Caravan Journeys and Wanderings in Persia, Afghanistan, Turkistan, and Beloochistan (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Caravan Journeys and Wanderings in Persia, Afghanistan, Turkistan, and Beloochistan

At this point the following Narrative begins. It de tails with spirit and liveliness his journey through Persia till he reached the territories of Yar Mohamed; and here the more important part of the book commences, because henceforward the countries through which he passed are little known. There is probably no part of the world, not excepting the interior of Africa, which is so dangerous and inaccessible to the European traveller as Afghanistan and the countries of Central Asia. It is curious to read a Frenchman's account of Herat seven years after the celebrated siege, and four years after our evacuation of Afghanistan. It is satis factory to find from an impartial witness the respect in which the English name is still held in these countries, and the grateful remembrance which the people enter tain of the many acts of benevolence and kindness per formed by our distinguished countrymen while there.

The graphic account of the interviews of M. Ferrier with that shameless politician, but most able ruler, Yar Mohamed, will also be found characteristic and instructive.

From Hera't M. Ferrier tried to penetrate to Lahore by Balkh and Cabul, and here takes us over ground only partially known. Baffled in his attempt to pass, when at no great distance from Cabul, he strikes through the Hazarah country to the west by a route which no Afghan dare travel, and where no European had hitherto set foot, till he nearly reached the ancient town of Gour. Here he was again stopped, and sent back to Herat.

After resting from his labours, although warned of the danger of attempting it, he now set out to try and reach India through Southern Afghanistan, by Girishk and Candahar, and it is only wonderful, after reading his perilous adventures, to find that he was enabled to return alive from these inhospitable lands.

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