20 MARCH 1926, Page 19

THIS WEEK'S BOOKS

The Chronicles of the East India Company Trading to China, 1635-1834 (Oxford University Pre_ss. Four Volumes 70s.) is a work by Dr. H. B. Morse, compiled from the surviving records of " John Company's " trade with China. • We read how- the Tawgen of Whampoa was " inquisitive about rarities in which be .was very troublesome," and a great deal about Chuntucks, Hoppos, Titucks and other strange Chinese officials, how the " Chineeses attempted a combination at Canton to set their own prices of goods to be sold to Europeans" (which shows how history repeats itself), how the mates and sailors of the Cadogan were seized and carried away, and other sidelights on the trading history of Great Britain in the Far East. To be reviewed later.