AN ENGLISHWOMAN GOES ALONE TO AFGHANISTAN.
OCCASIONALLY in his mountain home the Ameer of Cabul has met ladies of refinement, and the oriental despot has not been slow to observe with delight the easy and graceful manners of the fair ones from the Occident. His majesty some months ago conceived the idea of educating the ladies of his harem in European manners, and with this end in view asked an English officer to find him a "governess" possessed of the necessary accomplishments. The officer expressed doubts as to the possibility of finding any lady willing to take the risk, upon which the Ameer assured him that his royal protection would be extended to the visitor, and that in addition she should name her own salary. With this assurance the officer mentioned the subject to some friends on his return to Calcutta, and a young Englishwoman named Hamilton accepted the place. Miss Hamilton sings, plays, and paints with marked ability, and is in all ways just the sort of woman the Ameer wants. In addition she has a good general knowledge of medicine, having given considerable study to that science; and, although ability as a physician was not specified as among the necessities, there is no doubt the Ameer will be doubly glad to have a European doctor in his palace. Miss Hamilton shows rare courage in undertaking such a long journey alone, Cabul being fourteen days' march from Peshawur, the last place in India at which she stopped.—Syndicate Letter.