The pipes were awarded a place in a glass cabinet, and the giver most heartily thanked; he finally departed, well pleased with himself.

Now comes a curious trait in the man's character.
Before leaving he whispered to a friend the request that the fact of his visit should not be mentioned in Cape Town circles.

This request was naturally repeated at once to Mr.Rhodes, much to the latter's amusement.

As ill-luck would have it, the cautious gentleman left his umbrella behind, with his name in full on the handle; this remained a prominent object on the hall table till, when evening fell, a trusted emissary came to recover it.
I often used to visit the House of Assembly or Lower House during that session, and it was instructive to note the faces of the Opposition when Rhodesia and its undoubted progress were subjects of discussion, and especially when Mr.Rhodes was on his feet, claiming the undivided attention of the House.

It was not his eloquence that kept people so attentive, for no one could call him eloquent; it was the singularly expressive voice, the (at times) persuasive manner, and, above all, the interesting things his big ideas gave him to say, that preserved that complete silence.