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

174 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP, IV,

As a description of the marriage ceremony of the Parsis is likely to be interesting to the European reader, the writer feels that no apology is necessary for his entering minutely into its details. Some of the priests who are well acquainted with a large number of families follow the profession of matchmakers. Having made due inquiries into the position of the families possessing marriageable daughters, they go amongst those who have sons wishing to take upon themselves the estate of matrimony, and make it their endeavour to arrange marriages between the two. In a few cases the parents of the boy or eirl commission some of these match-making priests to find out a suitable parti for their children. The parents or guardians of the boy institute inquiries as to whether the parents of the girl mentioned are respectable persons. On being satisfied of this, the priest’s recommendation is favourably received, and direct communication is opened with the parents of the girl by requesting them to lend for a day or two the horoscope or birth-paper of the maiden in order that the astrologer may be consulted as to the eligibility or otherwise of the match. The horoscope of the boy, as well as that of the girl, is then handed over to the professor of astrology in order that he may examine whether the “stars” of the proposed pair are in harmony and whether they are likely to prosper. Much depends on the answer of