Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-11-24
AFFcHANISTAN.

We believe that Aflghanistau has been bat par
tally known to the English themselves, Jill with
In the last eight or ten years. Though the seat Of
many great events in ancient periods Of history,
it is now said to be inhabited by a wild and un-
civilized race. The mountain passes are filled
with robbers, and the mass Of the popu,ation are
fierce and ireacherous. The country that bears
the general name OF AHghanistan is quite extern
sive, Occupying the greater part of the space be-
tween liindostan and Persia beiny about eight
or nine hundred miles in length, cas-, and west,
and FIVE or six hundred in breadth, north and SOUTH
IL Is watered by the Indus and it's branches. The
northern portion IA mountainous, and exhibits the
variety oil climate within a small compass which
Is peculiar - mountain regions. Caubul. or Ca
bool, ar Cabul, as it is differently sneHed. and
Jellalabad between which the destruction of the
British army was effected, are near the northern
boundary. They are about ninety miles apart,
almost In line east and west upon Cabu river
Cabui being farlhest west and mos, elevated
Between the TWO, and about twenty-five miles
west OF Jellalabad is the boundary between the
hot and cold regions; the country thence becomes
rough and, hazardous along the mountain passes,
from frost and snow during half the year, and
from the lawless and ferocious character Of the
population at all times.
Cabu' is noisy and busting city, situated at
an elevation OF 5000 feet, or III 900 as another
auinorty has 1t, above the level of the sea. j; is
place OF great trade, and contains Co 600 inhab-
itan,s. The natives say il is COCO years old, and
the popular belief is that when Satan was cast
out OF heaven he fell in Cabul. The snow lasts
for five months Of the year. but the remainder Of
the season Is delightful, and the fruits and flowers
are abundant. The passes between this city aad
Jelalabad are occupied by predatory bands of
mountaineers.
.Jallalabad is dirty town with regular popu-
auon OF about 1900 residents; but in the cold
season the people flock to il from the surrounding
villages. Between that town and Cabul is the
| mo 81 -
petual snow, on which the AHghans believe the
ark OF Noah to have rested after the deluge. Not
many miles distant the natives point out the tomb
OF Lamech, the father of Noah.
Tho Ahghans call themselves "Deni Israel"
calldren oil Israel, yet consider the term Jew to be
one OF reProach. they say they were Transplant
ted by Observation-Disclosures, after the overthrow OF
the temple, 10 the neigh1orhood of Bameean, a
town west of Cabul. and lived as Jews till they
were converted to Mohammedansm. They have
all the appearances Of Jews, and retain the He
brew custom OF the younger brother marrying the
widow oil the elder. The question of their des-
cent Is, however. considered doubtful one.
Shah Shooja, whose name is conspcuously
mentioned IN the newspaper accounts Of the mas
sacre, is the uncle of Shah kamraun, an afghan
monarch, having his capital at ilerat, nearer the
borders Of khorassan. This Kamraun, some
/ years since, put TO death his Nizier Futteb Khan
IN ht OF jealousy. Upon this the brothers of
the |izier rcbelled, and succeeded in gaining
possession OF great part OF the afghan empire.
| british troops We're introduced into the coun-
try Their alliance was courled by Shah KAN
raun, prince as weak as cruel, or by his uncle
Shah Shocja, and the proposed object has been to
resist the Just Indignation of the brothers Of the
'izer and TO rensla,e the authority of the ancient
monarch. Candahar, a city with abou. GO, 600
inhabitants, situated southeast from Ierat and
southwest from Cabu, and about equally distant
from each city, is one Of the principal places pos
sessed by the brothers. Cabul was another of
their cities.
In 1923 this country was penetrated by Brit
isf gentleman named Stirling, who gave it as his
opinion that European army would meet with
insuPerable difficulties in attempting to invade
The afghan territories. Our facts are chiefly
gained from the notes Of Lieutenant Burnes, who
IN adc similar journey two three wears after
wards.-[ National .Egis.