A STRANGE LIBRARY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10075, 22 June 1910, Page 4

A STRANGE LIBRARY.

When he goes to live at Groot Scbuur, Cecil Rhodes's home, Mr Botha will no donbtoften reflect on the Btrange changes that have brotogbt him to the house of his people's old enemy. The story of the main section of Rhodes" great library,

stored at Groot achuur, is told in a recently published book of reminiscences of Rhodes, by one who was intimately connected with him. Rhodes, having re-read Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" on a trip to England, and being very much impressed with the book, determined to form a library consisting of all the original authorities used by Gibbon 3 in writing his his- j tory. Hatchard's, the well kr.hown j London firm, were given the contract. Rhodes emphasised two points in hia first interview; that the book should be in English, and that they should be unabridged. The undertaking he recognised, was a large one, so he left with the firm a substantial cheque to go towards the expenses. A number of scholars were chosen to work under a general editor, and as the volumes leached South Africa, Rhodes sent directions how to proceed, and stated v?ry clearly his special interest in various aspects of the work. The undertaking was characteristic ot a man who was fascinated by history and helped to make it.