The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-14
THE pARsIs IN BOMBAY.
Their Magnificent GenerOsity-Death
and Burial Rites-The Towers of

From the New York Post
Bombay, jan S.-Bombay is without
doubt the finest modern city on the Asiatic
continent barring the native quarter,
which is the usual picturesque conglomer-
| alton of building huddled in narrow streets
| and rank alleys. The street is composed
| Well-paved streets, avenues, and espla-
| nades. The main streets are lined with
| structures that would doeredit to any of
cities. The G. I. P. railway terminus, for
instance, is accounted the handsomest
station in the world. This Italian Gothic
pile cost the company 81, 100000 and is
decorated throughout by the students of
the art school. The Secretariat the uni
versity Senate hall, the library and clock
tower, the high court, and post and tele-
graph offices are really fine specimens of
architecture, but the good examples are
too numerous TO mention in this limited
space.
Bombayites are justly proud Of their fine
city, and acknowledge that not a little OF
the credit is due to the broad-minded nhi-
lanthroplc Parsis, who, by their shrewd-
ness, energy, and progressive attitude
have become the dominating clement in
the Bombay presidency
Inc Parsis are of Persian descent haV-
ing fed before the Mohammedan con-
querors over 1000 years ago. and settled
IN TINS locality, which is now their strong
hold. OF the $50, 900 Inhabitants of Bonn
bay there are 1900 Europeans l. 500 Eura-
slams, $4,000 Hindus $4,000 jams, 175 600
Mohammedans, $1,000 Parsis, 5000 Jews
anu "a rev hundred negroes. Chinese, etc.
Although the Parsis are outnumbered by
the Iiindus and Mohammedans their in
huence is paramount and seems TO stand
Tor all that we claim for most of the
Their creed is epitomized in the familiar
good words, good thoughts, good deeds,
which trilogy Of virtues is symbolized by
the girdle of three cords always worn
about their bodies. To eXemphfy the
faith which is within him. the Parsi is
given to charity and philanthropic en-
a raj ipI o n a
community where they represent only one
siXteenth part of the population: and the
fact that their beneficence is not limited
TO nation, sat, or creed makes their altru-
ism standing reproach to our sO-called
humanitarianism. The Parsis are the
leading merchants and bankers of Bonn
bay, and many of them have acquired vast
wealth. Mr. Jamsetji Tata has the finest
residence in the city. which he has filed
with treasures of art, pictures, and por-
traits painted for him in London by the
best English artists.
The School of Art was given to the city
by Sir Jamsetji Jibibhai. Here the best
native arts of weaving, embroidery, met
al working, and carving are perpetuated
and taught to the ma tive youth who is dis
playing an alarming prejudice in favor
of European rubbish. Modern drawing,
sculpture, and pottery work. together
with many other branches of art, are also
Taught here.
The Goculdas TijpaI hospital was built
mainly at the expense of two Pars gem
tlemen, each OF whom gave SIS 900 to sup
the government Sir Albert Sassoon, al
though not a Parsi but a Persian Jew
contributed $4,000 to that model achieve
ment the Elphinstone high school and
the Pestonji Cana hospital for women and
children--a handsome Gothic building
was endowed and built by Parsi, as was
also the Jamsetji Jibibhai and the Cowasu
Jehangir Opthalmc hospital.
It Is estimated that the Parsis have con-
tributed one-quarter Of the five millions
spent on public buildings in Bombay dur
Ing the last thirty years. and the late Sir
Cowasii Jehaniir Readymoney, G. s. L.,
Parsi banker, Is only one Of many rep
fesentatlVe philanthrOpiSts IN this COM
munity He built two hospitals, and by
large endowment made the existence OF
the Strangers Home. the University Hall,
the ElDhinstone college, and the Hydera-
bad CSind) Lunatic asylum possible. He
also gave to the city superb drinking.
fountains that are estimated to have cost
Slo,U0O each, and, not content with home
charities. he contributed many thousand
rupees TO foreign disaster and famine
funds Catholic and Presbyterian schools
ana was said TO have furnished long.
desired organ 10 a small church unable to
procure TINS luxury among their own peo-
The male Parsi costume IL phenomonally
ugly. long hgh-cin singieabreasted
irock coat is buttoned over their some-
times portly persons, and their bright IN
teligent faces are surmounted By queer
pointed mitre OF black or purple enamelled
cloth; There y absolutely no brim 70 u.
possibly In order not 10 cut off the RAYS
OF the sun, which they revere But they
go about seemingly comfortable and nm
harmed IN the blazing noon time. when
thick cork helmets and double umbrellas
are not sufficient protection for Europeans.
Farsi ladies walk and live Ia the streets
IN very effective costumes. which are
composed OF an eight or. ton-yard length
OF soft SILK which they call SERIAL This Is
draped into a full skirt and carried over
the head aud shoulders IN graceful folds.
me common serials are printed, nut the
wealthier women wear the finest silk
with borders embroidered IN gold and
silver.
one OF the sights OF the city rs the
Dakhmas or Towers OF Silence. permit
~ obtained from the Parsi authorities
and having driven along the fine Queens
road bordering the bay 10 Malahar hill.
the visitor leaves hia carriage M the en-
trance and accompanied by an attendant.
the house OF prayer. where the cvcrlast-
ing hre ~ kept burning Tho followers
Wh,cS 49,, are nelsis dn9 nfe
sylnbolical OF purity, glory and rcfuleence.