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 CHAPTER V

Private Secretary to Lord Auckland, 1838-1842

On January 6 we find Lord Auckland writing to Sir John Hobhouse: 'Burnes is well established at Kábul, with only this disadvantage, that he can hardly hope that Dost Muhammad will be satisfied with anything that would not be offensive to Ranjít Singh; and yet he ought to be satisfied that he is allowed to remain at peace, and is saved from actual invasion. But he is reckless, and intriguing, and will be difficult to keep quiet, as are the other Afgháns, and Sikhs, Herátees, Russians and Persians. It is a fine embroglio of diplomacy and intrigue, with more of bluster than of real strength anywhere. Yet it is impossible not to feel that the East and West are drawing sensibly nearer to each other.' The Governor-General of India probably began to wish that the burden of securing India against attack should be transferred to Cabinet shoulders. 'It is in Europe and in Persia,' wrote the Private Secretary to Captain Burnes on January 21, 'that the battle of Afghánistán must probably