South Africa has sustained a severe loss by the death
of Mr. Hofmeyr in London on Saturday last. Acquiring influence originally as a journalist and newspaper editor, he created the Afrikander Bond, directed that party for many years with extraordinary skill and success, and at the time of his death was perhaps the most outstanding political personality in South Africa. Though he only once held office for a short time, he made and unmade Cabinets like M. Clemenceau, and throughout his life preferred- influence to the insignia of power. After the Raid, Mr. Hofmeyr did his best to avert hostilities, but failing to persuade Mr. Kruger's Govern- ment to give way, he left South Africa until the war was over. Resuming his presidency of the reconstituted Bond, he regained his personal ascendency over his compatriots, but in the last year or two lost touch with them in the negotia- tions over the Constitution owing to his excessive insiste4e on the claims of Cape Colony. In proof of his loyalty to the Empire, it should not be forgotten that he vigorously supported the contribution of Cape Colony to the Imperial Navy. The general feeling that he inspired by his personality and patriotism is excellently expressed in the tribute of Sir Lewis Michell: "I did not wait to consider whether he was Dutch or English; I simply felt that we had lost a great South African,—one of ourselves."
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