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The case of the Bombay Parsees is a curious instance in point. When
this industrious and enterprising tribe, the descendants of the Persian fireworshippers, flying from their native country before the Caliphs, arrived in
Western India, they were admitted to toleration by the Hindoo sovereigns,
on condition of not eating beef. When those regions afterwards fell under
the dominion of Mahomedan conquerors, the Parsees obtained from them a
continuance of indulgence, on condition of refraining from pork. What was
at first obedience to authority became a second nature, and the Parsees to
this day abstain both from beef and pork. Though not required by their
religion, the double abstinence has had time to grow into a custom of their
tribe; and custom, in the East, is a religion.