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

CHAP, IL] THE MAHIM CAUSEWAY. To5

John Malcolm, Sir Charles Forbes, and Sir Bartle Frere. It stands there as an example to all India of what one of its noblest sons has done for its benefit, as well as in proof of the appreciation of his worth by his grateful fellow-citizens.

While we have thus dilated upon Sir Jamshedji’s character for benevolence, we cannot omit to mention that Lady Jamshedji was no less of a benevolent disposition. To the poor and needy her helping hand was always extended. The Mahim causeway, which connects Bombay with Salsette, and which was built at a cost of Rs.157,000, is a standing proof of her wise liberality. Before the execution of this useful work numbers of persons were drowned every year in the roaring current, which had to be passed through in crossing from one island to the other, and it is owing to her merciful heart that hundreds of lives have been saved since the building of that causeway. The speech which Sir George Arthur, Governor of Bombay, made at the opening of this causeway brought out Lady Jamshedji’s character in such bold relief that we are tempted to give it here in its entirety. He said:—‘“ This is an occasion which affords me the highest gratification, and I would wish to preface my remarks with a few general observations. Some years back it was suggested to the Government the desirableness of erecting a causeway between Mahim and Bandora, but