open eyes. An attractive attribute was his love of his early
associations, his father especially being often the theme of his
conversation. He used freely to express his admiration for the type the
latter represented, now almost extinct, of the old-fashioned country
clergyman-squire. He held with tenacity to the traditions of his
childhood in having always a cold supper on Sunday evenings, instead of
the usual elaborate dinner, also in having the cloth removed for
dessert, to display the mahogany, of which, alas! few of our tables are
now made. With stupidity, or anything thereto approaching, he was apt to
be impatient; neither could he stand young men who affected indifference
to, or boredom with, the events and sights of the day. I often used to
think, however, he frightened people, and that they did not show to
their best advantage, nor was their intelligence at its brightest when
talking with him. I now refer especially to those in his employ.

To his opponents in the political world he was generous when discussing
them in private, however bitter and stinging his remarks were in public.
I remember one evening, on Mr. Merriman's name being mentioned, how Mr.
Rhodes dilated for some time on his charms as a friend and as a
colleague; he told me I should certainly take an opportunity of making
his acquaintance. "I am so fond of Merriman," he added; "he is one of
the most cultivated of men and the most charming of companions that I
know. We shall come together again some day." And this of the man who
was supposed then to hate Cecil John Rhodes with such a deadly hatred
that he, an Englishman born, was said to have been persuaded to Dutch
sympathies by his vindictive feelings against one great
fellow-countryman. Before leaving the subject of Mr. Rhodes, I must note
his intense kindness of heart and genuine hospitality. Groot Schuurr was
a rendezvous for people of all classes, denominations, and politics;
they were all welcome, and they certainly all came. From morn till eve