WORK LEAVES ITS STAMP

Evening Star, Issue 20198, 11 June 1929, Page 11

WORK LEAVES ITS STAMP

MEN REVEAL THEIR VOCATIONS PROFESSIONS DISTINGUISHABLE Do we look what wo are? From observations I have made of people belonging to the various professions, whom it has been my privilege to meet, 1. should say, in the majority of instances—yes. The reason is that each one is absorbed in his or her occupation, which becomes part of them; either from their devotion to the work itself, or from the imperative necessity of keeping pace with—and a little ahead of—their competitors. Instance the doctor (writes Gladys Storey in the London ‘ Daily Chronicle’). He always carried his profession about—he even takes it to bed with him—and when he is nob waiting upon his patients, he is iteqently attending lectures in order to learn new methods of treatment. The necessity for study in his profession is such that he seldom gets away from it. My father once told me that Lord Leighton, P.R.A.. wore a large bow lie (which became known as the Leighton tie) and a velveteen coat, for the mere joy of looking like a professional artist, although Leighton’s pride in his profession—which ho always carried about with him—found greater depth than the surface of his coat, and his knowledge was far wider than the bow of his tie. ARTISTS AND AUTHORS. To-day Mr Augustus John, R.A., may be said to carry his profession about with him more than most artists ; while in this respect I would also mention Sir David Murray, R.A. Straight from work in his studio he will visit an exhibition of pictures, where he will become occupied and wholly absorbed in examining minutely the various effects which go to make up the work which has arrested his attention. Authors practically always cany their professions with them, for, like artists, they are ever observing human nature in all her \nrious guises—and enjoy talking about their ork. An exception in m3’ experience was Mr Henry Janies, who, during a long talk we had together, discussed quite a different subject from literature, giving not a hint as to his profession; on the other hand, Sir Hall Caine always looks the part. Clerics and actors, perhaps, more than anv other people, carry the identity of their profession about with them. ELLEN TERRY. Ellen Jerry never wont anywhere without taking with her the calling she served so devotedly. Of Sir Gerald du' Maurier—though the head of his profession—l would not say the same. The Navy and the Army—except in time of war or when on other official duty—carry their professions with them, perhaps, the best of all people, although the bearing of a naval or military man is apparent wherever he may be: there is a certain distinguishing cut about him. When I met Field-marshal Earl Haig and Field-marshal Viscount Allenby, these two great military figures were both in mufti, yet T should most certainly have picked them out as belonging to His Majesty’s Army. '1 here is. however, a notable exception—a soldier whom I have met, who does not look the soldier, but rather, with his jovial red face, the farmer than the brilliant and distinguished genera! who led his army to victory at Messines. The late Marshal Fooh—by whom I had l;he honour of being received at the French Embassy—conveyed to me the impression that he was ever the soldier, and that with his beautiful modesty and pride of country he certainly carried his profession with him.