Another powerful monarch has fallen before the British arms in
Asia, almost without a struggle. Sir Jim.; KEANE, at the head of his refreshed troops, marched from Candithar at the close of May, and arrived before Ghoznee, the strongest fortified city of Cabool; on the 21st of July. On the 23d, this place, though defended bravely by a son of DosT MAnosien, Sovereign of Cabool, at the head of 3,500 Afghans, was carried by storm in two hours, instead of by protracted siege. This brilliant achievement appears to have con- vinced DosT Manoatinis soldiers and subjects that resistance was vain. A force of 13,000 men, the forlorn hope of their Prince, fled without waiting for the assault ; and SCHAD SIIODJAII entered Cabool at the head of his English allies, and was formally restored. to his throne.
The particulars of these decisive operations are recorded in Sir Sir JOHN KEANE'S despatches, from which we make copious tracts. The skill and vigour exhibited in the brief campaign are worthy of that General's veteran reputation. The consequences of his success will be felt throughout Asia ; and many treacherous tributaries and allies will now be eager to offer proofs of their fealty. Few were prepared for the rapidity with which the first ob- jects of the expedition have been secured ; and, whatever may be thought of the policy which planned the restoration of the exiled King of the Afghans, none will withhold the praise of masterly execution to the officers, civil and military, on whom the duty of carrying it out has devolved. The provident statesman, however, amidst all the triumphs of time present hour, has an eye for the future. The heavy expense, and consequent addition to the taxation of India, must not be for- gotten. Neither can it be hoped that without the constant sup-
port of the British arms, SCHAD S1100JAH will be able to maintain his authority in Afghanistan. He was expelled for his tyranny
and his vices ; and, forced upon his former subjects by the English for English purposes, he can never be popular. The virtual sove- reignty of Cabool and Candahar will reside with the President of the Board of Control, in Cannon Row, to whose Asiatic domi- nions a fearful extension has been given. Whether the security of the British frontier from the hostility of Russia and Persia—the alleged reason for the expedition—has been really obtained, or
whether the chances of collision with those powers have not been multiplied rather than diminished by the conquest of Afghanistan, are questions which the recent successes leave in statu quo.
Two expeditions against the Rajahs of Sandpore and Kernaul, who have dared to deal treacherously with the Governor-General and aid the foes of England, were in contemplation; and the Governor of Bombay had already deposed the Rajah of Sattara, within the limits of his control, for insubordination. Ile was arrested in his own palace by the British Resident at the head of a small body of troops ; and his brother proclaimed as his successor. In 1818, a Rajah had been removed to make room for him who has just been dethroned. At the death of the existing Rajah, the three of independence will be finished, and the territory be in- corporated with the Bombay Presidency.
