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

CHAP, II.] THE FIRST PARSI KNIGHT. gI

eratulation, and showed in a substantial manner their appreciation of the high honour which their kmsmanand co-religionist had received at the hands of the great Queen of England. The general community felt highly pleased, inasmuch as this act of their beloved sovereign proved that they were not unthought of, and that their loyalty and devotion were appreciated on the Throne of England. This feeling and conviction no doubt led to much good, and acted as a spur and incentive in other breasts to follow the. example of the benevolent Parsi knight.

“To SiR JAMSHEDJI JIJIBHAI, KNIGHT.

“Str—We, the undersigned Parsi and Hindu inhabitants of Bombay, would not be doing justice to our feelings, and the feelings of the community to which we belong, were we, on an occasion like the present, to withhold the expression of our deep sense of the gracious condescension and benevolent regard evinced by Her Majesty the Queen towards her most faithful subjects in this country, by conferring on a native of India the rank, dignity, and privileges of a Imight of the British realm ; or were we to omit offering to you our sincere congratulation at your receiving so honourable a token of Her Majesty’s approbation of your well-known public spirit and generous application of the means placed by Providence at your disposal on works of public utility and objects connected with the comfort, welfare, and happiness of Her Majesty’s subjects under this Presidency.

“Though you are the first native on whom such a high honour has been conferred, and though this is the first instance of the acts and conduct of a native of British India attracting the favourable notice of our Sovereign, it is impossible not to concur in the justness of the sentiment which has already so generally manifested itself that Her Majesty’s present act will strengthen and confirm the feelings of loyal attachment towards her person and Government of her native subjects throughout the length