1 54
2 INTRODUCTION.
3 koi'Up by the LiiAum, who enlarged on its beauties, and then eniime-
4 rated every province in His Majesty's extended domini<)ina» pratnng
5 arid magnifying each, but giving Caubul the preference over them alL
6 Hie King smiled at the InvHun^s harangue, and said it shewed hit
7 potiaHty for his native country. He ^en said lie hoped we should
8 see Guibul and all his terntoiies» which were now to be considered as
9 oar owni He then made some enquiries respecting the places I liad
10 fleen ; after which, he told Mr. Strachey, he understood he had been
11 in Persia, and asked him some questions respecting that country.
12 Daring this conversation, n eiiinirh brouglit in I lis Majesty's cuUeaun.
13 T nvvev saw uny thing more nui^rnilicent : it was of p-oM, cnainclled,
14 and richly set wit li jewels. Tht- jmrt where the tobacco wus placed,
15 was in the sliujjc of" a peacock, about the size ot a pigcHjt), with plum-
16 age of jewels and enamel. It was late at night when tlic Jniaunigave
17 us a hint to withdraw. We were let out as we came in ; and return-
18 ed through the town, winch wai* now quiet and silent. This inter-
19 view with the Shauh, made a very lavoiuabk impression on us. It
20 will scared} be believed of an Katitera monarch, how much he luid
21 the manners of a gentlenuuii or how well he preserved his digiiily,
22 while he seemed only anxious to pleaae.
23 Tin oar presentation to' the King was Gver» none of the gentlemen
24 of the miBsion went bat, except once to an entertainment $ but after
25 that time we generally rode dbout the ooantiy far tome horn in
26 the mocningi and evenings ; and, as we abo went to different parts of
27 the town to wait on the great men who had visited me» we soon be-
28 came well acquainted with F^shawer and its environs. .
29 The plain» in ^diich the city is situated* is nearly drcnUuv and about
30 thirty-five miles in diameter* Except for a small space on the Eastt
31 it is suiTounded widi mountains, of which the lai^ of the Indian
32 Qsucasns on the north, and the Peak of 8u£bidooh on thesputb^esti'
33 are the most conspicuous. The northern part is divided by three
34 branches of the Canbnl riA er, wliich unite before they leave the plain*
35 It -is also watered by the rivulets of Barra and Budinib which flow
36 from the mountains to the river of Caubul.
37 Digitized by Google