Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05

there has been hardly single import-
ant undertaking I'm South Africa in
which Mr.. Belt was not interested. One
of his firms holds 100000 acres Of the
most valuable agricultural and mineral
land In the Transvaal, while Mr.. Belt
himself was the largest individual
owner of mines and land in the South
African colonies.
Simple Habits
with all his wealth Mr.. Belt was Of
simple habits, and had none of the
qualities Of the assertive plutocrat. In
appearance he was short of stature,
with features which unmistakably re-
vealed his German parentagc He was
unmarried, and 1t is on record that Mr.,
Rhodes once summed UP his character
in the words "All Belt wants is $1,000
year for his mother"
Before his serious illness of some few
years ago he gave one the impression
of a man made of brains; his thoughts
went always ahead of his speech Lat
terly he showed something of the brok-
en- man. his health gave way, he be-
came moody, nervous, irritabe-so ner-
vous, in fact. that on more than one
occasion he found 1t difficult to enter
tain his guests in his own house.
His tastes were scientific, antiquar-
ian and artistic. In his Park lane house
he had several very fine old masters,
notably Murillos Rembrandts and Ru-
bens. He was a discriminating buyer,
not prone to be- deceived, but prompt
to conclude purchase If he were really
bent upon 1t.
AS an instance in point, he went to
stay with an Australian financier In
Hertfordshire for the weekend. The
house and grounds pleased him. After
dinner he asked his host whether he
- oil hn tnld "a
price" II want the place as 1t
stands-furnlture, servants, horses, and
ALL said Mr. Belt.
A bargain was struck on the spot,
the host only insisting on taking away
his wifes portrait. Two days later Mr..
Belt entered into possession.
He was never ostentations. On the
contrary, he always Stunned publicity
and hated being interviewed, photo
graphed or talked about.
His Charities
He gave his native town Of Hamburg
magnificent museum, at a cost of
many thousand pounds. He was asked
to preside at the opening, or at any
rate to be present and permit himself
to be thanked Publicly. But he de-
clined and preferred to remain in the
background.
His extraordinary and munificent
charity need hardly be alluded to, so
we'll known is it. 1t is estimated that
his gifts have not averaged less than
a quarter of a million pounds during
the last six or seven years.
Some of his most recent benefactions
are:
Frankenwald estate of 5000 acres,
valued at 100000, presented to the
Transvaal government for educational
purposes
Land valued at 100000 for a park
for Johannesburg.
Endowment of a chair of colonial his
tory at Oxford, 91310 per annum.
Donation of ae25,0 to the Institute
of Medical Sciences fund of the UniVer-
sity of London.
$4,000 to Guys hospital.
The extent of his private charity will
never be known. He must have helped
thousands who went to him for advice
and assistance. Quite apart from
charity" donations, he has helped many
city men who hut for him would have
been ruined. His hand was ever in
his pocket, and it might be said of
him, in truth, that he was the trustee of
his friends.
Rules of Life
He was as methodical as most mil
Iionaires. When in town he invariably
rose as the clock struck eight, and,
after breakfasting in the morning room,
which adjoined his bedroom and over
looked Hyde Park, he repaired at $3.50
to his study An hour later to the
minute he invariably drove to the city
in a carriage and pair.
He had no great hobbies, or even ex-
pensive tastes. He did not race, nor did
he own a yacht. His interest in the
drama was spasmodic. At one time
he would be at all the first-nights. and
twice a week at the opera. Then for
year he would not visit a theater.
OF music he was very fond, and some
of the greatest artists of the day have
played and sung in Park-lane before
very small parties.
During the South African war Mr..
Belt lent generous aid to the govern
ment, and it was mainly through him
that the Imperial Light Horse, after
the relief of Ladysmith, was rehorsed
in time to take part in the relief of
a. He was ona of the Ql1ar-