The Times publishes a biography of Abderrahman Khan, who may
soon be the strongest claimant for the Afghan throne. He is the son of Afzul Khan, elder brother of Shere Ali, and, according to English ideas of primogeniture, natural successor to Dost Mahommed. In 1865 he rebelled and seized Balkh, and in 1866 seized Cabul and proclaimed his father Ameer. Afzul was recognised by the Indian Government, and obeyed by the greater part of the country, but took to drinking, and became unpopular, and on his death Abderrahman found himself obliged to recog- nise his uncle, Shere Ali, as Ameer. He rebelled, however, once more at Balkh, but was twice defeated by Yakoob Khan, who thus earned the reputation of a soldier, which he has now so completely survived. Abderrahman fled into Russia, where he received a pension of 23,000 a year, which he has diligently saved. He is now, it is believed, at Balkh, where a former sup- porter rules, and will, it is believed, endeavour to organise an army, and make another great effort for the throne. He is a good soldier, and his life shows him to be a man of will and decision, whom it would be well to recognise as Ameer. Un- fortunately, he has resided in Russia ; and English Tories believe Russians to be so attractive, that any one who has resided with them remains always pro-Russian. We poor English are not so fortunate, if the history of Azimoollah, who massacred us at Cawnpore, can be trusted.
