28 SEPTEMBER 1878, Page 20

India and her Neighbours. By W. P. Andrew. (W. H.

Allen and Co.)—This volume contains as much information about India as could conveniently be put within a compass which is small rather in relation to the magnitude of the subject, than absolutely. The early history of India, the Mahommedan conquests, the rise and growth of British rule, and the recent changes of policy and organisation are successively described. A brief but comprehensive sketch is given of each of the chief feudatories and dependent or protected States, of their ruling families, their population, revenues, and last, but not least in import- ance, the military forces which they have at their disposal. To this last subject, indeed, Mr. Andrew is inclined to attach considerable im- portance. That our army, both European and Native, is outnumbered in the proportion of three to two is perhaps not an immediately alarm- ing fact. But it is a fact which may become important almost before we are aware. It is certainly a significant thing that Scindiah has organised a short-service system, in the midst, it must be remembered, of an essentially warlike population.—The same information, but more complete and more thoroughly treated, may be found, for the provinces indicated by the title, in The Punjaub and North- West Frontier of India, by "An Old Punjaubee." (C. Kogan Paul.)