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

274 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP. VI.

they had equal justice even with the people of the governing race; bearing all this in mind, they find when they reflect upon their present prosperous condition, and inquire into its causes, abundant reasons to pray that the sovereignty, which the Almighty God in the wise dispensation of His providence has been pleased to place over them, may be for ever preserved.

Whenever fitting opportunities have occurred, the Parsis have not forgotten or neglected to show their love towards their rulers. When the British Government appointed a day of humiliation and prayer for the speedy restoration of peace and for the success of the arms of England and France during the war with Russia, the Parsis showed themselves the most worthy subjects of the British Crown. In a highly loyal spirit they made arrangements for the obseryance of that day according to the invitation of their much-respected Government. No fewer than 6,000 of their race met together in one of the fire-temples, for the purpose of offering up prayers for the success of the Allied Powers and the restoration of peace. In the following prayer, which was prepared for the occasion, the rich and the poor joined alike with heart and soul :—

“I offer my prayer to Thee, O glorious and exalted God, that the Sovereign of this realm may gain the victory with honour and triumph in the war. May