13 OCTOBER 1888, Page 44

Manual of the Coimbatare District. By F. A. Nicholson. (M.

B. Hill, Madras.)—Coimbatore is a district considerably larger than Yorkshire, which may be roughly described as lying between Mysore and Trichinopoly. Mr. Nicholson, who is "Acting Collector at Anantapur," gives in this volume an elaborate description of the population, resources, products, and general social condition of the district. It would be a great service if such descriptions were given of the whole of India. A number of educated men

holding the positions of our Indian Civil Servants ought to be both capable and willing. Such a contribution to history and govern- ment would be a valuable result of the system which ensures, in a degree, the presence of educated men in these positions of authority.