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

310 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. VI.

advantages resulting from them were at once perceived by those who visited them. The efficient practical working of the schools made a stronger impression on the minds of the people than the long talk of years had done. Men not wanting in liberality of sentiment, and ready of purse, now came forward to assist in the good and noble cause which a few youthful reformers had undertaken with such admirable foresight and unselfishness. The first pecuniary aid received towards the maintenance of the schools was from four Parsi gentlemen, whose names, at their special request, were not publicly given out at the time. They loved to do “good by stealth, and blushed to find it fame.” Latterly, however, their names transpired, and they are well worth preserving in these pages as those of the first Parsis through whose pecuniary assistance, seasonably given, the girls’ schools of their community were placed on a sure and solid foundation. Hope in the success and endurance of the schools then increased, and all the facts encouraged the brightest anticipations.

Messrs. Nasarvanji Mancherji Kama, Framji Nasarvanji Patel, Dhanjibhai Nasarvanji Kama, and Kharshedji Nasarvanji Kama were the energetic and largeminded gentlemen who performed the good work. They placed at the disposal of the Committee a sum

of Rs.4,800, to be expended in maintaining the schools