1824.] 
beginning of the world, their beginning 
is hidden in the most remote antiquity. 
The sudden appearance of those fires, 
in an age when natural causes and ef- 
fects were little known or understood, 
must of necessity have created the idea 
of a miracle, and was perhaps the pri- 
mary cause of the adoration of this ele- 
ment among the Medes, with whom it 
seems to have originated. The blind zeal 
of the Moslems has destroyed the myste- 
rious receptacles of the sacred element 
of the Parsi in the east; the wonderful 
fire-pillars of Baku alone have resisted 
their depredatory fury. The temple 
built over it, and which is probably one 
of the most ancient monuments of hu- 
man worship in existence, is still pre- 
served by the remnants of the ancient 
Parsi, or fire worshippers, who, although 
scattered over the extensive plains of 
Persia and Hindoostan, repair to the 
Caspian Sea to offer up their adora- 
tions to the symbolical representation 
of their creator. But this temple is no 
monument of architectural skill; it 
consists of a simple square stone build- 
ing, with an altar in the centre of it, 
from which the sacred fire issues forth, 
and illumines with its mysterious flame 
the dingy walls that surround it. The 
flat roof is supported on four pillars, 
likewise enveloped in flames, which-are 
conducted into them by means of pipes. 
The roof supports a small belfry right 
over the altar. In the darkness of the 
night this temple may be seen from a 
great distance, and its effect is inde- 
scribably beautiful. 
Within the walls with which this 
temple is surrounded are several small 
stone houses, and a small garden, the 
abodes of eight Parsi monks.* Previous 
to their beginning their worship, they 
strike once against the bell, after which 
they prostrate themselves before the 
altar. After having lain there for some 
time, they rise, strike again against the 
bell, and thus terminate their religious 
rites. Previous to their eating or drink- 
ing, a part is thrown into the fire; and 
as they abstain from all animal food, 
* The Europeans call them Guebers, 
like all the other worshippers of fire; it is 
a corruption of the Persian Giowr, with 
which they designate not only the Parsis, 
but all others who are not Moslems. ‘Thus 
they call the Russians Sare-Giour or Guebr, 
i. e. light brown, strangers or idolators, 
probably on account of there being fewer 
people with black hair among them than 
among the natives of Asia.—Note of the 
original. 
Montuty Mac. No. 403. 
_ Perpetual Fire on the Shores of the Caspian Sea. 
409 
there is nothing disgusting in this cere- 
mony. They seem to entertain a great 
attachment to animals, especially dogs, 
of which they keep a great many, treat- 
ing them as companions and friends. 
The Parsi are not free from the weak- 
ness of considering their religion as the 
best, and themselves as the elect of the 
Almighty, and the purest of mankind; 
and why should they—more than the 
votaries of every other religion?’ They 
seem, however, to carry the principle of 
self-estimation a little farther than other 
sects, since they are apprehensive of 
contamination even in speaking to 
strangers, and endeavour to secure 
themselves against it, by muttering cer- 
tain prayers during the intervals of .con- 
versation. They seemed to be dis- 
pleased on our attempting to cook our 
provisions near the same fire with them, 
and, out of regard to their prejudices, 
we removed to another. But even at 
this distance they appeared to be fearful 
of our impure influence, for in passing 
by us with some water they had been 
fetching, they. called out Brama/ re- 
peatedly. It is possible, however, that 
I may wrong them in this instance, and 
that it was a sort of worship they offer- 
ed to the liquid element, which in an- 
cient times, at least, was considered as 
a divinity by many of the followers of 
Zoroaster. The air in the temple, and 
the surrounding precincts, was exceed- 
ingly hot, on which account the monks 
were almost naked. In former times, 
the monks frequently performed singu- 
lar vows, such as standing for twelve 
months or longer on one leg, or in any 
other forced position. These fooleries 
have, however, ceased long since. But 
still they endeavour to keep the female 
sex from access to the holy fire, pro- 
bably from a fear of being disturbed 
in their religious feelings, or being led 
to unholy temptation. 
These monks are remarkably clean 
in their persons and dwellings. They 
seem to be equally exempt from super- 
fluity and poverty.. Their cells are also 
lighted by the natural gas, which they 
easily extinguish by covering the orifice 
from which it issues. The garden is on 
one side of the enclosure, and its ver- 
dure is as pleasing to the eye as its 
shady walks are refreshing in the heat 
of the surrounding atmosphere, and 
forms a pleasing retreat for those re- 
cluses.—The naphta which is collected 
in the vicinity of this temple produces 
to the crown an annual revenue 
200,000 rubles. Wee 
3G 
