LEANING.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14635, 13 February 1918, Page 10

LEANING.

AN AUSTRALIAN ART,

The Australian, though he be now a soldier and in London, preserves his characteristics and his native haoits, writes a correspondent of the "Sydney Morning Heiald." One of these latter has recently been alluded to by a London illustrated paper in its picture pages. Otherwise, an Australian, commentator would liave been content to pass it by—perhaps politely, perhaps but of fraternal sympathy. It is the Australian habit of leaning. The Australian soldier doubtless has a reason for it. The well-remembered Slinks, in "Miss Hook of Holland," being asked to account for himself in similar circumstances j replied in a tone" of mild surprise. "What are you doing there?" he was questioned. "Leanin —only leanin'!" ho answered. The leaning habit is quite unknown in London. Nobody leans. People may move either briskly or sluggishly, but they all move. Their climate, for one thing, is a compelling thing. But in London, now, there is a difference. Quite a number of people are to be seen leaning. Everyone of them is an Australian soldier. They lean along the wall of Trafalgar Square, they lean on the Embankment. Lines of them lean wherever they find themselves gathered together, and at a loose end—or alone and meditative they lean independently. The crowded London streets swirl past them, but not so is a national habit to be disturbed. Oblivious, or merely i tired, these men lean along the London | highways with, the easy and unchallengeable assurance of jeaners by right of birth.- They make a strange sight in London. It is by no means an unpleasant sight. On the contrary, it wfliffs* Australia back to us who are long absent from that • homeland. Only this morning I passed Trafalgar Square and saw a line of Australian soldiers leaning and sitting upon the low wall there, and at once 1 could see Circular Quay and the railing around it, and leaning j men around the railing, could see the wharves, and the ferry-boats, and the big ships, and the harbour and waters beyond. What should be said - againsfi a custom that can so work '.ipon the mine] ?, Not that we want an orgy or leaning in London, nor for that matter are we likely to get it in a place owning airs of such edge and briskness. But the Australian leaners at present lean just enough. They are a picturesque novelty. They bring to this old city a -new art. Londoners , would doubtless like to cultivate it. They would cultivate it—only they laven't time.