The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-02-05
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UNIQUE, PERSONALITY

5S LONDON, Feb. 4.
The dispatch by the government Of In
dia Of a political mission To Kabul under
Il an official OF the indian Foreign Office
\ notably to influence the Amer in the d.
rection of pro British policy and to 7!
Scountcract any designs OF Russia, and the
! arrival in India, on & visit TO the Viceroy.
or Prince Hablbullah's son, have \ once
again directed public attention to Afghan
istan and 10 tho interesting personality
Of the Ameer. z, 5
TO be up to date in all the newest
& things is always the Amecr's 1lndcavor,
and there are few OF the latest inventions
{ in lamps. stoves, Photographs, gramrro-.
d phones, cycles, etc. that are not to be
Z found in his private stores. ,i
THE Ameer is particularly fond Of driv--5
Z ing lii his motor car. Before submitting
his person to the nercySof the chauffeur.
the latter Is made TO show his skill on
the narrow paths and sharp corners OF
the Arak Garden. where he Is put through
a an examination by the Amer at once
severe and searching saaA{Ss3
Further the chauffeur. on all occasions
when driving his royal master, has the
+ comforting assurance that any accident.
4 will certainly be put down to design. and
+ then his own Imagination can supply the
rest without in any way exceeding the
probable subsequent events which would
concern him Gintimntel s III
The Amer, although stout map, Is
y fond. ofAnthlatics and gymnastics and IN
the summer months he often plays cricket
I. with the princes and others or his person
al staff, cricket and tennis being thconly
y English games he INDUCES In. It need
i II hat ',,In A 4.
y batting it Is not etiquette (nor, Indeed, Is
t.jgood nolicy) to bowl him balls which
give no chance of slogginE, at which he
Is rather an adept sending some balls
well out Of bounds. unless, fss sometimes
a happens. they are stopped by the person
Of a young attendant whose attention Is
for the moment elsewhere. a 55j
Fond Of Hawking. 8
Hawking is an ancient Afghan sport
n, and, although not so popular as It once
vas still holds its own The Amcer
y usually has his falcons with him when
\ out shooting, to fly at wounded birds; but
u on some days he VIII mount horse, and,
Is accompanied by his falconers, go away
y into the neighborng hills There. riding
b over seemingly ina ccessble places, he en-
Joys himself In tho manner OF his fore
fathers, j,'ani flushing partridge. grouse
or. blue pigeon. let's fly his falcon at. them.
u 'Ihes Amer seems lnSenSlDlc To- LhllBuG
on these occasions. and traverses long
81 distances, returning to Kubul In the
evening; but those with him whose sport
Ing Instincts are perhaps not SO keen as
to override mere bodily fatigue very often
hang Imply in The saddle on the return
journey. 4!
Travel Without Ostentation.
Although tho ANGER on no occasion
goes out without large number of
guards attending him, such being deemed
beatting tho rank and dignity OF king,
q he Will often. when going shooting or
q for his own pleasure, travel with as 1T
tle ostentaton as possible 5o
Y He IL very fond of driving In q dogcart
accompanied by some highly favored off
cial and Will In his way drive out to one
OF his summer palaces and spend tho
evening thcre-all his residences being
kept ready for use \: any moment--or no
q will drive out to one Of his shooting
grounds. which are strictly reserved for
himself. A large number OF pack horses
and mules always follow the Ameer when
n he goes out, carrying tents. cooking uten-
sils, food and all other things necessary
4 for two or three days stay. SHOULD
the Amer choose TO do so instead OF re-
turning to the city that day. When out
shooting he not inrrequently camps on
the ground there when the bag Is good.
&, in order to enjoy frrihcr sport In the
morning. fe rt.sE A.Vf