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

cHap. vi.] THE ELPHINSTONE INSTITUTION. 285

instruction at the institution has in many years exceeded that of the former, and has never been known to be less. In fact, it may with truth be said that the Parsis are the most intelligent and persevering of all the races inhabiting India, and that it is only necessary for them to understand the value and advantage of whatever may be offered them to induce them to accept it with eagerness. This has been shown in the case of English education. No Parsi, whose means allow him to do so, will neglect to give his children the benefit of a liberal education. ‘The class-rooms of the Elphinstone Institution are filled with Parsis. The St. Xavier School and College established by the zealous and self-denying Jesuit missionaries, the Free Church and the General Assembly institutions founded by other philanthropic Christian missionaries, as well as the institutions conducted by private enterprise, are all largely attended by Parsis. English and vernacular schools, established by Government in the different towns in the Mofussil wherever there are Parsis, are freely resorted to by them. It may be said, indeed, that the Parsis are in comparison benefiting themselves more largely than any of their neighbours through the education provided by the State and other agencies. They are convinced

1 We leave out the Mahomedans altogether from our calculation, as, until recently, they never troubled their heads at all about English education.