CURRENT LITERATURE.
The Administration of the Marquis of Lansdowne. By George W. Forrest, B.A. (Office of Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta.)—A useful volume this, if only to show the vast variety of interests which the Viceroy of India has to consider and, as far as possible, to safeguard. "A guiding principle," writes Mr. Forrest, "of Lord Lansdowne's internal policy was the promotion of a systematic inquiry into the facts and circumstances of the Empire." Facts are an excellent foundation of action, and Lord Lansdowne's action was very varied. Famine he had, we may say, of course to relieve. The law of marriage was reformed, the legislative councils were reconstituted, the Presidential Army system abolished, the Indian Mints closed, the 4i per cent. Loan converted, a mission sent to Afghanistan—and these are only a few of the things he has done. And yet Lord Lansdowne's tenure of office was not eventful beyond the average.
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