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

306 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP. VI.

society mentioned. The most energetic of the educated Parsis never allowed any opportunity to be lost of sifting and bringing prominently forward the question of female education, and of impressing its advantages on the people.

Still nothing had practically been done beyond some effort made by an individual husband or father to teach his wife or daughter. To the society we have named the Parsis of Bombay are indebted for a systematic scheme for the education of their daughters. Numerous essays, which were read on this much-discussed subject, had prepared the minds of the public for action ; and the last of them came when every one was eager, if not ready, to commence the good work.1 The evening on which this essay was read may be deemed the proudest in the history of the Students’ Literary and Scientific Society. When the reading was concluded the members present proceeded to the consideration of the necessary measures for the consummation of their longcherished desires.

They rightly thought that there had been sufti-

1 ‘*Beramji Kharshedji Ghandhi’s essay came in proper time. It was brimful of enthusiasm. His earnest appeal—accompanied, in the impressive Oriental style, with a prayer to the Almighty—to do some-

thing met with a hearty response. ‘Let every student here present use his influence with the members of his own family to get one pupil

at least.’ ‘Yes, responded scores of voices. ‘Let us teach the schools ourselves, and show that we are in earnest.’ ‘Yes! yes!’ exclaimed all.”—Report of the Students’ Literary and Scientific Society for 1854-55.