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

CHAP. V.] SHARP MEASURES. 235

ee ee tially dealt out even-handed justice to all, its acts commanded the respect and obedience of the people. But the Panchayet began very soon to decay from the old cause, viz. the seats of the originally elected

months after the death of any male or female member thereof, and when assembled to cry, and beat their breasts, and bemoan their loss. They were also in the habit of keeping fast, and denying themselves beds to lie upon, in order to indicate their excess in grief on such oceasions, This being forbidden by the Parsi religion, and found also to be injurious in the extreme to the health of those who indulged in such displays of their feelings, the late Panchayet most humanely ordained that such practice should be checked as much as possible, and that on the death of any infant the meeting of the women should be as short as possible; on that of children from one to seven years of age, they should meet but for three days ; and on the death of any one above that age, to meet ten days, and ten days only.”

Mr. Manakji Kharshedji then goes on to state—

“Tt so happened that, shortly after the passing of the aforesaid regulations, one of the sisters of Hormasji Bamanji Wadia (then the most distinguished and influential gentleman among the Parsi community, and one of the leading members of their Panchayet) transgressed one of the said regulations by sending round dressed dinners from her house to her relations.

« Ags soon as the information of this circumstance reached another member of the late Panchayet, he directed his informer to seize upon the pots and dishes containing such dinner, even if in the most conspicuous part of the town, which was accordingly done; and the pots and dishes were sequestrated by the said member of the Panchayet, who collected a number of indigent Parsis together in his church, where they were allowed to feast upon the dainties seized as above mentioned.

“The said member of the Panchayet, after having thus acted, intimated to the said Hormasji Bamanji Wadia what he had done, which was nothing more nor less than his duty to the Panchayet; and he now called upon his distinguished friend and colleague, the said Hormasji, to do his also, by causing a general assembly, and making an example of her who had thus disregarded the Panchayet’s order, although so intimately connected with him.

“And be it said, to the credit of the said Hormasji Bamanji Wadia, that, however exalted he was in rank among the Parsis, far from taking