In the midst of all this, where is that most
wretched of man- kind, "our ally," Yakoob Khan, in whose name we are fighting, whose flag has been superseded in his own capital, and whose palace is occupied by the General and his staff P Nothing is eaid of him, except that be pleaded illness as an excuse for not witnessing the formal ceremony. He is, we may presume, in his palace, sullenly regretting the day when he signed the Treaty of Gandarauck. If he had refused, had defended his
country to the end, and had then been taken prisoner, he would have been better off than he is now. General Roberts did not mention him in his speech, a direct order was given by the British General to the Afghan Sirdars to attend a ceremonial on the following day, and Yakoob Khan is apparently no more considered than his own pipe-bearer. We presume, therefore, that he will be set aside, either as un- faithful or incompetent ; but this should have been done at once. His position is the weak place in General Roberts's arrangements. An armed population called on for its arms, a feeble though strongly-posted army .of occupation, thousands of Hillmen within reach, and a Sovereign not deposed and raging with humiliation,—there is a magazine of mischief there.
