The author of Twenty Years on the North-West Frontier is
one of that great company of administrators—the Donald brothers and the late Sir George Roos-Keppel are others— who have been responsible for the peace of the Northern Marches of India. In his new book, Afghan and Pathan (Mitre Press, 8s.), Mr. George Scott tells us more of that austere but fascinating borderland that lies between Com- munist Russia and British India. Now that Afghanistan is a cockpit of contending factions, it is useful to know something about the clans that arc quarrelling over the throne of Kabul, and those other peoples—the Uruckzais (Lost Tribe) the Yusufzais (Sons of Joseph) and the Adam Khels--who have levied tribute since time immemorial from all the armies that have passed their way since the days of Alexander the Great. The Pathan is the Scotchman of India and has both the virtues and the vices of the highlander : one day (and sooner than we
think, perhaps) he may abandon his rifle for the pen of commerce and be an important factor in the development of the British Commonwealth. Mr. Scott knows his subject through and through and we can commend his book.
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