--who have cast off the national faults and retain the national virtues, develop a very noble and singularly attractive character; and are besides, in the fullest sense of the word, _gentlemen_. "The wood is fine in grain, and takes the polish easily." This deeply suffering race is not faultless--what race ever was, or is, or will be?--but it is emphatically _worth saving_. And it is STILL in our power to save very many,--starving men,--desolate and hopeless women,--and helpless little children. Should any reader of the foregoing pages desire to bear a hand in this good work--and even those who have little to give may save, or help to save, _one_ woman or _one_ child--they may learn how to do it by communicating with the Association of "Friends of Armenia," 47, Victoria Street, Westminster. FOOTNOTE: [5] The Turks had never succeeded in depriving the mountaineers of this district of all their firearms. Besides, they contrived in some fashion to make arms for themselves. Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London.