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

96 AISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. III.

daring in entering on new fields of occupation than any other race in Bombay with the exception of Europeans, and therefore a considerable number seek adventurous fortunes in many distant countries. Were this not the case the increase of the population would be seen to have been far greater than is shown by the census returns of Bombay alone.

The low average mortality for some years of the Parsi population indicates the material prosperity of their condition, and the attention paid to the comfort and cleanliness of their homes. So much is this the case that it would almost appear as if the excellent sanitary precautions of the Zoroastrian prophet were being indirectly and unwittingly followed. The highest proportion of children in any class in Bombay under one year of age is found in the Parsi population. Among them children under one year of age have increased from 1,177 in 1872 to 1,989 in 1881.

A large proportion of children and a small deathrate are by universal admission the surest evidences of the vitality of any race. From an examination of the mortuary returns of Bombay we also find that the Parsi population is distinguished by the lowest mortality.’

1 The average death-rate of two years (1881 and 1882) per thouJains, sand of the population among the several races was as follows : 54:47; Brahmans, 20°4; Lingaets, 35°98 ; Bhattias, 29-94 ; Hindus of other castes, 26°11 ; Hindu low castes, 33°6 ; Mussulmans, 30°46 ; Europeans, 20°18 ; Parsis, 19°26.