Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-14
THE TOMB OF RHODES
In the Grandeur and Solitude of the
Matoppos.

After passing tho farm the scenery
becomes much wilder. The geological
formation of the Matonpos is Very cu-
rialls, and, as far rs | know. UNIQUE.
Everywhere are enormous blocks or
round smooth stones, perched one on
top of the other in such q way tflat It
seems as though the least breath must
knock them over. But there they have
rerlained for centuries, and what sub
torranean force threw them into this
position it is difficult to conceive. some
of these constructions take on very Gu
rious shapes, and quite close to the di-
rectors house you will see Rhodes sit
ting in his chair, az the people of the
neighhorhood say. The vegetation con-
sists mostly of euphorbias and thorn
trees, kind of mimosa very common
all over this country. But we are
now i'm the midst of winter and there
are worry few flowers.
After we have driven for about an
hour and half The road stops at the
foot of a great bare hill. We descend
from the motor and climb up on foot
And now we realize that ever SINCE
we left Buluwayo we have been grad
uallly rising, for all around us there
are hills upon hills. In a moment we
reacn the top, and before us is spread,
the "view of the world. The tomb
of Rhodes is beside us. We almost
forget to breathe, overcome by the
grandeur of the scene before our eyes.
We are at the highest point and have
truly the sensation of being far from
all civilization. Not the smallest trace
of human hahitation, nothing but
hills made mp of the marvellous rocks.
which seem to roll away TO the horizon.
The largest of these boulders appear
10. be concentrated at the spot where
we new find ourselves. ] cannot re-
frain from quoting the words from tue
will of Rhodes abont his last DISPOSE
tons: Il admire the grandeur and the
solitude OF the Matoppos in Rhodesla.
and | therefore desire to be buried
there on the hill where / used to sit
and which is called the view of me
world in a square cut in the rock on
top of the hill covered by simple
brass plate and with these words on
it: Here lie the mortal remains OF Ce-
Gil John Rodes
He died in the little cottage at Nut
zenberg, on the seashore, quite close 10
Cane Town. where he went in search OF
greater quiet. His last words We're;
so little done and so much To do.
But his political ideas have been con-
tinued by skilful hands and he would
perhaps he satisfied if he could see
how his plans have been carried out.
He always had d great number OF
Beers amongst mis- friends, and when
the funeral cortege advanced toward
the Matoppos to accompany him to his
last resting place, the procession eN-
tended for an enormous distance Many
people who had been allienaied from
him by the events OF the last few years
had come together to tender him the
last honors He always had spe
cial influence over the blacks ana he
knew how To make them love him. one
could see great number who wished
also 60 accompany the mortal remains
of their great master. Whoever comes
here and sees this beautiful country all
about cannot help admire the noble
ideas of this man who gave his name
to this part of the British empire
Springfield Republican.
let ha