PREFACE.
The following pages were commenced at a time when it appeared as if the final stage of the rivalry between England and Russia in Central Asia had been reached. War between the two countries was held to be imminent. A Russian officer had come as ambassador to Cabul, in contravention of distinct pledges to the effect that no Russian ambassador should be sent. An English representative had been refused permission to proceed to Cabul. The Ameer was employed in fêting his Russian friends, and in dictating discourteous and semi-hostile letters to his English. The preparations for war were being pressed on with all possible speed in the Punjab and Bengal. There were bustle and activity perceptible on all sides, and rumour magnified the scope of the war and the intentions of the Home and Indian Governments.
