Serious news has arrived from Herat. A mutiny broke out
there on the 9th inst. in one of the Ameer's regiments, and five hundred men endeavoured either to seize the fortress or to escape. Theywere, however, attacked by their loyal comrades and de- feated, losing fifty of their number, while the remainder were taken prisoners. Their leaders were sent to Cabal, where their fate will be a terrible one. As the Russians are supposed to be still advancing towards Herat, this mutiny is in some quarters supposed to be due to their intrigues ; but it is, we believe, the better opinion that the men who revolted were Ghilzaies forcibly conscribed by the Ameer. His repeated seizures of the young men of this tribe for service in the Army are the main causes of the recent rebellious movements. We have given elsewhere some reasons for believing that he is not yet in dangerous straits, and we would warn our readers against believing telegrams either from Calcutta or Bombay. Calcutta knows no more of Afghanistan than London does, and Bombay relies upon information from native mercantile agents, who think a throne has fallen if a caravan is stopped. London will hear the news from Simla fast enough if there is any serious change in the situation.
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