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SECLUSION OF THEIR WOMEN.

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reminding them of similar circumstances in history, they have replied, those instances were marks of collected firmness in the prince; since whatever the cause might be, he should never derogate from his own dignity, nor forget the attentions due to a man of rank, whatever his situation or conduct might be. They are extremely careful not to interrupt one another in discourse; and generally possess a natural eloquence, which they utter with fluency, in a soft, but audible tone; and are peculiarly graceful in their action, which is so expressive, as often to forestall what they are about to deliver."

The same observant traveller makes a remark on the seclusion of the Mahomedan women from the society of the men, which I believe to have great weight in the general opinion of the Orientals. "On combining together the inclinations of Mahomed with his policy, we shall find the seclusion of women from the society of men, gives to the latter all those hours, which, in Europe, are generally employed by men to please the object of their wishes: leaving them at full leisure to pursue, without distractions of jealousy, the business of the day. It also prevents those bitter feuds and lasting animosities, which poison the minds of contending rivals, otherwise formed for mutual esteem and friendship. It preserves the marriage-bed not only from pollution, but also from the dread of it; and it secures women from those delusions and temptations, which irritate the mind with fleeting joys, leaving behind the permanent sting of bitter remorse! while never having tasted the universal triumph and dominion which beauty gives in the circles of Europe, the loss of power is not added to the painful sensation of fading charms."

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CHAPTER VI.

Parsees, or Guebres-Everlasting Fire near Baku, in Persia—Religion of Zoroaster and the ancient Magi-Manners and Customs of the Parsees.

THE Parsees, or Guebres, are a people whom the Mahomedan persecutions drove from Persia, their native country, in the eighth century of the Christian æra. They are descended from the ancient Persians, followers of Zoroaster; to whose religious tenets and moral laws, they still profess to adhere.

While the Mahomedan religion was established in Persia under the system of terror, these people emigrated to the isle of Ormuz, and continued there fifteen years; they then embarked in small vessels for India; bringing with them the autus-byram, or sacred fire, which they preserved with the greatest care. After a dreadful voyage, they landed at Diu, on the south-west point of the Cambay Gulph, a settlement now belonging to the Portugueze. They continued at this place for some time, and then crossing the Gulph, landed at Suzan, near Nunsarree, which is a little to the southward of Surat. Here these unhappy Persians implored the protection of the Hindoo rajah ; and pathetically related their religious persecutions, their flight from their native land, and all their subsequent misfortunes. Astonished at the appearance of so many armed strangers, the rajah was doubtful how he should receive them : at length humanity prevailed;

FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.

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he granted them permission to settle in his dominions, and to build a temple for their sacred fire, on their compliance with certain conditions; particularly, that they should never put an ox or a cow to death, nor on any consideration taste the flesh; a covenant, which both themselves and their descendants have kept inviolable to this day.

As their families increased, the Parsees dispersed, and settled at Bombay, Surat, Baroche, and other northern towns on the western coast of India. Active and industrious, they applied themselves to domestic and foreign commerce; and many of the principal merchants and owners of ships at Bombay and Surat, are Parsees others learned the mechanic arts, and engaged in the varied manufactures of the loom : the best carpenters and shipwrights in India are of this

tribe.

Their number at Bombay is considerable, and at Surat they amount to twenty thousand families.: hitherto they have not attempted to establish a government of their own; and an unfortunate schism in their religious tenets has divided them into two separate factions.

The Parsees are all worshippers of fire; and in every temple is a sacred flame, lighted at first from that originally brought from Persia, which is still preserved with great reverence at Oodwara, near Nunsarree. These fires are attended day and night by the andaroos, or priests, and are never permitted to expire. This was also positively enjoined to the Levites, and was adopted by the Greeks and Romans under all their governments. Quintus Curtius tells us that the eternal fire was carried before the army of Darius, on silver altars, followed by the Magi singing hymns, and by

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three hundred and sixty-five youths clothed in scarlet, amounting to the number of days in the year. These fires are preserved in a large chafing-dish, carefully supplied with fuel, perfumed by a small quantity of sandal-wood, or other aromatics. The vulgar and illiterate worship this sacred flame, as also the sun, moon, and stars, without regard to the invisible Creator; but the learned and judicious adore only the Almighty Fountain of Light, the author and disposer of all things, under the symbol of fire. Zoroaster, and the ancient magi, whose memories they revere, and whose works they are said to preserve, never taught them to consider the sun as any thing more than a creature of the Great Creator of the universe : they were to revere it as his best and fairest image, and for the numberless blessings it diffuses on the earth; the sacred flame was intended only as a perpetual monitor to preserve their purity; of which this element is so expressive a symbol. But superstition and fable have, through a lapse of ages, corrupted the stream of their religious system, which in its source was pure and sublime. Herodotus says, that the ancient Persians venerated fire as a divinity; and the magi, who detested the adoration of images, worshipped the Almighty only by this element. At the same time they admitted two principles, one the cause of all good, the other that of all evil; the former was called Orasmades, the latter Ahriman; the one represented by light, the other by darkness. This was the system of Zoroaster and the Magi; and under various modifications, inculcated in their moral system, is supposed to form the contents of the Zend Avesta, or sacred books of the modern Parsees.

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Butler, in his Hora Biblicæ, written in 1769, says:-"The morality of the Zend Avesta is entitled to praise purity of word, action and thought, is repeatedly inculcated." An attention to truth is likewise particularly enforced. To multiply the human species, increase its happiness, and prevent evil, are the general duties inculcated by Zoroaster to his disciples; agriculture, and the multiplication of useful animals, are particularly recommended to them. "He," says Zoroaster, "who sows the ground with diligence, acquires a greater stock of religious merit, than he could gain by ten thousand prayers. The disciple of Zoroaster is enjoined to pardon injuries; to honour his parents and the king, whose rights are derived from Ormuzd; to respect old age; to observe general gentleness of manners, and to practise universal benevolence. Fasting and celibacy are forbidden to the men; and as far as it may depend on themselves, the latter is discouraged in women: if a man's wife be not barren, only one wife is allowed him a marriage with his cousin-german is recommended to him as an act particularly pleasing to Heaven.

Some of the Parsee tribe still reside in Persia, near the city of Baku, on the shores of the Caspian sea, about ten miles from the everlasting fire which they hold in such veneration. This fire issues from the cleft of a rock, five or six feet in length, and three in breadth, appearing like the clear flame over burning spirits; sometimes it rises to the height of several yards, at others only a few inches above the aperture. It has continued thus for ages without intermission, and the rock is said not to be in the least affected,

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