11 NOVEMBER 1916, Page 21

The Diary of Ananda Range Pillai. Edited by H. Dodwell.

Vol. IV. (Madras : Government Press. 4s. 6d.)—Ranga Pillai, the chief native agent of Dupleix, kept a very full diary covering the period 1736-1701. This remarkable document is being translated from the Tamil at the instance of the Madras Government, and the present Instalment extends from March, 1747, to March, 1748, when the power of Dupleix was at its height Range Pillai describes the great man's petty intrigues and his ungovernable temper with painful fidelity ; but he evidently admired and feared Dupleix, and was violently jealous of the Governor's master- ful wife, who also took a hand in governing Pondicherry.