It was in grateful recognition of this noble philanthropy that
Queen Victoria conferred upon him the honor of a baronetcy, sending
out a nobleman to act as her proxy in the presentation of a sword
which had been handled by more than one British monarch. Sir Jamsetjee
was the first East Indian who ever received a title from a European
sovereign. During the terrible famines alluded to he not only
distributed daily from his own palace a plentiful supply of food to
all who came, but he made also large donations of provisions to the
English governor of Bombay for the supply of his starving troops.
When, subsequently, pestilence followed in the footsteps of famine,
this true-hearted philanthropist, overstepping all prejudices of creed
and clan, built and endowed at his own expense a free hospital for the
sick of all nations and religions. Temporary bamboo cottages at first
received the sick till there was time for the erection of the present
elegant structure, which is built in the Gothic style, and is capable
of accommodating some six or eight hundred patients, besides nurses
and attendants. The physicians have been from the beginning of the
enterprise all English, as are many of the nurses, and the supplies in
every department are the very best the country can furnish. Since the
death of the noble founder, the son, who inherits his name and title,
has continued to foster with loving devotion the institution
which stands as a lasting monument of the fame and virtues of his
illustrious sire.
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