411 



dancing-girls belonging to them. They are still more profusely 

 used to perfume the oils and unguents, which are so universally 

 esteemed in Asia. These, preserved in small bottles, and boxes of 

 on} T x or alabaster, make a conspicuous figure on the Indian toi- 

 lette, and form a considerable article of traffic with the borahs and 

 travelling merchants throughout Hindostan ; especially those from 

 the sandal and mogree ; the roses of Sural are neither so abundant 

 or fragrant as to produce the valuable ottar. Resembling some of 

 these, was probably the box of ointment used by the pious Mary, 

 and the nard mentioned in the invitation from Horace to Virgil. 



" Nardo vina merebere, 



" Nardi parvus onyx eliciet cadum." Ode 12. 1. 4. 



Of late years, the most beautiful villas and gardens at Sural, at 

 least those in the best condition, no longer appertain to the Mo- 

 guls or Hindoos ; but, with very considerable landed property in 

 the outer city and adjoining districts, belong to the Parsees, a 

 numerous and industrious tribe mentioned in a former chapter. 

 These Persian emigrants are now wonderfully multiplied: except- 

 ing the extraordinary instance of the children of Israel, there is, 

 perhaps, no record of so great an increase as among the Parsee 

 tribe in India, sprung from the few families who emigrated thither 

 for the preservation of religious liberty. Active, robust, prudent, 

 and persevering, they now form a very valuable part of the com- 

 pany's subjects on the western shores of Hindostan, where they are 

 not only protected, but highly esteemed and encouraged. They 

 never interfere with the government or police of any country 

 where they settle, but gradually and silently acquire money, and 



