AFGHANISTAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1641, 20 August 1887, Page 3

AFGHANISTAN

A correspondent of the "Journal dea Dobats >s sends the following accouut of the Ameer of Afghanistan, which is Interesting and sufficiently correct to merit notice; — " Abdurrahman m the first part of his oareer was a Boldior ; when he was raised to the A meet ship he became a bnreauorat, a new 1 6!e for on Afghan ruler, and one not likely to be popular. Two days a week he devotes to his 00. racpondence — M inday for that with the Upper country (tlerat, Candahar, etc.), Thursday for that with the Lower country (Cabu', Peshawur, and India.) Ou Tuesday he holds hie military | durbar and receives the officers of the garrison, all of whom dine with him. It i Is also the day of private reception. On Wednesday and Saturday be administers justice, and admts the publio to his presence, even to the last beggar. P. day is treated ai Sunday Is m London — all the bazaars, ehopß, and the Palace itself are cloaec, the moaqu^a alone remaining open, Sunday i> devoted to the Anieer\j private affairi. The two roost important days are Wednesday and Svurday, for the Ameer ig above all a dispenser of justice, fie dispenses it with his hand on tbe hilt of his Bwofd. Highway robbers are brought before him, and ha hears the charge. Then he says one or two things: — ' Bekouthid,' and they out their throats; or ' Gargara kouoid,' and they lead them off to be hung. Tf an artlole is lost on the road no one ia allowed to pick it up. If anyone does so his hand is cut off The Ameer has only one wife, Bibl Malika or the Queen, but he has 101 oonoubines o*lled kan'z. By the Queen he has no children (they died), but he, his- fi*e by four of the kaniz. The eldest, Habibulah, ii sixteen years of age, and m default of a legitimate incoesaor is the heir appareut. He was recently married to the daughter of Mahomed Ameen. Brigadier of Cabul, »n officer, despite his high title, possessing no authority, The Ameer is writing his memoirs, beginning with his ninth year, and he is now 42 They will be full of interest if the GhUzila vrillj only allow him to finish them "