bringing
Mr. Beit, a Life Governor of De Beers, over to have a look at
Jagersfontein and Koffeyfontein. They would spend the night with us.
Fradgley and I were rather alarmed at the prospect and gave a great
deal of thought to the preparation of a good dinner for our guests. We
also went to find out what wine the bars had and were delighted when
Fred Edwards produced a bottle of champagne which had been lying on the
top shelf of the bar for many years. We agreed to pay him 3 5/ for the
champagne, if it was not flat on opening; if it was flat, he must take
it back. After some argument he agreed to this, and as it proved to be
exceptionally good Mr. Edwards received his 35/. Mr. Beit appeared to
enjoy the champagne very much, and he dropped off to sleep after
dinner. Mr. Hirschhorn whispered that he was very tired, but after he
had had his nap he would talk to him about Koffeyfontein. When later
Mr. Hirschhorn tried to persuade Mr. Beit to support us with a loan of
£20,-000, which we were needing badly at the time, he replied, 'When
the plum is ripe it will drop into our mouth.' The following morning
they went on to Kimberley and I never saw Mr. Beit again."
Shortly
before his death, Sir Alfred Beit went to look at a new mine near
Pretoria, the Premier, which was to become the proud show place of all
the Diamond Fields. It was here that the Cullinan was found. When Sir
Alfred visited it, it hadn'f yet become a part of the De Beers combine.
The sight of it? size so shocked him that he had a stroke, and died
five month." later.
