he Amir. May God make his life long and increase his wealth!
I shall always remember his royal hospitality. I am busy day and
night in his affairs, and, thank God, my labours have not been
without result. The great Emperor is a true friend of the Amir's
and of Afghanistan, and His Majesty will do whatever he may think
necessary. Of course, you have not forgotten what I told you,
that the affairs of kingdoms are like a country which has many
mountains, valleys, and rivers. One who sits on a high mountain
can see things well. By the power and order of God, there is no
empire equal to that of our great Emperor. May God make his life
long! Therefore, whatever our Government advises you, you should
give ear to it. I tell you the truth that our Government is wise
as a serpent and harmless as a dove. There are many things which
you cannot understand, but our Government understands them well.
It often happens that a thing which is unpleasant at first is
regarded as a blessing afterwards. Now, my kind friend, I inform
you that the enemy of your famous religion wants to make peace
with you through the Kaisar (Sultan) of Turkey. Therefore you
should look to your brothers who live on the other side of the
river. If God stirs them up, and gives the sword of fight into
their hands, then go on, in the name of God (Bismilla), otherwise
you should be as a serpent; make peace openly, and in secret
prepare for war, and when God reveals His order to you, declare
yourself. It will be well, when the Envoy of your enemy wants to
enter the country, if you send an able emissary, possessing the
tongue of a serpent and full of deceit, to the enemy's country, so
that he may with sweet words perplex the enemy's mind, and induce
him to give up the intention of fighting with you.

My kind friend, I entrust you to the protection of God. May God be
the protector of the Amir's kingdom, and may trembling fall upon
the limbs of your enemies! Amen.

Write to me soon, and send the letter to the capital. Please write
in Arabic characters, so that I may be able to read your letter.

_From_, GENERAL KAUFFMANN _to the_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, _dated 30th
Zekada (=26th November,_ 1878).

(After compliments.) I was much pleased to receive your letter,
dated 24th Zekada, 1295 (=18th November, 1878), and to hear of
your good