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

CHAP. 11.] FIDELITY AND LOVALTY. 99

volence and charity will at that moment be your highest consolation.”

In acknowledging this high honour, the following characteristic words of Sir Jamshedji among other expressions of erateful thanks are worth recording in these pages :—

“T shall hand down this medal to my children’s children with pride and reverence! I shall teach them to look upon it with feelings of veneration towards the high source under whose sanction it has been conferred,—to consider it as a token that our gracious Sovereion and her Government take a deep interest in all her distant subjects, and that occasions are sought to prove it. They shall be taught that fidelity to the British Crown is their first duty,—loyalty the first virtue.”

Another signal honour which was conferred for the first time on a native of India was the presentation of the freedom of the city of London to the munificent Parsi knight. At a Common Council held at the Mansion House, by the Lord Mayor of the city of London, on the 14th day of April 1855, it was unanimously resolved that the freedom of the city be presented to Sir Jamshedji Jijibhai of Bombay, in the East Indies, Knight, as a testimonial of the high estimation entertained of him by the Corporation of the city of London, and from respect for his justly

renowned character as a princely benefactor of