17 JANUARY 1970, Page 26

Revolting with their feet

Sir: Why do young men of revolutionary appearance place their feet on the seats of underground carriages? I have often noticed this. Are they deviously kicking the pants of the bourgeoisie or are they unable to imagine their own clothing where their shoes have been?

Perhaps they seek honestly but in a misguided way simply to spurn con- vention.

One such a member of the new orthodoxy, a bearded man of Latin American ap- pearance, I saw recently leave my train at Notting Hill Gate. Others I have seen carry- ing, apparently, social survey questionnaire forms.

Norman Brand

165 Evelyn Grove, Southall, Middlesex