The Washington herald., 1910-11-23
PERSONAL LIFE OF
CECIL RI ODE S

CE Gil XII Cd L ,
A biography published by the private
secretary OF the late Cecil Rhodes gives
some intimate glimpses into the character
and habits OF a great man. 1t Il. a very
fascinating work without any claim to
literary merit and without any preten-
sions.
No man is a hero 20 his valet, say the
French, bat Cecil Rhodes certainly was
a hero to his secretary. lie presents
the masterful empire builder in very
attractive light, and one rises from the
book with a new sense Of Rhodes strong
personality. his lofty aims. and his de-
votion to the British empire.
AS with many other great men, the
word OF detraction has not spared Mr.
Rhodes and II is not the least OF the
seeretary's service 70 his dead chief that
he disposes of calumnies as to Rhodes
private life and habits For instance, the
story that he drank heavily Is shown
TO be a cruel falsehood. for which there
was not the slightest foundation.
Mr.. Rhodes was a keen Judge OF char
acter and had a great liking for young
men of spirit ana integrity He was a
great reader of character and almost IN
yariahly went by first impressions. In
several instances well-connected young
men applied 10 him for employment,
backed up with letters Of Introduction
from prominent men In England. II he
thought that the applicant had claim
on him or was an exceptionally good man,
he would direct his secretary to tell the
] he "a f.fa hfa In
variably went 10 the trouble 10 md hSl
a place
lie appeared particularly partial 10 peo-
pie with blue eyes. for he used 10 say that
men with blue eyes looked one straight
in the face. Rhodes himself had bright
| blue eyes, which shOne like lamps IN the
massive and noble head.
| The secretary makes only passing allu-
sion to the Jameson raid. When he went
to England 10 face the music" after that
disastrous adventure. Rhodes was con
| cerned lest his eountrymen might CON
denim him for a solitary error. AS he said
afterward: when I arrived in London
and saw the busmen and cabbies and
other workingmen touch their hats TO me
| IN a friendly way, I knew ! was all right.
|
given me-"
The federation of South Africa was
an ideal that Rhodes ever kept before
/ his eyes. President Kruger was the
| stumbling block 20 the realization of his
wishes and therefore il was the general
/ opinion that in the secrecy OF his heart
/ he WAS In favor of war. After the war,
as before, Rhodes had a warm af-
| lection for the Dutch. He was quite fond
| OF some Dutch members, and even had
much in common with them. His adj
miration for the Old Cape Dutch fam
lies. indeed. was very great And there
Is not the slightest doubt that he fully
| appreciated the greatness OF President
| Kruger.
Very amusing is the account OF the
manner IN which the Russian Prin-
cess Radziwill introduced herself on the
notice Of Mr.. Rhodes. The first communi-
cation he ever had with the princess was
letter from her stating that she had
just come into E150000. and asking Mr..
| Rhodes for advice as TO the best method
OF investing II. At that time he was in
| London He intended 10 sail for South
Africa in April. but for business rea-
sons had 10 postpone his departure five
| times. Eventually he got away In June.
/ just RtAoIt the steamer EDt or the
agent of the Union Line called Mr.
| Rhodes secretary aside and informed
him that Princess RadZiwiil also was on
board. He said that she had repeatedly
been 10 the Offices OF the Union Line 10
inquire by what boat Mr. Rhodes was
leaving, and on several previous occa-
sions had Cancelled her passage. and then
rebOOked to travel in the same boat with
Mr. Rhodes.
The princess had a good command Of
the English language and an intimate and
very wide knowledge OF English litera-
ture. She was not tall. inclined 10 be
lstout, had black hair and black. shifting
eyes. She could not be called handsome
or pretty, and was about forty-seveT
years of age. Subsequently. at Cape
Town. the princess frequently visited Mr.
Rhodes at Groote Schur and soon bored
him with her attentions. She was cor
respondent for newspapers in Russia and
England and he felt that he had TO ex-
ereise great caution and discretion in the
views he expressed TO her on politica
Questions.
There always was a strained feeling
says the secretary in his memoirs. in the