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

CHAP. III.] PARST HUSBANDS. 131

just like the ladies of the Western world. They freely accompany their husbands and other male relatives, and walk and drive out with them as best suits their own tastes and habits without exciting any objection or remark, ‘Thirty or forty years ago the ceremony of laying a foundation stone or the opening of any public institution would have been a mystery to Parsi ladies, but now there is no public occasion, whether it be the landing of a new governor or a viceroy, or of a prince or princess of the blood royal, or the opening of any public institution, at which Parsi ladies are not only conspicuous by their presence, but at which they do not also lend an additional charm and grace to the assembly by their comely faces and the elegant dresses of a variety of colours in which they array themselves.

Half a century ago Parsi ladies of the middle and better classes were seldom seen on foot, but in this also a oreat change has taken place in recent years. Since the reclamation of Back Bay in Bombay hundreds of the Parsi fair sex can be seen every evening promenading there and enjoying the pure sea-breeze.

A word now about the men. Parsi husbands in all conditions of life are generally kind to their wives. Cases of ill treatment are very rare indeed, and still more seldom brought before the police courts, as is only too common among the other races of the popu-

lation. A little scolding and some rough treatment