Page:Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol 2.djvu/36

4 morning temperature varied between 43° and 47°, and 66 degrees was commonly the maximum of the day ; while, in the house, 61° and 63 g were the extremes; and this temperature was during the first half of the month of May. This state of the atmosphere is far below that of Simla, but as there are no periodical rains, the sum- mer heat increases till August ; and, notwithstanding that, Baber talks of sleeping throughout the year with a pustin : in the dogdays, the air is warm enough to make the tops of the houses a comfortable place of rest. Kabul, like Kanawar, is indebted for its fine climate and luxuriant gardens to the aridity of its atmosphere, and to irri- gation. The snowy range, that lies on the north-west, contains within its ramifications many thousand orchards, from which all the dried fruits that fill the bazars of India are supplied. The majestic rhubarb grows there wild, and its succulent stem is one of the luxuries of every house ; it has a grateful acidity. Fresh snow fell frequently upon the neighbouring mountains, but none of the peaks appeared to attain a greater height than 16,000 feet. The summits of the true Hindu Kush were visible on the north, like heaps of pure snow. Macartney is out at least 20 miles in his latitude of Kabul, which is too low. Rennel's position of it, and also of Kashmir and Kandahar, will be found most correct. Burnes took the elevation of the pole, and it is close upon 34^°. The barometer showed a little above 24 inches, and water boiled at 202°. I need not mention our treatment by Jabar Khan, whose character is so well known. Common words would not express the friendly attentions he heaped upon us. He is much too good a man to be connected with the family : his whole pride of distinction is in charitable actions, and a modest, but confident demeanour of person. Of his brother, Dost Muhammed Khan, we have every reason to speak with the greatest respect and satisfaction. He is diminutive in stature, with a common face, which you would pass a dozen times without re- mark, and fail to distinguish in a mob. He has no state ; a single atten- dant follows him, who is generally the best dressed of the two, and a stranger, fresh from an European or Indian court, would mistake one for the other. His habits correspond with his appearance, and every thing about him partakes of the simplicity of character that raises him above the multitude. It is in conversation, when his countenance becomes brightened with intense animation, that the mind of the chief developes itself, and evinces his intellectual power with the happiest effect.

"The Russian Church is held in high estimation at Kabul, and the Kabulis meet with much attention from the subjects of the Autocrat,