CURRENT LITERATURE.
Mcidhava ltdo Sindhia. By H. G. Keene. (Clarendon Press.)— This is one of the " Rulers of India " series,—scarcely among the first in interest, but certainly worth study, the more so as Sindhia was the founder of one of the moat powerful houses among native States. The interest of the story culminates when Sindhia came into collision with the British power. The incompetence of our leaders at first threw the advantage into his hands ; but the balance was soon redressed. Captain Bruce, a brother of the famous Abyssinian traveller, took Gwalior by surprise without losing a man ; and Sindhia, in a final effort to retrieve affairs, was driven out of his camp by a night surprise. This satisfied him that the British were better as friends than as foes. Hastings, too, saw that the man was faithful and capable, and bound him fast to our cause by a liberal treaty. To this he was steadfastly loyal, a virtue which he did not display in all his transactions. Sindhia's ability is, as Mr. Keene observes, best measured by the failure of his successor to hold his place. One of the secrets of his success was certainly his prompt recognition of British soldiership. " Their line is like a brick wall," he said, on the occasion of his early triumph over the ill-led force. To see the excellences of a vanquished foe is a crowning proof of sagacity.
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