Despite this quality, the steadfast object of his admiration has been one of the most abnormal and theatrical figures in history—­Napoleon.  It is, however, Napoleon the soldier and not the personality that has attracted French, who, by the way, possesses a wonderful collection of Napoleonic relics.  He sees Napoleon as the greatest strategist the world has known.  As such the Corsican claims his unstinted admiration:  but there his admiration stops.  For French is altogether humane.  There is nothing of the iron heel about either his methods or his manners.  His extreme parsimony of life we have seen as the cause of the only criticism which has ever been levelled against him.

By a strange coincidence, however, his worship of Napoleon has proved itself invaluable in an unexpected way.  In following Napoleon’s campaigns out in detail, French had traversed every inch of Waterloo, and much of the Belgian battle-ground in the European war.  There can be little doubt that the success of some of his work has been due to his detailed knowledge of the scene of operations.

Inevitably, perhaps, French suggests Napoleon in certain subtle traits of character rather than in personality.  His rapidity of thought, for instance, has probably rarely been equalled, since Napoleon set Europe by the ears.  An officer under his command in South Africa, has recorded how, day after day, for weeks on end, French would answer the most intricate questions on policy and tactics over the telephone with scarcely a moment’s delay.  Such inhuman speed and accuracy of decision link French with the greatest commanders of history.

There is just a suggestion of Napoleon too, in his habitual attitudes.  He usually stands with legs wide apart and arms folded either across his chest or clasped behind his back.  But the perfect cheerfulness of his smile banishes any fear of Corsican churlishness of manner.  It is very certain that French is not feared by his staff:  he is worshipped by them.  The reason for that is not far to seek.  Although his temper is irascible, it is not enduring.  Often it will flash out in wrathful words, but the storm is quickly over.  Men of this choleric temper are always beloved, for good humour inevitably underlies the ebullitions of so light a rage.  They never nurse hatreds nor brood over trifles.  Also they are healthily impervious to the wiles of flattery or the snare of favouritism.  There is nothing of the jealous and erratic genius about French.  To read his dispatches is to find praise lavishly given to subordinates but no mention of self.  For he looks after his assistants and leaves his own record to fate.  He has, indeed, mastered the art of being great enough to allow others to be great.  Hence the excellence which always marks his General Staff.

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