rhinoceros shield, which it is still difficult to
penetrate; but in the end the Cross will come off conqueror, as it
always has and always will.

"Caste does not now compel a native to pursue his father's calling,
except, perhaps, in the case of Brahmins. For that matter, Brahmins
serve in the army, and even act as cooks and in similar occupations. Men
of all castes have risen to exalted positions, just as poor men, with
none of the advantages of high birth, have in England. The loss of caste
has been regarded by the ignorant native here as the most terrible thing
that could possibly happen to him; but it is not so in practice, for it
has been accomplished by giving a very indifferent supper.

"When an outcast enters another caste, he is well and heartily received
as a convert. As you proceed through India you will learn more about
this stumbling-block of superstition and ignorance.

"The 57,000,000 Mohammedans, of whom 23,658,000 are in Bengal, and over
6,000,000 in Bombay, are either descendants of emigrating Asiatics, or
Hindus converted to that faith. Their religion is a mixture of the
doctrines of the Prophet and local idolatry; for they have been somewhat
infected by the prevailing worship of the natives. The Parsees are an
educated mercantile class, the great body of them being found in Bombay.
They are fire-worshippers; and their creed is that of Zoroaster, who
flourished not less than 800 years before Christ. The Zend-Avesta is the
sacred book of the sect, containing their religion and their philosophy.
The Caliph Omar conquered the Persians, and established Mohammedanism
there, persecuting all who would not believe. The obstinate Parsees fled
to India."

"The Parsees of the present day are their descendants, and still cling
to their ancient faith. Like all sects, they are fully tolerated by the
British government, and are considered one of the most respectable and
thriving classes of the community. They are largely merchants and
land-owners, and bear the highest reputation for honesty, industry, and
as peaceful citizens. They are quite prepossessing, and many of their
ladies are remarkably beautiful, though I have seen a fairer American
than any one of them.

"Some of them have studied law in England, and all are forward to avail
themselves of the advantages of education. A merchant-prince of this
sect was noted as a philanthropist; and for the vast sums of money he
gave for benevolent institutions, the Q