CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 51 



The Governor-General expressed " his entire and unqualified appro- 

 bation" of Mr. Burnes's conduct, and declared his intention of entering 

 into immediate negociations for opening the waters of the Indus to 

 British commerce. 



ITiis river, it would seem, is navigable to a distance of nearly 

 1000 miles from the sea, and has seldom less than 15 feet of water, 

 even in the dryest seasons. The chief danger seems to be at its 

 mouth ; when the tides ebb and flow with considerable violence at the 

 time of the full moon. Our traveller, therefore, recommends that the 

 steam boats intended to sail upon its bosom should be built without 

 keels, to diminish the risk of grounding. Mooltan (the capital of the 

 Molli of Alexander, at least so says our author) might thus be reached 

 in 20 days, instead of 40, which is the time now required ; and a new 

 field thereby opened for the increase of British industry, in climes where 

 the very name of Englishman is even now almost unknown. 



The actual territories of the Maharaja comprise the whole of the 

 Punjab : and so entirely, says Mr. Burnes, has he altered the constitution 

 of the Seik nation, that he has succeeded in converting into an absolute 

 monarchy that which was originally a pure republic. — But his power can 

 hardly be expected to last beyond his own reign. 



" He has a disciplined army of infantry, with a due proportion of cavalry and 

 artillery. The system is unpopular, and the Seik Sirdars view with distrust the 

 innovation and the innovators. The French officers, when deprived of their patron, 

 would find it necessary to stand aloof, from motives of personal safety ; and if 

 they left the country the wreck of their labours would perish in the general 

 tumult." Vol. iii. p. 296. 



We must here bid adieu to Lieut. Burnes for the present ; in a follow- 

 ing number we will conclude our notice by a short sketch of the first and 

 second volumes, containing the narrative of his journey into Bokhara. 



The History of Evesham, its Benedictine Monastery, Conventual Church, 

 existing Edifices, Municipal Institutions, Parliamentary Occur- 

 rences, Civil and Military Events. By George May. May, 

 Evesham ; and Whittaker and Co. London, 1834. 



This work has been on our reviewing list for some weeks, but literary 

 matter, long in our possession, which would admit of no further pro- 

 crastination, has so fully occupied our pages, that we have been hitherto 

 unable to direct the necessary attention either to this publication or to 

 others of no less local interest. 



Literary eminence is not attained by a coup-de-main — it is the result 

 only of assiduous and untiring application, of severe study, of a correct 

 taste, of apt discrimination, of a sound judgment, of an inventive 

 imagination, and of a mind totally abstracted from the petty scenes and 

 annoyances of life. In the race of literary fame, numerous as are the 

 competitors, how few reach the desired goal ! If all aspirants for lettered 

 distinction, however, do not attain the point of eminence for which they 

 strive — there are many who are satisfied with such knowledge as may 

 render them useful — and to be useful is no slight distinction either in 

 letters or in the arts. Of this description of writers is the author of 

 "The History of Evesham." He has evidently, at considerable pains 

 and with much unwearied assiduity, sought and obtained for his subject 

 all the information practicable, from the most authentic sources, and has 

 very skilfully woven his materials into an interesting local history. 



It will scarcely be credited, but such is the fact, that no history, not 

 even a guide of the meanest description, of this interesting portion of 



