History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

264 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS, [CHAP. VI.

Parsis have been the most active participators, and the success which has attended this experiment of local self-government is in no small measure attributable to their public spirit, their persevering industry, their singleness of purpose, and their practical instincts. The first native honoured with the highest position in the civic parliament of the city, the chairmanship of the Corporation, was a Parsi. He was elected Chairman by the suffrages of both Europeans and natives. The same Parsi was also the first native who was appointed Chairman of the Bench of Justices.! A member of the Corporation, Mr. N aorozji Fardunji, is popularly designated “the tribune of the people,” on account of the unflinching integrity and indomitable courage with which he represents in this body the interests of the ratepayers. his popular verdict has been ratified by no less a personage than that keen observer of men and manners Sir Richard Temple, late Governor of Bombay, while others have often termed him in compliment the “Joseph Hume” of the local parliament.

Conspicuous among the many good qualities and virtues for which the Parsis have been remarkable is their benevolence—the spirit which they have inherited from their ancestors, who were distinguished

1 There are about 411 Justices of the Peace for the town and island of Bombay, of whom 206 are Europeans, 88 Hindus, 85 Parsis, and 32 Mahomedans.