STATE AND PROSPECTS OF INDIA.
THIS work of Mr. THORNTON'S contains a useful digest of various infbrmation relative to our Indian possessions, with some specula- tions on their future prospects, and a few suggestions for advancing the interests both of India and England. His arrangement of his matter is clear, his treatment is brief; his views are safe,— with a leaning to the " ancient ways" rather than to new tracks; for he holds that the Hindoos are not fitted for, do not require, and will not bear any considerable or sudden changes.
If he does not exhaust the facts of India, his book contains suf- ficient divisions to have enabled rains to have done so. It opens with an historical sketch of European .conquest ; gives a view of the political relations and government of Hindustan; treats of its productions, trade, revenue, judicial system, society, manners, morals, and religion, besides devoting a chapter to a consideration of the best means of securing British interests and authority, and entering minutely into the subject of public works, and the best means of opening foreign and internal communication. To have handled all these matters fully and with equal power, would re- quire learning and ability of a very rare kind. Upon the higher class of subjects we have enumerated, Mr. THORNTON' exhibits little mastery; in practical affairs he is more at home. His chapter on Indian agriculture is able and judicious; and his brief but search- ing examination of the project for establishing- steam communica- tion between Bombay and England, well worthy of perusal.
Previous page
