IN WHAT WAY DO YOU WALK?

Otago Witness, Issue 2539, 12 November 1902, Page 69

IN WHAT WAY DO YOU WALK?

FROM MUCH HURRY TO MERE STROLLING. As might be imagined, it is when a person has opportunity for leisure that his adopted geetu?e3, attitudes, and movements are most characteristic. A story is told of a famous university athletes' "coach" who always taught his runners "style." "But how about 'atyle' -in an actual race, when hard pressed?" inquired a pupil. "Then," said the instructor,,, "the only 'style you need trouble about is. how to get home first." So "Must Have Coat Poekete" is an example of the strolling

order of walking, and one seldom to be seen when the walker is out on business intent. Another thing to be observed concerning the study of walking is that to see a man moving in his own natural manner you must catch him out alone. When two persona are together, one or the other, perhaps quite unconsciously, adapts his pace to that _of his companion, at- once his own distinctive walk disappears. Both, indeed, may be in, this way affected. "Two men together," it has been said, "don't 'walk'; they march." "Hands Behind Back,", is seldom indulged in when tie individual 'liable to adopt it is

with another person. A well-known professor who found himself always walking in this manner resolved to cure himself, and ■o he took out a book to read. Meandering along, he at one point looked up to thinks, and he finished his two hours' stroll with the open book still held behind him. The arms and hands, indeed, as we perceive, play a most important part in determining style of carriage. "Why," it may be asked, "is the position indicated by 'Gripping the Coat Collar,' resorted to?" The

answer would appear to be that this is adopted by individuals accustomed to using the hands at work; and who, when out walking, do not carry a stick. The hands then, unaccustomed to not being employed, feel quite awkward, and a 1 hold upon each side of the coat is taken, and an easier feeling obtained. • As will be understood, there are any number of examples to be had of combinations ■of two or more of the methods we dilate upon and sketch. And there are also curiosities, such as placing' the left hand in the breast pocket of the coat, whilst the right arm swings loose, keeping time to the movements of the left leg. "Thumbs in Waistcoat Pockets" is, however, another of our

"direct" specimens; and even in the depth .of winter the person who favours this may be sometimes seen to open his overcoat, unconsciously seeking the familiar hold. "In search of a threepenny-piece," this trick) has been, not inaptly, christened. One other little feature we have space to notice. There are certain ways of walking I which, though at first sight they appear to ' bo of thft "strolling" order, are by come individuals successfully adapted to Quit© bxuk.

movement. "Exercise and Observation," explains one of them. The attitude, according to casual observation, seems more suited for standing still, yet we see it here made to serve when steady walking is done, the while

surrounding objects are with interest scanned. This subject wouldT indeed, afford mate-rial for most ample research ; and it may confidently be asserted that just as each individual's thumbmark is unique, so, if closely studied, would hi 3 walk be found to be.