visible flame, as well as the sun, moon, and stars. They even lost sight of the truth that there was but one God, and worshipped two spirits, one good and one evil, whom they believed to be contending for the dominion of the universe. In fact, like Brahminism, Buddhism, and even Christianity itself, the religion of Zoroaster has been greatly perverted by his followers, and it would be unfair to judge its real teachings by the beliefs held by its more ignorant professors. Its real superiority to the other religions of India may, however, be gathered from its effect on the people who profess it. The Parsis are distinguished from both Hindus and Mahomedans by their general good conduct and their high standard of morality, as well as by their general healthiness. Their average mortality is singularly low, especially among the children. Their women occupy a far more honourable and independent position than either Hindu or Mahomedan women, and are universally allowed to be both good wives and good mothers. They are not kept in seclusion, but drive about in open carriages, with their faces uncovered, wearing white shawls or sarees over their heads, and a great deal of jewellery. The men wear a white or black coat and white trousers, and a dark turban or cap of a peculiar shape.
The Parsis seem to have inherited that characteristic of their Persian forefathers which so struck
