Random Recollections Of Foreign Travel.

to me to obtain a light for myself . " My religion does not allow me to waste fire " was his simple formula , and from this brief text followed a long and to me most interesting discussion on the creed of the modern followers of Zoroaster . I had seen the Towers of Silence in the outskirts of

Bombay , with thenoisome vultures hovering round them , sometimes with obscene flutterings , at others gorged and torpid , but always repulsive and loathsome . I knew that within these dismal receptacles the bodies of departed Parsees are laid on

a wide barred grating to be picked clean by the birds of prey , and for the bare skeletons to drop blackened by the sun into their last receptacle below . I knew that these strange resting places for the dead are guarded jealously from all

but duly authorized eyes , and that it would have been profanation for a European to attempt to peer within . I had enjoyed the hospitality , too , of wealthy Parsee gentlemen , and had no more dreamt of questioning them as to their tenets than I should an Englishman of my own station . But the familiarity engendered by a long sea voyage , the intimate relations ivhich

gradually spring up between a private secretary and his principal when there are mutual confidence and respect , and the long hours which Sorabjee and myself necessarily spent alone together , while I was dictating aud he writing the stout volume ivhich was

placed in the printers' hands , and published by Messrs . Blackwood within a week or two of my landing in England , allhelped to inspire the fe ? , lings under the influence of which men are not unwilling to unburden themselves of the thoughts ivhich

, in the ordinary wear and tear of this worka-day life , they keep j ealously sealed . Then it was that Sorabjee and myself pledged each other as Freemasons ; and agreed that there was goodin all reli gions ; and that difference in forms ought never to divide good men and

true . Sorabjee was and ( as his letter will show ) is , a steadfast believer in the princi ples inculcated bv the craft , and without quoting his talk at length , I have pleasure in affirming that his views on many of the essentials to a God-fearing

pure , Jaw-abiding life , were such as most thinking men would be able to endorse . Patient , willing , conscientious and painstaking under circumstances which were occasionall y trying , from abnormal pressure

and increasing exactions , he inspired myself and our shipmates with respect , sod parted from me at Suez , when his special work was over , ivith hearty good Avill on both sides . A few years pass , and in the course of a speech I deliver at a Masonic meeting , I allude to the various nationalities and and faiths in ivhich I have known

Freemasonry to flourish , and in doing so quoted my Parsee secretary Sorabjee . He , in his imperfect knowledge of the English tongue , imagines I " condemned" our late Grand Master for exercising those rights of conscience which the Mason claims for Jew , Mahommedan and Parsee : but I do not

regret his error , as it has gii'en me the opportunity of writing him a friendly letter , and of introducing him to the readers of the Masonic Magazine . His letter runs thus : —

"Bombay , 26 th June , l § 7 o . "J . C . Parkinson , Esq ., London . " My dear Sir , —I have much pleasure to drop these i ' ew lines in hope that they will find self , Madam , aud children in the enjoyment of excellent health . As I have not heard from yousince last three years ,

, I am anxious to hear of your welfare . It is some months since I read an Indian Masonic record , in Avhich you are reported to have expressed your condemnation for the change of his religion by our late Grand Master of England , and with it his retirement from our sacred

institution . ' You have kindly referred to my humble self , for which I am deeply indebted to you in reniemberiugme , after so long an interval . I am indeed very proud for so high an honour be done tome . Since I tell you , SirI Avas employed here in a merchant ' s

, firm ( Messrs . Forbes & Co . ) , and afterwards in H . M . ' s Mint , as assistant to the bullion keeper . I must say that I got the place solely from the good certificate which you gave me , and for Avhich I must thank you , and shall never forget you as a good

master . " I am sorry you have not honoured me Avith your and Mrs . P . ' s photo you so kindly promised on board ship . I yet hope you will not forget to send me . I send by this opportunity mine- for your kind acceptance . " I remain , your iiuthful servant , "H . SOHABJEETOONAGUI .. "