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ney； not for its own sake； but that he might use it to fulfil the purposes of his busy and far…reaching brain。 He outwitted Kruger； he destroyed the Matabele； he seized the vast territories of Rhodesia； and persuaded the British public to find him the gold wherewith to finance them； most of which the British public has； I imagine； lost。 But the Empire has gained； for Rhodesia does not run away； like the capital； in over…financed and unremunerative panies。 One day it may be a great asset of the Crown； if the Imperial possessions hold together。
It would almost seem as though Rhodes was one of those men who have been and still are raised up by that Power； of the existence of which he seems to have been dubious； to fulfil certain designs of Its own。 There have been a good many with somewhat similar characteristics。 Alexander； Caesar； Napoleon； Chaka； e to my mind as I write。 Roosevelt； though his is a finer mind； may or may not prove another： at the moment it rather looks as though his cards were played； but who knows？
Had it not been for Rhodes I incline to the belief that the Germans would have taken Rhodesia； perhaps after a preliminary occupation by the Boers。 That danger； I think； was present to his thoughts and was one of the reasons which induced him to strike； and strike hard； caring nothing for the blood that splashed up from the blow。 In the same way he wished to seize the Transvaal by a coup de main； or rather a coup d’epee； but here he miscalculated the strength of the opposing forces。 Or perhaps； as he himself said； Jameson — whom I also knew and who possesses； I think； in some ways a higher nature than did Rhodes — upset his “apple…cart。” At least； whatever his faults； he was a great figure in his generation； and his name must always be remembered if only by that of the vast territory he seized； which he still surveys from his tomb…eyrie on the Matoppos。
Rhodes had his weaknesses； like other men。 A few years ago I was staying with Lord Carrington； now the Marquis of Lincolnshire。 He told me a little story with reference to Rhodes’ declaration； which Lord Carrington said he had often made； to the effect that he would accept no title or favour from Royalty。 They were both of them manded to Windsor at the same time； and Lord Carrington gave me a lively description of the intense amusement of the pany e down to dinner and in a very marked manner asked one of the gentlemen…inwaiting whether he had been careful to see that the “Right Honourable gentleman；” pointing to Cecil Rhodes； had been made fortable in every way； thereby indicating the conferring of a Privy Councillorship upon him； which he had not refused。
My City labours endured but for nine months； after which time I was delivered。 During those tumultuous days I toiled in a fine office in London； where thousands were talked of as of no account。 It was the period of the great African boom； and the business machine hummed merrily。 We made money； I remember； also we lost money。 But it was all much too speculative and nerve…racking for me； while the burden of those panies weighed upon my mind heavily。 The true…bred City man cares little for such things； which to him are all part of the day’s work； as writing a chapter of a book might be to me。 He is accustomed to take risks； and an adept at getting out of difficult situations。
At last came a time in my own instance when my partner； an excellent and very able gentleman in his own way and one for whom I retain the most friendly feelings； announced that he meant to depart for South Africa for a year or so； leaving me to conduct all the extremely intricate affairs with which he was connected。 This was too much for me； and then and there I had the presence of mind to strike。
All men make mistakes； but afterwards； so far as my observation goes； they may be divided into two classes： those who know when to get out of them； and those who do not。
Well； in this case I had sufficient sense and courage to appreciate my mistake and to retire while there was yet time。 Of course there was some difficulty； as under the deed of partnership I was bound for a period。 But； when he saw that I was determined to go； my partner behaved very well and kindly signed a dissolution。
I should add that the period which this chapter covers was marked by several events that were more or less important to me。 In 1893 my dear father died as the result of a chill which he caught in waiting about for the poll to be declared at an election in cold weather。 It was sad to see a man of his great strength and energy fading away and being so subdued and gentle； qualities which were not natural to him。 After one extraordinary recovery from the jaundice； or whatever it was that had attacked him； believing himself to be strong again； he began to travel and pay visits in winter； and thus brought on a return of his ailment。 I was not actually present at his death…bed； as I could only reach Bradenham on the following day。 He left me one of his executors and； as he was dying； told our old servant Hocking to give me his watch and chain； which I think had been his father’s before him。 I have it now； still marking the hour at which it ran down under his pillow on that night。 His last words； spoken almost as he expired； were：
“God is everywhere！ He is in this room； is He not？”
He looked fine and peaceful in death； as I think I have said； he was very handsome； and in many ways a remarkable man。 I never knew anyone who resembled him in the least or who was the possessor of half his energy。 God rest him！
Sir Theophilus Shepstone died in the same year； and； I think； at almost exactly the same age。 I mourned my old chief very sincerely。
In 1893 or the previous year I was elected Chairman of my local bench of magistrates； an office which I have filled ever since。 Indeed； when I wished to resign it the other day； on my appointment to the Dominions Royal mission； that； all being well； will necessitate long absences from England during which I shall be unable to attend to the business of the bench； my colleagues unanimously requested me to retain the position and appointed my old friend and neighbour； Captain Meade of Earsham Hall； to act for me when I was a