The abdication of Holkar, which was officially announced on January
31st, has relieved the Government of India from what might have become a most difficult, as well as distress- ing, situation. As the official account guardedly suggests, the state of the unfortunate Prince's health rendered his resignation inevitable, and it was performed at last with dignity and self-control. His successor is, of course, his son, a lad said to be of much promise, who will be trained for a few years by the Resident, Major Younghnsband, an officer far too able and too experienced to make the common mis- take of endeavouring to turn an Asiatic Prince into an imitation Englishman. That lad may have a great career. Next to the Sikhs, the Ifahrattas are the most active and hopeful nationality among Hindoos, and their future will depend in no small degree upon the leadership of their three powerful Princes, Holkar, Sindiah, and the Gaikwar of Baroda. The retired Prince will, it is understood, con- tinue to reside in stately seclusion on an estate about fifty miles from his capital, Indore.
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