The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-11-28
DIR. LEYDs.
The Boer Emissary Charming Man of
tba world

with fund of information on all sub
jeets, a pretty taste in art, and all the
refinement of high culture
A good looking man, too, of medium
height, he has dark complexion, dark
rather straight hair and dark eyes
keen, piercing but kindly. Added to
this, he is well dressed, neat and pol
ished, with the invariable. black frock
coat, clean white shirt and narrow black
| tie, like a bootlace, Of the orthodox
! Continental diplomatist.
Withal he is crafty man of extra
ordinary powers of fascination; no one
leaves his presence unscathed by his
subtle power of charm. Even Paul
Kruger sucoumbed after the hriefest
struggle, and though 1T were gross fiat
terry to allege that Leyds was popular
in Pretoria, it would be equally incor-
rect to say that he was feared. A little
of the basilisk, good deal of the
sphinx, touch of Machiavelicum-
Mephistopheles. and the affahility of a
drawing-room tenor-all these qualifica-
tons combined in making the man in
teresting as study, and almost unique
as type.
are simple enough. He Is a Batavian,
born Of Dutch parents in the Neither
lands East Indies, AS boy he was
brought home to Holland and put to
school. He displayed quite remarkable
aptitude and ploughed his way quickly
and valiantly through all the Junior
classes. Before he was sixteen years
old he'had passed with honors in final
examna ton in the government College
Of Preceptors. He then took his degree
as Doctor of Philosophy-henee his til
tle-and also qualified as teacher of
drawing and gymnastics,
In the year 1884 the Transvaal being
in want of educated officials who could
conduct the business of the republic in
a manner more or less in accordance
with its claim to be civilized nation.
he was appointed state attorney lat
torney-generaD Of the South African
republic.
With his blushing honors thick upon
him, he set sailSfor what was to him
veritable Eldorado He was a poor
man, but he did not remain so long.
The fates were propitious, Soon after
his arrival in Fratoria and his being
sworn into orea he accurately gagged
the material witch he was employed to
fould into shape; very unpromising at
first, but with illimitable possibilities Of
which he was not slow to take advan-
tage.
He soon began to assert himself. Dr.
Leyds, of Pretoria, in a very few
months became the butterfly that had
emerged from 1.-The chrysais School
master Leyds, If Holland. The plastic
Beers were more or less easily mould
ed into the shape which their attorney
general thought best for them--and for
himself. He was not afraid of hard
work, and the reforms and apparent
economies which he introduced amazed
and delighted the members Of the gov
eminent who did not fail to spread
throughout the country exaggerated re-
ports of the governing genius of the
young Hollander.
Nothing was too small, nothing too
large, for DR.. Leyds to tackle. He even
found that the much maligned conces-
monopolist had his uses, as well
as the meanest thing that creepeth.
He cultivated the concessionaire, made
much of him; perhaps he showed him
the evil of his ways; anyhow, they
were always on the best of terms.
Both appeared to wax fat and flourish
that is, for DR.. Leyds
never lost his slimness of figure and his
air of the hero of young maiden's |
dream True, he was subject to sore
throat and other serious ailments. |
which neeessitated his absence from |
Pretoria at critical moments, but this |
only made him the more interesting to |
The wives of foreign consuls and others |
Interested in his moral and material |
welfare.
Socially, DR. Leyds has always been
vastly assisted by his charming wife, |
who is Dutch by birth, and of quite ex-
linguistic powers 1t was
1T one time currently reported that Dr.
md Mrs. (Mevrous) Leyds between
hem spoke over dozen languages
more or less fluently. Pretoria is not
l literary town, and the centers of eul-
ure are few. The salon Leyds was
therefore all the more welcome as
haven of sweetness and light, Books
we're discussed, likewise pictures and
Prints. especially Of the old Dutch mas
ers. DR.. Leyds is a violoncellist of PEI
uliar excellence and chamber music,
rios and quartets were performed with
aste, skill and discretion
Towards the middle of 1889, when the
nrush of Outlanders to the gold fields
lad raised the population and the in
ONE of the republic to an incredible ex-
ent, brilliant prospect was set before
he aspiring statesman. He was APP
pointed state secretary, an office Of
'reat Importance, if of somewhat poor
molument He was duly installed, and
proceeded at once. to attract the immi
ration INTO the Transvaal of hordes of
and incompetent Holland4
rs who speedily filled very large pro-
ortion of the minor offices in the civil
ervice.
This brigade of jackals, for it was
othing less, was absolutely at the beck
nd call of the astute doctor. They
we're his creatures, his satellites, his
1yrmidons, Through them he obtained
UGH hold over the internal economy
the government that even his worthy
resident, Paul Kruger himself, began
} get nervous. Previously there had
at least-the greatest
aemlng cordiality between the two, but
nth the rise of Leyds there came a dis
met alienation of the intimacy, a ten
ion of the bond between them. Leyds |