THE ARABIAN RACE. 



243 



measure, with the practice of the Pharaonic princes. The dress of 

 the Bombay Parsees, has varied perceptibly within two or three gene- 

 rations, but always within certain limits ; as in respect to the fulness 

 of the robe. 



The costume of the women throughout the East, has a general simi- 

 larity ; whether among the Arabs, Hindoos, or Parsees. Unlike, how- 

 ever, the practice with the higher class of Arabs, the Parsee women 

 do not conceal the face. 



When a Parsee woman proves unfaithful, " she expiates by poison 

 the disgrace brought upon her husband and upon the relations on both 

 sides;" and an escape from death, notwithstanding the supremacy of 

 English law, was deemed to be nearly impossible. Marriages take 

 place during childhood, and the father of the boy, often spends his 

 whole fortune upon the ceremony ; a custom which has also de- 

 scended to the Muslims of India. 



The Parsees wear a religious cord ; and they present other points of 

 affinity with the Bramins. They regard certain animals as unclean; 

 and among them the swine, a point in accordance with the Jews and 

 Muslims. 



V. Mohammed Shah, the present ruler of Persia, greatly favours the 



Parsees; and they are now in a flourishing condition in their native 

 country. Individuals are continually coming from Shiraz and Yezd ; 

 and they are received at once by their Bombay brethren. The emi- 

 grants, do not on their arrival understand the Guzerati language; but 

 they speak Persian only, and they wear the modern Persian dress." 

 Mr. Allen had conversed with one of these emigrants, who came from 

 beyond Cabul ; and who complained greatly of the corruption of the 

 Parsee religion at Bombay. 



The modern profanation of their revered element by the custom of 

 smoking, has not hitherto extended to the Parsees ; and I found that 

 my not practising this custom, had been remarked by them. It is 

 commonly said, that Parsees will not fire a musket; but one of the 

 sect assured me, that his people used muskets at the time when they 

 fought with the Muslims. 



The same individual, spoke of the great power of the Parsees in 

 former times, and of its sudden departure. He accused the Arabs of 

 having " burned their great library ; reserving only such books as re- 

 lated to the resources of the country, with some ancient history." 

 And lie added, that " the few Parsee books now extant, relate only to 



