CHAPTE R VI. 
The Parsees, or Guebres, are a people whom the Mahomedan 
persecutions drove from Persia, their native country, in the eighth 
century of the Christian sera. 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 Dili, on the south-west point of the Cam- 
bay 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 south- 
ward of Surat. Here these unhappy Persians implored the pro- 
tection of the Hindoo rajah; and pathetically related their religious 
persecutions, their flight from their native land, and all their sub- 
sequent misfortunes. Astonished at the appearance of so many 
armed strangers, the rajah was doubtful how he should receive 
them: at length humanity prevailed; he granted them permission 
