CURRENT LITERATURE.
An Historical Sketch of the Native States of India. By Colonel G. B. Malleson, C.S.L (Longmans.)—Colonel 3lnlleson does not profess to give us in this volume more than a compilation, but a compilation by one who has access to the best authorities, and can direct himself in the use of them by his personal knowledge, is sure to make a valuable book of reference. So much may be lately said of the " Historical Sketch." The author is not unpractised in historical writing, being the author of the once famous account of the Sepoy outbreak of 1857, called the "Red Pamphlet." He has studied the authorities very diligently ; and he has the advantage of personal acquaintance gained in an import- ant position of trust in one of the best known of the States, that of My- sore, where he fills the office of guardian to the young Rajah. The facts related are for the most part wholly unknown to the average English reader, who may be considered tolerably well informed, if he adds to the general impression that the peninsula of Hindosten belongs to England, the knowledge that there are various relations in which various States stand to the central power. The variety of these relations is, indeed, immensely large, and ranges from something like independence to a condition closely resembling that of the mediatised Princes of Germany. Most of the interest of the book is naturally of a statistical or historical interest, but the reader may pick out some curious little fragments of a more general kind. Such is the strange story which Colonel Malleson tells about Mysore. It fell towards the end of the eighteenth century under the power of Ryder, or, as our author calls him, Haider Ali. Haider kept the Hindoo Rajah on the throne, and on his death, devised this singular method of selecting a successor. He brought together all the children of various branches of the house, and scattered among them all sorts of playthings, sweetmeats, every- thing, in fact, that could attract. One child was observed to grasp a dagger with his right hand, while he took up a lime in his left. "That is the Raja," exclaimed Haider, "his first care is military protection, his second to realise the produce of his dominions." The unlucky child, however, did not get any benefit from his promotion, for he was confined in the palace till he died. On that event, Tipi Sultan, who had then succeeded to the throne, put an end to the pretence, and removed the son of the Rajah to a miserable hovel. There the child was found when Seringapatam was taken in 1792. He was put on the throne by the British Government, and ruled but indifferently, dis- sipating in two years 75 lass of pagodas which had boon col- lected by a grasping Minister. He was deposed on a pension, and adopted a lad named Chamrdjendia. This is the boy whom Colonel Malleson has under his charge. It is satisfactory to learn that his progress has been steady and satisfactory. He is being taught all, with the exception of Latin and Greek, which world be taught at an English school. He has learned to ride, even to hunt with the hounds, to play cricket, and to drive. Elsewhere we gather a curious fact which few, it is probable, are aware of, and that is the number of the forces under the control of the military princes. There are, it seems, in all 5,252 guns, 9,370 trained artillery, 64,172 cavalry, and 241,033
infantry. •
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