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

284 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [(CHAP. VI.

tude for the many solid advantages his enlightened administration had secured for the people, they said :—

“But permit us, sir, to acquaint you that, in order to evince that we are ourselves fully persuaded that no amelioration can be of more incalculable benefits to this country than the diffusion among our children and countrymen of that extensive knowledge, those noble modes of thinking, those wise and liberal principles of government, and those sublime views of moral rectitude by which the British are so eminently distinguished, we have determined to raise a subscription among ourselves, which at the present moment amounts to two lakhs and fifteen thousand (215,000) rupees, for the purpose of founding one or more professorships for teaching the languages, literature, sciences, and moral philosophy of Europe. Nor can we doubt that you will be pleased to comply with our earnest solicitation that we may be allowed to honour these professorships as a slight testimony of our unceasing gratitude with that name which we so much revere and admire, and to designate them as the Elphinstone Professorships.”

This tribute of respect must have been as oratifying to the statesman to whom it was offered as it was honourable to those from whom it emanated ; while at the same time it evinced beyond possibility of misconception the value which education and all it brings in its train possessed in the eyes of the natives of Bombay. This brief sketch of an institution, in the founding of which the Parsis took no insignificant part, and from which they have derived a larger amount of benefit than others, will, it is hoped, be considered not out of place here. Though the Hindus greatly outnumber the Parsis, the number of the latter who receive