We regret to announce the death of Mr. Alfred Belt,
which took place early on Monday at his country house in Hertford- shire. He had of late years resided mainly in England, where he spent great sums in wise and unobtrusive philanthropy. Besides large gifts to the Transvaal, be founded a Professorship of Colonial History at Oxford, and was mainly instrumental in starting the new Technical University for London. As a financier he was probably among the first of the age ; but while, influenced by the volcanic energy of Mr. Rhodes, he embarked upon high politics more than once, he never pro- fessed any aptitude for them, though be shared in the Imperial dreams of his friend. Though we condemned, and must continue to condemn, the part Mr. Beit played in the Raid, and his endorsement of the fatal blunder of admitting Chinese indentured labour into the Transvaal, we wish to give every credit to his good qualities. He is described by those who knew him best as a man of a singularly gentle and modest disposition and as one whose loyalty to his associates was proverbial, and whose kindness was extended to all who were in distress, whether friend or foe.
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