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

286 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. VI.

that the time has arrived when without a sound and liberal English education no Parsi can hold his own, whatever may be his position without it by reason of birth or wealth. The poorest of the community also participate in the benefits of education. In this connection it is right to give prominent notice to a noble institution, the name of which will be familiar to those who have been in Bombay, and indeed to those also who have watched from a distance the progress of education in this Presidency. We allude to the Sir Jamshedji Jijibhai Parsi Benevolent Institution, which was founded by a Parsi; and as it is maintained and managed exclusively by Parsis for their own race, a short account of its origin and objects will not be uninteresting to the reader.

In the year 1842, when Sir Jamshedji Jijibhai was raised to the dignity of knighthood, the Parsis were highly gratified at the mark of honour bestowed upon one of their number. They considered it their paramount duty to offer publicly their sincere congratulations to the man who had, by his well-known public spirit and generous application of the means placed by Providence at his disposal, not only earned honour for himself but reflected credit on the race of which he was a member.

The Parsis accordingly presented a handsome testimonial to Sir Jamshedji accompanied by an address,

in which they said :—