Pilgrimage to the Caaba and Charing Cross, By Hafiz Ahmed
Hassan. (W. H. Allen and 0o.)—The author of this book was in the service of the Nawab of Tonk, and the purpose of his book may be supposed to be, under the form of relating a pilgrimage to Mecca and a journey to Eng- land, the telling of the story of the Tonk affair " from the Nawab's- point of view. That story becomes, it is needless to say, wholly different under this treatment. The Nawab is represented as a just and wise prince; the slain chief a turbulent ruffian who was killed while engaged in an unprovoked attack on the Nawab's minister. Tho statement must by taken for what it is worth by those who can estimate its vain°, and we can do nothing more than call attention to it. In the "Pilgrimage ''' itself there is little worthy of note. Tho writer thinks more highly of the people of Mecca than did the Indian princess whose visit we lately noticed in these-columns. His impression of England was favourable, though he preferred the " Taj " to " Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's," apparently ranking these two structures together. It is disagreeable to fled him remarking on " the amazing difference between the behaviour and breeding of the English gentleman as seen is England and India." It is manifest, however, that, whether or no with good reason, ho is not inclined to be partial to English rule in India,
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