19 JUNE 1909, Page 27

Through the Malay Archipelago. By Emily Richings. (Henry

Drane. Os.)—Mrs. Richings gives us here some lively pictures of scenery and of life in the land of the Malay. "Java," " The Celebes," "The Moluccas," "Sumatra," and " Penang " are her chief topics. Java occupies, as one might expect, about half the volume, and forms an interesting chapter. We venture to doubt, however, whether the blessings of Dutch rule are realised by the natives quite as fully as they seem to be by our author. "One fifth of village acreage was compulsorily planted with sugar cane, and one day's work every week was demanded by the Dutch Government from the native population."