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

CHAP. VI.] ZWO PROMINENT INSTANCES. 269

Hospitals, dispensaries, educational institutions, “dharmshalas,” roads, bridges, tanks, wells, and drinking fountains, as lasting monuments of Parsi generosity and munificence. These works display the broad and intelligent character of the Parsimind. The Dadiseths, the Banajis, the Wadias, the Patels, the Readymoneys, the Vikaji Merjis, the Pandays, the Kamas, the Petits, and the Jamshedji Jijibhais, and a host of others who could be mentioned, made their names immortal in Western India, and spread their fame in all parts of the world by their charity and munificence. Hardly a year passes in which some generous Parsi in Bombay does not come forward to perform a work of public generosity. We make no apology for mentioning here two prominent instances which have occurred only within the last few months, viz. those of Mr. Pestanji Hormasji Kama and Mr. Sorabji Shapurji Bengali. These gentlemen cannot be said to be very wealthy, yet the character of their benevolence shows the largeness of their hearts, The women of India have been kept by social usage and customs existing for centuries from the gaze of man, and they naturally and voluntarily shrink from his presence. Hence thousands of them prefer to die rather than allow themselves to be treated by a male doctor, particularly in those cases in which personal examination is necessary. It was therefore a most happy idea of two citizens of Bombay, Messrs.