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

292 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP. VI.

converted. The Parsi community, which had always staked everything for its religion, became exceedingly excited, and various rumours were circulated in the English newspapers of the day of an intended outbreak amongst its members. However excited they may have been, such an idea never really entered their minds. So anxious were they to preserve their good name and character as law-abiding subjects that the Parsi leaders made a communication to Government upon the subject, which we

insert below,’ showing how desirous the Parsis have

1 «Tt is with the deepest concern and with the most painful feelings that we have perused the outrageous attacks, lately made in the public prints of this place on the whole native population, but especially against the Parsi community and the members of their Panchayet, in consequence of the excited state of public feeling relative to the conversion of two Parsi boys to the Christian faith. In these papers we have been accused of inciting others to a breach of the peace, and of the intention of forcibly getting possession of the boys with the ulterior object of sending them to Navsari and there terminating their existence. Nothing can be more scandalous and false, and we beg that you will immediately bring to the notice of the Honourable the Governor in Council that every measure of precaution has been taken by, and especially by the most influential, members of the Parsi community to preserve the public peace and to soothe down the justly irritated feelings of the people. One of our body and one of Her Majesty’s Justices of the Peace personally waited upon the Superintendent of Police yesterday evening, and requested that every means might be taken to prevent any disturbance, and the Panchayet are at the very time this letter is being written giving public notice throughout the town calling upon all welldisposed persons to aid in this much-desired object. We have further to request that you will bring to the notice of the Honourable Board that we have every reason to believe that the missionaries themselves are the authors of some of the disgraceful paragraphs