Part of the original stock remained in Persia, their na tive country, where they seem to have experienced even a harder fate than those who emigrated. In consequence of the oppressions of their conquerors, the arts known among them declined, they lost all knowledge of their own origin and history, and became a poor and degraded race. At present they are treated with the utmost rigour, and most of them have, in consequence, been compelled either to emigrate, or to abjure the religion of their ancestors. In addition to other oppressions, they are subjected to a capitation tax of twenty piastres by the Persian government. The greater proportion inhabit the shores of the Caspian ; and the cities of Ispahan, no longer the capital of the em pire, Yezd, and Kerman. The suburb of the first, which they occupy, is called Gaurabad, and in the same quarter is a bridge called the Gaurs Bridge. About a fourth part of the population of Yezd, which contains 20,000 houses, consists of Gabres. But the principal resort of old, though now exhibiting only a few scattered cottages, was a place in the neighbourhood of the city of Badku, on the peninsula Abscharon, on the Caspian Sea. Here a natural phenome non has served to promote their faith, and rivet them in the adoration of fire. About 10 miles north-east of the city, is what is called Atash Kudda, or fire temple of the Gabres, a remarkable spot, something less than a mile in circum ference, from the centre of which a bluish lambent flame is seen to atise. When the wind blows, it is elevated to about eight feet in height, but it is lower in still weather. All around this place an invisible vapour escapes on dig ging up two or three inches of the earth, which is inflamed on the application of fire ; nay, if a cane tube, or one of pa per, be inserted so deep in the ground, and a light applied to the orifice, a flame resembling that of spirit of wine immediately bursts forth, which does not injure the tube, provided the edges be covered with clay. Several temples, apparently of simple construction, lately stood in this neigh bourhood, and, among others, a small one, where a flame issued from a hollow cane near the altar. Devotees were to be seen, about forty or fifty in number at a time, who had made expiatory pilgrimages hither, and subsisted on wild celery, a kind of Jerusalem artichoke, and other roots, while they remained. They affirm that this fire has burn ed since the flood, and believe that it will last until the end of the world. So singular a phenomenon cannot but deep ly impress the uncultivated minds of the Easterns, who would rather seek its origin in some supernatural cause, than endeavour to explain it by the combination and action of the different substances of inanimate matter.
According to the principles of the Gaines, their sacred fire should be found in every town or settlement, and ought never to be extinguished. If compelled by the pressure of circumstances to remove, it ought to be carried along with them ; and it has thus been transferred from place to place in India, while preserved in vigour, during 800 or 900, or perhaps 1000 years. Some time ago, when from invasion, or another cause, the whole Gabres were obligedi to fly, and their houses were burnt, the temple, or edifice containing the sacred fire, was preserved, which they as-. cribed to its innate powers of protection. Concerning this element they entertain the most extravagant ideas, though its worship be subservient to that of Hormusd, a divinity the source of all good. They maintain, that an original principle, analogous to eternity, (at least nothing more de finite can be explained by it,) created light, water, fire, Hormusd the author of good, and Ariman the author of evil ; but speech preceded all creation, for by its influence the formation of beings was effected : Hormusd is adored for his beneficence, and Ariman held in detestation on ac count of his malevolence. The sacred fire Behram, which is the guardian of the country, is the extract of 1001 fires, taken from 15 other fires. It must be preserved unextin
guishcd in absolute purity ; and many sacred offices are performed before it, either by priests in their temples, or by individuals in private. In the former it is kept up sim ply, we conceive, by a supply of wood. It is watched night and day by priests, and burns on a vase contained within a grating, which none other may approach. The light of the sun being brighter than fire, is excluded from their temples; and if any person of different tenets should approach, the priests consider themselves defiled, and have to undergo purification. Independent of this care of the sacred fire, they entertain a veneration for the clement in general. When once kindled, they deem it sacrilege to extinguish it, unless by a particular method: A candle must either burn to the end, or, if they wish to spare a portion, a small part next the wick is cut off, and, being carried to the hearth, is left to burn out. A light is blown out by the wind of a fan or the hand, but never with the breath, for that is impure ; and should their houses take fire, instead of extinguishing the flame with water, the surrounding parts arc pulled down, or removed, in order that it may go out of itself. In short, their general principle is, to allow it to come naturally to a close, and not abbreviate it by violence. The Gabres keep different festivals, continuing six days, as at the beginning of the year ; six particular festivals afterwards, each of five days ; and a festival the last ten days of the year, during which they believe that the souls of the virtuous descend to within three bow shots of the earth. They also observe the anniversaries of their own birth, and that of their children. But these festivals are different in different places, and some in Persia are un known in India. Their prayers are numerous ; they are offered up not only after natural operations, but on cutting their hair or nails, the fragments of which are preserved to be laid in their cemeteries.
Marriage is a favourite condition among the Gabrcs, and sterility a reproach. A man is entitled to have only one wife, but should she have no offspring, he may, with her consent, take antsthcr, the first still continuing to dwell along with him. But the same privilege is not allowed to a wife. In Persia, it has been affirmed, that a might marry live wives, though only the first was to be considered the true and legitimate one, and hence a preference over the rest. The husband was entitled, however, to repudiate her at the end of seven years if she remained sterile ; as also for adultery, or apostasy from her own religion. It is added, that if the wife repented of her offence within a year, and did penance during three years, the parties might be re-united. Perhaps these points are not esta blished, and the authors who have treated of some of them are not aware that marriage is considered to be of five dif ferent kinds. When a young female has attained matu rity, she may demand that her parents shall provide a hus band for her ; and if they disregard her request, it is a cul pable neglect ; but if she, on her part, refuses marriage, and dies a virgin at eighteen, her soul is believed to re main in hell until the resurrection. The marriages of the Gabres arc performed with great pomp and solemnity, 20b0 guests being sometimes invited in India, while all the friends and relatives of the parties arc clothed in their most splendid attire. A prodigious display of lighted torches appears, and aliumerous procession is attended by noisy musical instruments. The ceremony is then performed by a priest, and the wedded pair occupy their own proper re sidence. By a special regulation, which has prevailed nearly 150 years, the Gabres of India never present any thing at the great entertainments which embellish their marriages that has had life in it, because there are always numbers of Indians invited to participate.