Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 672

1841.

Diary and Journal of Parsees.

655

to have paid the most particular attention to all the improvements in steam navigation; but their observations were not, by any means, limited to what belongs appropriately to their own profession. Both of their works are written in very good style, and are characterised by manly spirit and sound sense. To the Parsees they must be full of interest, and the English reader cannot fail to derive from their pe- rusal some useful hints and much amusement. For ourselves, at least, we can say, we have read them with a great deal of pleasure; and recommend their perusal to all who are interested in the Par- sees, the direct descendants of the ancient Persians.

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Leaving our readers to persue the Diary and Journal at their lei sure, we will here lay before them a few particulars, which we have learned from the Parsees themselves, during an acquaintance with some of them for more than ten years. Always we have found them kind, affable, generous, and ready to communicate information re- specting their nation.

After the conquest of Persia, 632 B. C., the despotism of the usur- per, caliph Omar, obliged the followers of Zoroaster, or the ancient Persians, to quit their homes for the sake of their religion. Some fled to the north, others to the west, while most of them went to the bay of Ormus, where, owing to oppression by the Mussulmen, they did not remain longer than 15 years. Thinking that no country could afford them a better place for keeping their religion than Hindostan, they now left the bay Ormus for Dieu. There they stayed about 17 years, and then left for Sanjan, being much oppressed by the Portu- guese government. When they came opposite Sanjan, the rájá of that place, named Jadee Rana, sent a messenger on board one of their vessels to inquire, who they were, and why they had come. hither, and demanded that, before landing, four of their men should come on shore, and acquaint the rájá with their designs. Accordingly, next day, four of them landed, and were kindly received by the rájá, who questioned them about their leaving Persia and their motives for it. They answered that it was on account of their religion. Next he wished to know what their religion was, an account of which was accordingly furnished to him in four days, written in Sanscrit and comprised in 16 verses. The rájá, extremely surprised at the purity of their religion, not only gave them a kind reception, but became half inclined to adopt their faith. Before receiving permission to land, they were required to change their dress, to lay down their arms never to be taken again, to adopt the Sanscrit language, and to yield to certain changes in their diet, marriage ceremonies, costumes,