The Rani of Pudukottai.

PUDUKOTTA is a small Native State in Madras with an annual revenue of about Rs. 12 lakhs. This territory was given to the first Raja in 1806 by the British in recognition of his services to the Company's campaigns against the French and Tipoo Sultan. The present Raja is the 6th in descent. He was for a long time living in Europe. He has now married an Australian lady, the daughter of Mr. Molley Fenk, Barrister. On his return to the State with his Rani, he was presented with an address of welcome and the minister remarked that the Raja's marriage was a union between east and west. The Raja himself in his reply explained that through his training and travels he had formed certain ideals as to the sort of help-mate that he could secure to give him a happy home and an intelligent Rani for the State to co-operate with him in the discharge of his responsibilities. "After much looking out and cogitation," said His Highness, "I found that it was impossible in the present state of our society to expect any approach to the standard I had formed, and that it be might necessary to sacrifice a little surface sentiment if my expectations were to be realized."