40 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN 



must have a i^reat deal to do with the character 

 of a man. Rhodes beHeved in this, for it is said, 

 when inspecting classes of boys or young men, he 

 would make comments as to which he considered 

 were likely to become distinguished. 



Lavater says: "Whether they are or are not 

 sensible of it, all men are influenced daily by 

 physiognomy. There is not a man who does not 

 more or less the first time he is in company with 

 a stranger observe, estimate, compare and judge 

 him according to appearances." 



My impression of Mr Rhodes was that he was 

 one of the most remarkable men I had ever met. 

 His conversation was always on matters connected 

 with his schemes ; he asked questions of everyone, 

 and then he would lapse into silence for some time, 

 before another string of questions came pouring 

 out. He appeared to take no interest whatever in 

 animals ; so unceasingly was his brain at work that 

 he seemed to have no time for eating and drinking. 

 He swallowed his food almost without masticating" 

 it, and he gulped his drink down with I should 

 think serious detriment to his digestion. Even 

 Gladstone descended to the discussion of the 

 process of eating, and, it is said, subjected every 

 mouthful of meat to thirty-two bites before swallow- 

 ing ; he regarded this habit as absolutely necessary 

 for those who aspire to a long life. 



