General French.

Manawatu Herald, 11 August 1900, Page 2

General French.

(By Julian Ralph in the " Daily Mail.") " A SHORT, THICK CHUNK." As to his personality, the phrase "the square little general" would serve to describe him in Army circles without a mention of his name. He has the shape of a brick as well as the best characteristics of one. He is a short, thick chunk of a man, who always stands with his feet and legs well apart, and sits hunched up on his saddle like a Red Indian squaw. A view ot his back suggests the thick-set, neckless shape of General Grant, and I suspect there is a great deal of Grant's doggedness in him. Like Grant, too, he shows no concern for externals. He is quiet, undemonstrative, easy, and gentle. When you are with his command you don't notice him, you don't think about him — unless you are a soldier, and then you are glad you are there. He is perfectly accessible to anyone, but speaks very little when addressed. He must be a fine judge of men, for he has a splendid staff around him — splendid in the sense that they are all soldierly like himself, and all active and useful. Judging from the way his men live in the country when they are swarming over it, he must be easy, as true soldiers are in those situations, though the discipline of the rank and file is excellent. You do not notice his dress, but if you should it would be seen to be more serviceable than smart. When he went over to Thaba 'Nchu from Bloemfontein on a bill-sticking expedition (as the distribution of Lord Roberts's proclamation was called) he showed by his treatment of the Boers that he had a very kindly nature. He stopped at night in the Boer houses, and got on very well with the familiw, with all of whose members he shook hands, while saying pleasant things to them. In one case a Boer said to him, " I would be fighting you if I had not got consumption." The General replied, " Oh, I am sorry to hear that you are ill. I hope you will soon get better." A snapshot of him receiving the surrender of Thaba 'Nchu from the landdrost would have been an interesting picture. Both men stood witb their hats on back of their beads, the landdrost had his hands shoved deep io his pockets, and French stood witb his legs apart like a little Colossus, looking up at the civilian, who was exPresident Brand's son. Presently the landdrost took oif his hat Whether General French told him to do so, or whether he felt the commanding influence of the General — who knows ?