1 MODE OF TRAVELUNCf.
2 and often pressed each other in Pushtoo to begin, befbfe wayoM eodld
3 , be found to undertake it. At leDgth they began at a great distanee^
4 talked of their confidence in us, and thtnr wish to consult with
5 and at last delicately hinted at their own wants : in reply to which,
6 I spoke with respect and interest of their nation, and assured them of
7 our sincere wishes for its proaperity, but pointed out in plain terms,
8 the objections which existed to our taking part in ihoii {i<inie8tic
9 quarrels, and remarked the advantage which an ami )i I ious and de-
10 signing state might derive from an opposite line of condiK t . Ahmed
11 Khaun (whose arrangements with the enemy must now have been
12 completf tl) could not let slip this opportunity of showing his Zealand
13 his A%hauii bluntness, and lie began a pressing and even a sarcastic
14 speech, but he w;is immediately silenced by the rest, who changed
15 the subject at once, lamented the disorders of the kingdom, which
16 prevented our having been received with all the honours that were
17 due, and our enjoying the pleasures which their country afforded ; and
18 dus ccmvautiaa hded till we btoke up. - Afier thiB I wai no ku^gar
19 impoitiiiied by any body^ but I peraeiTed no ^liiniimfjffq In the atleii*
20 tion or hoepitality of tiie oouit ^
21 • It may be iiit<*n?sUng to know how an Euroi)ean traveller would succeed in this
22 country, and the following is my opinion on the subject. In most parts of the Afghana
23 oooDtry, a poor stranger would be receired with kindneaa and hospitality, hut a wealthy
24 ttsvdler, that vcntnrad widioat proper CMorti, into any put oat of the imnMiThliii wapti^
25 intendancc of the King, might !nv hh account with Vising plundered. In rotintrirs under
26 the King> he would be tt& from open pluiKier, but even in the capital, he niigltt be
27 flxpOMd to the cartortkn and opptwioni of die ottom of gofonmaiL Hii mSatt «qr
28 would be to travel as a nwrciiairt with a caravan ; b«t the example of Mr. Footer, ute
29 neither wanted enterprise nor curiosity, and who was well aoquaint4:Ki with a Inrifnin^
30 ^token over the whole country, will show how little pleasure could be <krive(l trom that
31 node of travdlHiig. The chiiracter of an ambasaador alone could ghre a ridi mmagtt
32 A confuifiit hf>j>f» of safKy: and even hi- cnirity would probably depend on the disposi-
33 tion of llie iiiUividuals at the head ol the goTcniBiaitt £]^)erictioe has shewn that ii|
34 Am ««gn of Shanli Shtgm, and the adiiuiiMtntSan of Aknm JChaon, a ftragn nuniiler
35 would be treated not only witli good bith, but with delicacy; but whether the privilegt^
36 of a public guest would protix t a similar agent from the Ixjld and iinprittciplad obkfc <|f
37 |he opposUe party, remains to be proved, and appears to me very doubtlui.
38 Digrtized by Googl