income from stamps forms no inconsiderable item of the revenue; while it
need scarcely be said that the advantages of the penny post, both to
business men and the public generally, cannot be over-estimated.

Between the years 1839 and 1849 the British were engaged in a series of
military enterprises in the north-west of India, which greatly tried the
bravery of our soldiers, and were attended even with serious disaster.
They resulted, however, in the conquest of the territories in the basin of
the Indus, and in establishing the British sway in India more firmly than
ever.

With the view of averting certain dangers which seemed to threaten our
Indian empire in that quarter, the English invaded Afghanistan. The
expedition was, in the first instance, completely successful. Candahar and
Cabul were both occupied by British troops, and a prince friendly to
England was placed upon the throne (1839). The main force then returned to
India, leaving garrisons at Candahar and Cabul to keep the hostile tribes
in order.

The troops left behind at Cabul were destined to terrible disaster.
General Elphinstone, who commanded, relying too much on the good faith of
the Afghans, omitted to take wise measures of defence. The Afghans
secretly planned a revolt against the English, and the general, finding
himself cut off from help from India, weakly sought to make terms with the
enemy.

The Afghans proved treacherous, and General Elphinstone was reduced to
begin a retreat through the wild passes towards India. It was a fearful
march. The fierce tribes who inhabited the hilly country along the route
attacked our forces in front, flank, and rear. It was the depth of winter,