The Amir of Afghanistan was entertained at a State banquet
by the Viceroy on Friday week, and proposed Lord Minto's health in cordial terms. On the following day he witnessed a review of thirty thousand troops at Agra. Two entire divisions, mobilised for war—including three rifle brigades, two Gurkha and one British—marched past en masse with the Maharajah of Gwalior at the head of one of the cavalry regiments, and the display closed with a gallop of the horse artillery and cavalry in review order. In the evening a Chapter of the Indian Orders, largely attended by Indian chiefs, was held at the Palace Fort, and the Amir was invested with the Grand Cross of the Bath by Lord Minto. On Monday he visited the military camps and witnessed a sham fight. The Amir is reported to be well pleased by his reception. One does not look for effusiveness in an Oriental potentate, but the words used by him at the banquet were all the more impressive by reason of their simplicity. "I am very glad," he said, " that the first occasion on which I have left my home has been to come to my friend's house, and I hope and sincerely trust from my heart that I have found a personal friend for myself and for my Government, and I am very highly pleased!'
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