3-078-310 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

New Year's Honours, 1895. 'The Right Hon. Cecil J. Rhodes, P.C., Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, Photo by Russell and Sons; Sir J. Russell Reynolds, Bart., President of the Royal College of Physicians, Photo by Lombardi; Sir John Eric Erichsen, Bart., Formerly President of the Royal College of Surgeons, Photo by Melhuish; Sir Charles Scotter, Kt., General Manager London and South-Western Railway; Sir John Barran, Bart., M.P.; Sir. George Newnes, Bart., M.P.,...the most striking feature of the New Year Honours List is the distinction conferred on Mr. Cecil Rhodes. [He] is now a member of the Privy Council, and technically one of the advisers of the Queen. He has no sort of control over imperial affairs by reason of this new appointment, which is of a purely honorary kind; but it is a significant recognition of his eminence as a Colonial statesman. Mr. Rhodes...went out to Africa to seek his fortune not many years ago. His rise has been remarkable. His personality is easily dominant in South African politics, and his dreams of Empire are not such stuff as political dreams are often made of. [He] has done wonders to consolidate the strength of Cape Colony, and he is naturally regarded...as a statesman of the first rank...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.