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

CHAP, II.] A FREE PRESS. 121

of the new charter, fostered as they were by the exertions of a succession of able and patriotic administrations in the period just preceding 1840, it became apparent that new life-blood was wanted in the press, and that newspapers must from henceforth have much more important tasks to perform than the announcement of the reliefs of the army, the chronicling of the movements of the Governor, or festivals at Government House, the accidents of the chase, or calamities of famine or conflagration. A free press was desiderated for the advocacy of public measures now that freedom of discussion had been permitted to newspapers and a public created for their perusal, while the opening up of the overland communication was beginning to permit the transmission of enlightenment to the people at home through the journals of India. To this, as to all other changes in the political sky, the subject of our notice was fully alive, and Framji Kavasji was one of the first of those who exerted themselves to bring into existence the journal which now chronicles his demise.”

The Framji Kavasji Tank close to ‘the Institute, and the reservoir on the Obelisk road, for the purpose of securing a permanent supply of water to the public, are excellent monuments of Framji’s catholic charity and benevolence. Framji Kavasji also contributed a lakh of rupees towards building an ‘ AtashBehram” or chief fire-temple in Bombay, which is