Linguistic and Oriental Essays, 1847 - 1890. Third Series. By
Robert Needham Cust, LL.D. (Kegan Paul, Trench, and Co.)— This volume, one of " Triibner's Oriental Series," completes, if we are so to understand the motto, Vocat labor ultimus, the literary work of a learned and laborious student. As Dr. Cust says in his preface, "a great many subjects pass under review in these essays." Part i. is entitled " Linguistic." In this depart- ment, Dr. Cust's attainments are of unusual magnitude. Besides Hebrew and the classical languages, he has something to say on vernaculars of Asia, Africa, America, and Oceania, some of his papers, contributions to the proceedings of International Con- gresses, being written in German. " India" is the title of Part Dr. Cust was in the Indian Civil Service many years ago, and has since been a member of the Legislative Council ; and he writes on many subjects suggested by these positions, and by an in- telligent interest which he has always maintained in the affairs of the peninsula. " Would India Gain by the Extinction of European Government ?" is a paper which may be specially com- mended to the doctrinaire statesmen, or would-be statesmen, who make such confident statements on so slender a basis of know- ledge. He asks a pertinent question which goes to the root of the matter : "Is there a soldier in the Army of India connected by blood ties with any one of the Congress speakers ? " The absolute ruin that would fall on the country on the withdrawal of the British cord which binds the bundle of sticks together, is well described. It must not, however, be supposed that Dr. Cust is blind to the evils and abuses of our rule, among which he mentions the "superb albocracy [a somewhat barbarous word, by-the-way], which seems to grow worse and worse." A third part of " Mis- sionary Papers " follows, and is full of varied interest. Not the least important are those which refer to Roman Catholic missions. It would be unfair, even if it were possible, to epitomise their contents, but they are certainly worth careful consideration.
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