Catalogue of MSS. in European Languages Belonging to the Library
of the India Office. Vol L, " The Mackenzie Collections," by C. 0. Blagden ; Vol. II., " The Orme Collection," by S. C. Hill. (Oxford University Press. 10s. fid. net and 12s. 6d. net.)—These scholarly catalogues will facilitate the use of the rich stores in the India Office library. Colonel Colin Mackenzie's MSS. relate to Java, where the collector was stationed in 1811-13 during the British occupation. Orme's MSS. are the materials that he used for his famous history, one of the great books that are more frequently quoted than read. Mr. Hill explains for the first time why Orme left his history of the British in India unfinished at the year 1761; he had offended nearly all the surviving officials and soldiers by his impartiality, and he was disgusted at the lack of scruple shown by many of the Company's servants, after Clive's day, in taking presents from natives and, like Josh Sedley, amassing fortunes with auspicious ease.
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