A Student's Manual of the History of India. By Meadows
Taylor, C.S.I. (Longmans.)—This is a very valuable work of a man who is singularly well qualified for the task which he has undertaken. Many years ago, Mr. Meadows Taylor commenced his literary career by a book which created a great impression, "The Confessions of a Thug." since then he has published other works—few of our readers will have
failed to admire " Tara "—which show a profound study of Indian history, as well as what is still more, a remarkable knowledge of Indian life. In the volume before us, he is, in one sense, at a disadvantage.
41 A. manual " can scarcely be made attractive. And Mr. Meadows Taylor's special powers of picturesque description of Oriental scenery and subtle delineation of Oriental character find little or no room for exercise. At the same time, two thousand years or more of history has to be crowded into some eight hundred pages ; nor can skill avail for making attractive the long series of names and events, almost wholly unknown to the ordinary reader, which the historian of India has to deal with. But we may safely say that the author has done all
that could be done with his subject. As for the completeness of his
acquaintance with the facts, we do not profess competency to form a judgment. We doubt whether there even exist in this country the mate- rials for such a judgment. Bat of the arrangement of the book, of its general interest, and of its value to the student, we feel safe in speaking with high praise. The author begins with an excellent sketch of the phy- sical geography of India, its population, social life, religion, dm., and then
pursues the history from the earliest period, which indeed for practical historical purposes begins with the invasion of Alexander. The work is carried into the latest days, the last page heading being "The
Administration of Lord Mayo." A very copious index adds to the value of the work.
Previous page
