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

CHAP. VL] JMOUNTSTUART ELPHINSTONE. 283

cultivation of the intellect and for the development of the understanding of the people soon grew into a tree, and the precious fruit which it began to yield from the very commencement was recognised as a benefit, making the further development of the human understanding most desirable.

An opportunity for the fulfilment of their wishes soon presented itself, for on the retirement of Mountstuart Elphinstone from the Governorship of Bombay the natives of the island, among whom the Parsis took a prominent part, subscribed a large sum of money towards a fund for the establishment and maintenance of a college for the education of their countrymen in the higher branches of European science and literature. With this institution they resolved to permanently associate the name of Elphinstone, in commemoration of the very valuable and praiseworthy efforts in their behalf of that great and good man.

We cannot do better than quote here that part of the address presented by the rajas, chiefs, and people of the Bombay Presidency to this benefactor of Western India on his retirement from power, which recognised the incalculable benefits he had conferred upon the people by his encouragement of education, and in gratitude for which they desired in this way to commemorate his name in India, After

expressing their admiration, appreciation, and grati-