The New York herald., 1879-03-07

October. Among those composing it was an astrono-
mer. NJ. Schwartz, and another person. "a savaIf.
whose name forget and who soon returned. md
way, owing the rapdity of the Colonels marches.
Roustok was the point the Colonel arrived at
with the intention of crossing the Amou-Daria.
and entering Afghanistan. 1t was there he
stopped by the Afghan soldier alluded to above;
aud the Bey, or Governor. who refused
had received from Cabu no special instructions con-
cerning them But leave to penetrate into the do
mains of Shere- Ali Khan came at last but meanwhile
the snow also made its appearance. rendering GER
tain passes impracticable The Colonel at the same
ready occupying the very positions he was anxious
to explore He then turned his steps westward
with the view Of seeking passage over the high
that these crests are both for Russians and English
alike insurinountable obstacles. NJ. Matwietf Aaving
the native escort which had been provided for him
took circuitous route, with the evident design or
binding him as to the true position of the point
named. Thanks to his compass the Colonel was not
long before detecting this maneuvre BY its aid
he took bearings which excited the curiosity OF the
lockers on prompted the question to what the
instrument could be that so clearly indicated the
road to be followed. NJ Schwartz. on his side. was
totally unable make the slightest astronomical OBJ
seryation, owing to the animosity OF the tribes.
They dared not wander any distance from their es-
cort without exposing themselves to certain death;
for besides the fact that the Ahans seek take the
life OF every Christian who sets foot ON their soil,
they Were at that very moment highly incensea
against the Russians for not coming to their assist
ance In short, the Colonel came back no wiser than
whey he started. The fundamental point therefore
remains that Afghanistan is impregnabe-an opinion
shared by the Afghans themselves. dined yester-
day with Abd-ul-Akman. whom Shere Ali dethroned
to rcign in his stead and when he heard that my OBJ
i,ct WAS 10 pass through his country he simply
piled by smile OF incredulity.
TORTURED FOR BRKAcH OF ETIQUETTE
If We are to form opinion concerning the man.
ners and customs of the Afghan from what we see
in the dominion of his neighbor the Ameer OF Box
happy monarch. to whom have already directed at
tention ono who deemed it proper for an Emir to
aye the head of Of his subjects struck of every
morning-that Asiatc who has mingled with the
Russians who has sent three of his children to
be educated in the corps OF the pages at St. Peters,
burg and who ought. il ever so little to have GER
tain gloss of ctvilizationlately bethought himself
OF new kind of torture such as never occurred to
the ingenious inquistors Of Philip H. of Spain. He
transformed small room OF his palace into q fur
mace, in which he confined the victim WHILE from
the outside the walls Made to attain
lasted three days when death delivered
the victim who was no less than the Grand Master
or the Ordnance. This high functionary had been
found guilty Of the crime of Use mCvesfe He must
have committed very serious offence, for what
ambassadors find it dfhcult to keep from eating
with their fingers even when seated at the same
table with Europeaas? was ately one ot sne
OF Bokhara who had come to Iashkend for instruc-
tion in the matter OF the reception to be given to
Shere Ali when he should pass through the Khanate
He did not appear to appreciate the Dill OF fare,
wherein no mention whatever was made of ''pi-
lau," the rice which he might have pressed between
his fingers, and he obstinately refused to quaif
drop Of wine even to the health of his master This
envoy went back the following day, and now every
thing is ready Tor the reception OF the Ameer from
whom no news has been obtained for the last fort
night other than what was contained in the letter
from the physician sent TO Tashkourgan III comph-
ance with Shere Alfs demand.
CENTRAL ASIAN POLITICS.
Notwithstanding the above communication the pro-
tracted silence Of General RasgonOf is beginning
once more to create anxiety. have said that his
silence is Of the "boils" of General Ksufmann.
whom found yesterday in close conference with the
Afghan pretender mentioned above-Abd- -Akman.
The sentiments expressed by the latter il reference
to Shere Ali such that in all probability General
Kaufman will foregO his previous intention OF
placing the usurped and the usurper in presence.
More tolerant than the Envoy from Bokhara Abdul
Akman did not refuse to drink champagne. He is
lean proportions and whose unkempt black
locks and rather neglected appearance recall
somewhat to mind the physiognomy OF Gsmbctta He
has gone back to Samarcand leaving General
Kaufmann bending his cards like gam
bier seated before opening hours in front or the
green baize, vainly awaiting the coming OF prob
lcmatical adversary. The military mathematician.
the strategst who foresees everything, the general
SO quick at securing victory fnds all his provisions
falsified and all his calculations useless Bot he
still goes on repeating them necessarily to himself,
still hoping against hope.
'that Roman rule which says:-One against ono
attack; against two-defend yourself; one
against three-run awayY Well. had also made
with the English. and believe it to be safe
1t is this:-Man to man shall beat the English.
With two Englishinen against Russian shall
beat them STILL and with three Englishmen against
one Russian shall continue to beat them
submit to the appreciation OF the diplomatists
throughout Europe at the present time these words
from the lips of soldier who is fdr from being bom-
bastic, and who in his boldest achievements never
left anything to hazard. The English. who have
long been keeping their eyes on him. know it we'll.
And the Emperor Alexander knows it too.