1 £52
2 CHARACTEB.
3 Ibejr «ra aJI kind to their Immediate dependents, of whateTer na-
4 tion or religion, but the cam is different with people who are under
5 their authority, without being personally connected with them. The
6 countries which are completely subdued, as Cashmcpr and the pro-
7 vinces on the Imhis, suffer mudi from tfif r;ipnritv of individuals,
8 and if they do not often undergo the extremes of tyrainiv. it onh
9 because wanton cruelty and insol^ice are no part of the A%haun
10 character.
11 Their independence and pretensions to (Mnialitv make fheni view
12 the elevation of their neighbours with jealuuNV, ami conuimnicates a
13 deep tintre of envy to their disposition. Tlie idea tliat thev are
14 neglected und passed over, while their equal?* are atteiuled to, will
15 lead them to renounce a frieudship oi' long standing, or a party to
16 which they have been zealously attached. Unless, however, they
17 meet with particular wrongs or insults, they are said to be fidthibl in
18 fikndtiiip onoe ftnned, md mindiiil of fimiun>-if not eAced by
19 •nbieqtient slights. I cm anawer for tfaie peculiaiily in tlieir chareo*
20 ter, thit the^ will do any tlung tbat ia wanted of them with much
21 more Mel, if a present is made to them in advance^ thn if it ii witb*
22 hdd in the hope of quickening them by expectancy.
23 ' Itma^ befoioiocp htm their cwtoms, which moke private levei^
24 a duty, tbat th^ wiU kmg retain tiie lemembiaaoe of iiguriea i but
25 this ia tme only such serious injuries as thcg^ are bound-in honour
26 to retaliate ; in tMn of less ooosequenee^ they are neither iirilable
27 nor impJaoble.
28 I know no people in Asia who .have Jfewer vices, or are lesa volup-
29 tnous or debauched; but thia ia most remarkable in the west : the
30 people of towns are acquiring a taste for debauchery, end those in
31 the north-east of the country, are alreao^ fiur from bong pure. The
32 A%hauns themselves complain of the corruption of manners, and of
33 the dedine of sincerity and good faith, and say that dieir nation is
34 assimilating to the Persians. Their sentiments and conduct towards
35 tliat nation, greatly resemble those which we discovered some years
36 igo towards the French. Their national antipathy, and a stioiig
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