THE RHODES COLOSSUS
STRIDING FROM CAPE TOWN TO CAIRO.
THE RHODES COLOSSUS.
["Mr. Rhodes announced that it was his intention, either with the help of his friends or by himself, to continue the telegraph northwards, across the Zambesi, through Nyassaland, and along Lake Tanganyika to Uganda. Nor is this all.... This colossal Monte Cristo means to cross the Soudan ... and to complete the overland telegraph line from Cape Town to Cairo; that is, from England to the whole of her possessions or colonies, or 'spheres of influence' in Africa."—The Times.]
The World's Seven Wonders are surely outshone!
On Marvel World's billows 'twill toss us—'twill toss us,
To watch him, Director and Statesman in one,
This Seven-League-Booted Colossus—Colossus!
Combining in one supernatural blend
Plain Commerce and Imagination—gination;
O'er Africa striding from dark end to end,
To forward black emancipation—cipation.