31 OCTOBER 1914, Page 23

The Historical Record of the Imperial Visit to India, 1911

(John Murray, 10s. 6d. net) makes a heavy volume in more senses than one. It is compiled from official papers, and illustrated with numerous photographs and a few coloured plates. Like most official narratives, it is overloaded with minute detail, which no doubt has to be recorded, but militates against readableness. But the central chapter on the great Durbar itself rises above this difficulty, and is a worthy memorial of one of the most amazing episodes in history.