ranges, between the Kuram and the Gomal route; and, lastly, those Belooch tribes which lie between that road and the Bolan. Before entering into a detailed description of these tribes, it may be well to mention that the Mahabun mountains, north-west of Peshawur, and the Bozdar country, north of Dera Ghazi Khan, the ranges immediately contiguous to our frontier, are peopled by thirteen different clans, whose conduct has necessitated no fewer than thirty separate punitory expeditions.

Commencing, then, with the first section, we have the Jadoons, the Bonairs, the Swatis, the Ranazais, and Mohmands, lying along our border; in rear of them are the Bajawaris, the Ningraharis, and Shinwarris: in the aggregate these muster no less than 60,000 fighting men. Against the five first we have undertaken nine. separate wars.

Between the Khyber and the Kuram are the Afridis, the Orakzais, the Turis, Zaimukts, Jazis, Chamkanis, Mangals, and Ghilzais; these latter, indeed, form a backing to all the clans from Jellalabad to the western end of the Gomal, and can probably put 50,000 men in the field, the remaining five being of about the same strength.

From the Kuram to the Gomal lie contiguous to our frontier the large Vaziri tribe, which numbers at least 40,000 men, indifferently armed, but dashing, gallant fellows. Behind them lie the Jadrans, Khostwals, Dawaris, Gurbuz, numbering perhaps 30,000, and in rear again the Ghilzais.

South of the Gomal we have the various Belooch clans of Bozdars, Kasranis, Sheoranis, Osteranis, Ketrans, Lagharis, Maris, and Bugtis, and behind them the large Afghan tribe of Kakars: these may be computed at

d

100,000 men. All these tribes are nominally subjects of the Ameer, but there are few from whom he collects revenue, none whose territory he dare enter for that purpose unaccompanied by a powerful force. He has fortified posts in the Mohmand, Shinwarri, Khost, Kuram, Ghilzai, and Kakar territory, the residences of Deputy-governors, who annually, at the head of a force, perambulate the country, screwing out the taxes from the scowling Pathan.

These tribes differ but little in their natural characteristics; the northern clans are fairer in complexion and more powerful in build than the southern. They are also, as a rule, more friendly to our rule, and at first sight more open-hearted, frank, and honest. It is, however, impossible to trust any one of them, and a description of one suffices for all. They are, as a rule, fine athletic men, whose springy steps and proud, defiant mien, denote their mountain origin; lean, hardy, and muscular; they have long gaunt faces, high cheek-bones, prominent noses, and dark complexions. They are brave in action, fearless in the defence of their homes, make as a rule good soldiers, though, in common with all Orientals, are apt to break away directly a flank attack against them is developed.

Such, then, is a brief description of the tribes, and of our connexion with them. Since we first became neighbours, the whole of these, if the scheme of rectification of our frontier be carried out by the retention of Kandahar, will be swept within our boundaries, and become subjects of our own. Whether a closer acquaintance with us and the justice of our rule will lead them to tolerate or even welcome us as conquerors, or whether it will convert them into more inveterate foes,

is still an open question; but the balance of opinion inclines to the fact, that ere we persuade them to enlist in our service they will learn to know the difference between our justice and the tyranny of their former oppressors.

Kandahar is the ancient capital of the Durani Empire and the burial-place of their kings, and is situated between the Argandab and Turnak rivers, 89 miles south-west of Khelat-i-Ghilzai, and 144 north-west of Quetta. It is built on a level plain

well covered with cultivation. The town is surrounded by lofty mud walls, with large circular towers at the flank, a deep and wide ditch adding to its strength. Though nearly four miles in circumference, it is stated by Bellew, who lived there nearly six months, and has twice visited it, to contain not more than 20,000 houses. These are generally built of sun-dried bricks and have flat roofs, though some of the dwellings of the richer classes are covered with chunam-a glistening white plaster, which in the distance gives them the appearance of marble. The tomb of Ahmed Shah, an octagonal structure overlaid with coloured porcelain bricks and surmounted by a golden dome surrounded by small minarets, is the most striking building in the city, and attracts the eye of the traveller from afar.

The trade between Kandahar and Herat is carried on by Persians, who bring down silk, copper, weapons of all sorts, horses, and carpets, taking back felts, skins, and camels'-hair cloaks. The Povindahs, or nomad Ghilzai tribes, carry on the trade with Hindostan by the Gomal and Bolan Pass.

From the latest accounts we have of the city given in the following letters it cannot be considered a power

ful fortress; the weakness of the parapets and small dimensions of the ditch would cause a besieger provided with a siege train but little trouble. Its strategic value, however, is great: being the first and only place of any strength, or where supplies in any quantity could be obtained between Herat and the Indus, it naturally is regarded with a jealous eye by all who look upon an extension of our frontier as desirable. Sir Henry Durand drew up a very able memorandum connected with the defence of this city.

Cabul, the capital of Afghanistan, is 103 miles from Jellalabad, 88 from Ghuzni, and 318 from Kandahar; it is situate near the junction of the Cabul and Logar rivers, at the western extremity of a spacious plain, in an angle formed by the approach of two ridges of hills; these completely encompass it on three sides, the fourth only being open, whence the roads from Ghuzni and Jellalabad approach the city. Its elevation is 6396 feet. The hills completely overlook the city, there being only a narrow path between the city wall and their base. These hills are steep, bare, and rocky, and crowned with a long line of wall, having round towers occurring at regular intervals, which is carried up their nearly perpendicular sides, along their summits, and across the narrow entrance that lies between them. This wall was intended as a defence against the Ghilzais, and shut up all entrance from the west; but it has been allowed to fall into ruin.

The town of Cabul is in length, from east to west, about a mile; and in breadth, from north to south, half a mile. It is surrounded by a high but weak mud wall, and has no ditch. East of the town, and separated from it by a ditch, on the top of a rocky eminence, stands the

fortress of Bala Hissar; and on the slope of this acclivity are situated the king's palace and gardens, with an extensive bazaar, surrounded by a wall and ditch, and separate from the city. Above the fortress, upon an eminence overlooking not only the fortress itself, but the level all around it, is the citadel, and within this fort a brother of Dost Mahomed built a palace which he called Koolah-i-Feringee, or the European Hat; and which, very curiously, became, during the British occupation in 1839, the hospital of the 13th Light Infantry.

The population, according to Burnes, consists of 60,000 souls. The Cabul river, which enters at the north of the gorge from the west, flows eastward, close under the northern wall; and a rich slip of meadow land, covered with gardens, rises up from its northern bank to the base of the hills on that side, increasing in breadth as the river flows eastward.

Herat, the capital of one of the most important, and certainly the richest, district in Afghanistan, is commonly called 'The Key of India.' It is situated in a fertile and well-watered valley, about thirty miles in length and fifteen miles in breadth. The city is nearly square in shape, surrounded by a lofty mound of earth from forty to fifty feet in height, and of immense thickness, surrounded by a brick wall about twenty feet high. Outside all is a wet ditch. Each face is about a mile in length; thus the city occupies nearly a square mile of ground, and its population is estimated at 50,000 souls, who are mostly Shiahs. Vambery gives an amusing account of the various races to be seen in the bazaarAfghans, Hindoos, Tartars, Turkomans, Persians, and Jews. Every one carries weapons, and to be in the