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NOTICES.

Each Notice should be written on one side only of a separate piece of paper. Every Notice under the head of Correspondence must give full name and address.

Correspondents are requested to write their address clearly in ordin ary longhand. If they wish to receive replies in Phonography, a star should be attached to the name; thus, John Smith."

Notices of all kinds must reach Bath at least eleven days before the date of the Journal for which they are intended.

Every communication addressed to the Editor of this Journal must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer.

Exercises Corrected Gratis (enclose stamped and addressed envelope) by Nunn T. Louis, c/o R. Lawson, esq., 273 Dewsbury rd., Leeds [x]

Correspondence, etc. 1d. per line of ten words.

Correspondence in Phonography or French desired by learner with a view to exchanging stamps, etc. Would like to have correspondents in Gibraltar. Malta, Egypt, Straits Settlements, Guiana, Australia, Ceylon, Newfoundland, etc. Thomas E. Rigby, 119 Walmersley rd.. Bury, Lar cs. Advertiser desires to meet Bristol phonographer for mutual speed practice. Would help beginner in shorthand, or teach advanced book-keeping in return for dictation. Morgan,* 11 Cavendish rd., Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.

Phonographer wishes to meet with another for mutual speed practice in Matlock district, or would give assistance to learners in return for dictation. Wm. Davison, 3 St Giles terr., Matlock Town 18

An Englishman with a very fair knowledge of Spanish would lie to correspond with Spaniard for mutual benefit, W. G. Sanders, 9 Northumberland grove, Tottenham, London, N.

Sidney E. Bond, 24 High st., Wellington, Somerset, desires correspondence with any earnest language reformer who well understands Welsh, or Italian, or Spanish.

Who will give me Italian tuition in exchange for French, German, or English Phonography? Italian preferred. O. D., 1 Hand court, London, W.C.

M. Rama Swamy, Secre ary, Arya Bala Samaj Mysore, India, wants literary and stamp correspondents (ladies and gentlemen) all over the world.

Luckoor Ramachendrakao, Chamaraja road, Mysore, India, wants stamp correspondents abroad.

Picture post cards. Exchange wanted, views of places preferred. Shorthand or longhand. Prompt replies. Alfred A. Rodgers, 137 Pepys rd., New Cross, London, S E.

Pictorial post card correspondence desired in longhand or shorthand. Foreign and colonial preferred. Prompt rep lies to all. Albert Wells, 80 Western rd., Lewes, Sussex, England.

Post card coll ctors. Six foreign and six local views posted separately to any address in Great Britain on receipt of postal order for is 6d. Suitable correspondence in shorthand or longhand on local views. Address, Wm. Carr, 8 Watergate, Perth. Scotland

Pictorial post card. Louis Watkins, 24 Collier st., Johnstone, nr. Glasgow. Replies guaranteed, continental and colonial ones preferred. Pictorial post cards Correspondence desired (longhand or shorthand) Raphael Tuck's only. Leonard Hallam, 2 Thornes lane, Wake field.

Associations. id. per line of ten words.

Phonetic Shorthand Writers' Association (London District 1.P.S.) The Arcadian Restaurant, 8 Queen st.. Cheapside.-The principal Shor*band Association in the kingdom. Meetings held every Thursday ever ing from 7 to to Regular speed practice conducted at various rates by experienced phonographers. Lectures by well-known shorthand writers, discussions, etc. Speed examinations held periodically. Centre for Society of Arts shorthand examination and for Pitman's medal competitions. (Members sit at these examinations and at the I.P.S. Teachers' Exam at reduced fees.) Shorthand library and other advantages. Fees, including speed practice, 10s 6d per annum or 38 per quarter. All phonographers (ladies or gentlemen) are eligible for membership. Prospectus, with full particulars. on application to Secretary, H. J. Cork, 2 Reedholm road. Stoke Newington. London, N. 241 Typists' Sectior, I.P.S. (the N.U. of Typists is incorporated with this Section). Examinations for teachers and typists, lectures, demonstrations, discussions, employment bureau, advice on typewriting matters, etc. Annual subscription, 5s.; members of I.P.S., 3s 6d. Rules, Examination Syllabus, Forms of Application, etc., from the Hon. Sec., Geo. Colebourn, F.I.P.S., 151 Second ave., Manor Park, Essex. [17]

Evercirculators and Libraries. 1d. per line of ten words.

An evercirculator is a manuscript phonographic magazine, consisting of articles written by the individual members, one member acting as conductor. The book passes round, and each round members contribute an article and remarks, or take part in the discussion. A leaflet containing further particulars forwarded from the Phonetic Institute, Bath, on receipt of id stamp. [x] Evercirculator paper in three varieties, of superior quality, five quires Is 6d; headings and title-pages, 3d per doz.; covers, cloth is., leather Is 6d. Samples for id. Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd. [x]

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Evercirculators. The Rev. J. Thomas, 15 Morton crescent, Exmouth, undertakes to review evercirculators free of all charge, except return postage. Any information regarding evercirculators, shorthand outlines, or teaching gladly given on receipt of stamped envelope.

Rambler Shorthand Library circulates all the shorthand magazines. Subscription, Is 3d per quarter; 4s per year. J. Gripton, High st, West Bromwich. 19] The Gordon Shorthand Library circulates all the leading magazines. Subscription, 6d per month; is 3d per quarter. A month's trial solicited. Particulars free. Conductor, A. T. Bean, 1 Victoria rd., Stoke Newington, London, N. [17] The best Library is the Telegraph, established ten years, circulating all the magazines, including Australian magazine; quarterly subscription, Is 3d; always vacancies, particulars stamp. Conductor, J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London.

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The 20th Century Commercial Library, over 160 books available for the use of members. Shorthand, typewriting, French, German, Spanish, and commercial books, together with copies of all English and foreign shorthand magazines. Subscription one penny per week. Splendid opportunity of studying large selections of works at a small cost. Full particulars for stamp. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. [21] Second-hand Books, Shorthand or Phonetic. for Sale, or Exchange, or Wanted, id. per line of ten words; Miscellaneous Books, 3d. per line. For sale, 6 vols. Phonetic Journal, 1882-87, bound in cloth, price 6s, or offers. C. H. Adcock, 1 Tunnard st., Boston, Lincs.

For sale, 200 standard educational books, French, Latin, Greek, Arithmetic, Algebra, History, Geography, Grammar, Euclid Chemistry, Literature, etc., one-third published price, complete, post-free. Frank Ware, 84 East John st., Exeter.

What offers? Pitman's Phonetic Journal for years 1900-1-2. T. H. Francis, 37 Cumberland st., Carlisle.

Book-keeping Simplified (2s 6d), is 6d; ditto, hy Hamilton and Ball (25), Is 3d; ditto, Hunter's Self-Instruction (2s), Is; New Way of Improving the Memory (1s), 6d; Speech by the Facial Expression, 4d, or exchange for anything; clean and good condition. Wanted. good English Dictionary. Offers invited. Hudson, Aberford. Leeds.

Thousands of books and magazines (shorthand) for sale, all good condition. If you require anything, you cannot do better than drop me a line, with stamp, stating requirements, and I can meet them. J. H Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London.

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Reading practice for the coming holidays, etc. 6s worth shorthand magazines in new condition, all different, post-free, is 6d, sent any part of the world for money order for 2s; splendid and unequalled value. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London. 127

Wanted, good condition, Phonographic Monthly, vol. 3, no. 9; vol. 4. nos. 3, 6; Shorthand Magazine, vol. 52, nos. 11, 12; vol. 53, no. 4; vol. 54. no. 1; vol. 57, nos. 6, 7; Reporters' Journal, vol. 23, nos. 10, 11; Irish Phonographic Bulletin, vol. 1, nos. 1, 2, 3, 8, 11; Young Phonographer, vol. 1, no. 5; Phonographer, vol. 2, no. 1o; Pitman's Weekly, vol. 18, no. 1; Reporters' Magazine, vol. 20, no. 4. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London. 171

For sale, half price, post-free, the following books, only slightly soiled, hardly used:-Shorthand Class Book (6d), 3d; Phone graphy in the Office (Is 6d), 9d; Technical Reporting (1s 6d), çd; ditto, cloth (2s), Is; Military Phrase Book (1s), 6d; Key to Letter Writer, cloth (15). 6d, Key to Office Work (6d), 3d; ditto, cloth (1s), 6d; Tales from Dickens (1s 6d), gd. Address, O. W. J., c/o Sir I. Hitman and Sons, Ltd., Phonetic Institute, Bath.

What offers? Chums for three years, clean, unbound; Pitman's Shorthand Instructor (second-hand). Evans, 60 Ferntower rd, Highbury, London.

Literary Criticism by a Thoughtful Graduate, 24 pages. price 2d., postfree. Apply, Secretary, Arya Bala Samaj, Lansdowne Bazaars, Mysore, India.

Pitman's Shorthand Weeklies, 1900-1-2, unbourd (complete), 2s; purchaser pays carriage; Twentieth Century Dictionary, bound (unused), 2s 6d, post-free. Tate, 27 Seymour pl., West Brompton, London, S. W. Fountain pen wanted, good second-hand; must be cheap; approval. F. W. Cope, Albert cottage, Bridgtown, Stafford.

What cash offers? Pickwick Papers, vol. 1; Selections from American Authors; Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin; Two Trips to India, by T. A. Reed; A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens; Thankful Blossom, by Bret Harte; all in Fitman's Shorthand, paper covers; Phonetic Journal for 1897, less nos. 2, 3, 5. Miss Paul, Ashton, Wellesley rd., Clactonon-Sea, Essex.

For sale, few copies of Oliver McEwan's Verbatim Reporting, post-free Is Id. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. [26 For sale, a large amount of new and second-hand Shorthand and Commercial books and magazines. List post-free. A. T. Bean, 1 Victoria rd., Stoke Newington, London, N. [17]

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TO SHORTHAND LEARNERS.-Students commencing the study of Pitman's Shorthand are recommended to obta n the Phonographic Teacher," 6d. "Key," 6d.; and " Progressive Studies," Is.; or "Pitman's shorthand Instructor," 3s. 6d. These Books can be obtained of all Booksellers, or from the Puolishers. Students desiring a teacher may be put in communication with one on sending a penny stamp to Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd., Phonetic Institute, Bath SUBSCRIPTION RATES.-This Journal may be ordered through any Bookseller, Newsagent, or Railway Bookstall, or by post direct from the Publishers. The terms to all parts of the world are is. 8d. per quarter; 38. 3d. per half year; or 6s. 6d. per year, payable in advance. Subscriptions may commence with any number. Monthly part, 5d., post-free 7d.: terms of sybscription same as above.

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CHOOSING AN OCCUPATION.

The old problem, sometimes expressed in such queries What shall we do with our sons? or "What shall we train our daughters to become? is always with us. A suggestion has lately been put forth that the County Councils should assist parents, guardians, and others in the endeavour to find a solution to that problem. The proposal is, that in addition to the numerous duties with which our local Parliaments are entrusted, they should undertake to nominate experts whose business it would be to advise parents concern. ing the conditions and prospects of any occupation that they may think of choosing for their children. The idea indicates a pleasing degree of confidence in the capacity of the members of our County Councils. But without binting a doubt as to the certainty that those bodies would invariably, or even generally, select the right persons as "experts," it may be questioned whether the suggestion touches the real difficulty that parents and guardians feel. When a man proposes to put his son to any particular trade or profession, he can easily consult people engaged in that trade or profession as to the chances of success in it, the nature of the pecuniary rewards that it offers, the amount of competition that those who pursue it have to encounter, and, gener. ally, as to the degree and kind of risk that is run by those who adopt it. Men engaged in a particular trade or profession are the best possible "experts" from whom to

seek advice on such points, and the prudent parent does, in most cases, ask their opinion.

A more serious problem confronts the man who has to decide to what occupation a boy leaving school shall be put with the hope that in course of time, by the exercise of industry, study, and observation, he will become so competent in the chosen calling as to find little difficulty in earning his living. What occupation is most suitable for the boy? What is his bent? What sphere of work is his character likely to find congenial? What kind of business affords the greatest scope for the satisfactory employment of the special aptitudes that the boy has shown himself to possess? These are the questions that call for an answer, the questions to which parents too often give a wrong reply. If an expert is needed, it is that guidance may be afforded as to the boy's capacities rather than as to the conditions and prospects of any particular business. In most cases general guidance is all that is really wanted. The parent or the teacher, having had the boy under long observation, ought to be able to detect the bent of his mind, the direction in which his proclivities seem to be drawing him. Unfortunately, parents have preferences and prejudices of their own. Often there is a strong desire that the son shall follow his father's calling, and even where an intense dislike is manifested on the part of the son, a prolonged effort is made to force him into compliance with his parents' wishes. Nearly always the result is failure. You can never make a successful accountant of a boy who detests figures; and one who is unhappy except when out of doors, will not take readily to an indoor occupation. The schoolmaster can give the father or guardian valuable help in deciding what the boy is fit for. Not that the schoolmaster is an expert in businesses; but he ought to be an expert in character, and his own calling should enable him to recognise the relative force of various tendencies in his pupil's mind. The knowledge and judgment of the father must be left to supply the other factors that make a wise decision possible.

With regard to most boys, it can hardly be said that there are any very distinctly preponderating tendencies that fit them specially for one occupation more than another. A sound training of the faculties, so that an intelligent interest can be taken in the details of almost any kind of work, will for these be the best preparation for a business life. A certain adaptiveness, a willingness to make experiments and to benefit by them, should be the outcome of such a training; and, eventually, in the long run, the suitable occupation will be discovered and adopted more certainly than if the advice of a County Council expert were sought and followed.

Phonographers will congratulate Mr C. Owen, the present hon. secretary of the Leigh SW.A. (federated) on his appointment as a Justice of the Peace for his native borough

Mr George Walpole, late Editor of " Hansard," has left England for the West Indies, to act as official shorthand writer to the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the recent rioting in Trinidad. It is anticipated that the Commissioners will be absent from this country for eight or nine weeks.

The Shorthand Writer for April contains an unusually large amount of matter of interest to Association workers. The contributors include Mr C. Owen, J.P., on "Shorthand in Business," Mr A. H. Gilbertson on District Conferences as Aids to Association Success," Mr J. Hynes, on Wordbuilding," and Mr J. Winterbottom, on Miscellaneous Phrases." A facsimile at 200 words forms the subject of a competition.

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The Coventry Standard, which enjoys the distinction of being included among the twenty-six oldest newspapers in the United Kingdom at present in existence, has just been celebrating the completion of a career of 162 years, and of persistent support during the whole of that long period of a "Constitutional" political policy. Its conductors have marked the occasion by the enlargement of the Standard and its production in a greatly improved form, which will, without doubt, secure for it in the future a larger measure of local support.

TYPEWRITING NOTES.

The Empire typewriter has been adopted by the London School Board for use in the schools.

This is what Truth in a recent issue says about the typewriter: "Really I am hardly competent to advise you about the choice of a typewriter. Charlie, who has used one for years, speaks enthusiastically of the Yost machines, and I see that the Prince of Wales has just shown his approbation of them by granting the makers a Royal Warrant. But, personally, I have never taken to a typewriter. Perhaps I am old-fashioned and a little bit prejudiced, but I confess that I dislike a typewritten letter from a friend. I would rather have half-a-dozen lines in a familiar handwriting than half a dozen pages done by machinery. However, for business purposes and literary work the typewriter is employed more and more every day. There are many publishers and newspaper and magazine editors who now refuse even to look at any story or article which is not typewritten."

The foregoing paragraph illustrates the fact that prejudice against the writing machine is by no means dead yet. There are far more well-to-do business firms who do not use the typewriter than the casual observer is apt to suppose. The typewriter salesman is still often met with the excuse, "We have no use for a typewriter," even when the number of correspondence clerks disproves the fact upon inspection. Little by little, however, the prejudice wears down, as new men succeed the old, and more and more of our writing is machine made.

World's Work for April contained a full description of the manufacture of the Remington typewriter, with some account of the history of the pioneer writing machine. The main emphasis of the article is laid on the fact that the Remington has always been kept up to date, and has embodied all the latest improvements at each point in its history.

The March-April issue of the Yost Company's Writing Machine News includes attractive illustrated reading matter on a variety of topics of interest to shorthand writers and typists. The series of thrilling short stories "The Adventures of a Typist" is continued, and there is also an entertaining account of the appearance of the Yost on the stage in an impersonation by Madame Zsazsa Fedak. Up-to-date commercial subjects treated include a good description of "The Card Index.'

INCORPORATED PHONOGRAPHIC SOCIETY. YORKSHIRE (T.S.).

The quarterly meeting of the Yorkshire District was held at Henderson's Business Training Institute, 18 Park lane, Leeds, on 28th March. Mr Henry Smith presided at both the Council and general meetings, and there were present at the latter twenty members and nine visitors. There were admitted to the Society six associates; also Mr Norman Kaye and Miss Eva Wellburn as members, and Mr J. W. Strong as fellow.

Mr Hubert Byers, of Middlesbrough, delivered a most instructive and interesting address on The Ideal Shorthand Teacher.'' He reminded his hearers that "If a thing is worth doing it is worth doing well," and advised prospective candidates for the teacher's examination to bear this maxim in mind. He emphasized the necessity for the ideal shorthand teacher to be enthusiastic, bright, cheerful, energetic, humorous, patient, and animated. Mr Byers then dealt with such essentials as ample and accurate knowledge of the subject, both theoretical and practical; the value of illustration and questioning, and advised every teacher to continue learning. While he approved in general of the I.P.S. teacher's examination, he thought that the practical test ought to be severer, and suggested that the speed test should be increased from 80 to 120 words per minute. He believed in a teacher being able to demonstrate the practical value of shorthand before his students; this could not be done by a mere 80 words per minute. Referring to the blackboard demonstration, he stated that this should ensure (1) a clear outline of the lesson in the mind of the teacher, (2) a complete view at a glance of the essential features of the lesson for the class, (3) the framework upon which the class might develop a full and complete reproduction of the lesson. Mr Byers insisted on careful preparation for every lesson, and at the conclusion of his paper demonstrated his practicality by writing three hundred words in three minutes on the blackboard, dictated from unseen matter by Mr Fieldhouse. A discussion followed, in which Messrs Smith, Warden, Teale, Hodgson, Henderson and Fieldhouse took part.

Mr A. Fieldhouse, of Huddersfield, then gave a lesson on "The Disyllabic Diphthongs," which aroused some criticism and discussion, in which Messrs Smith, B. Taylor, Teale, and Henderson took part. Votes of thanks closed the proceedings.

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MIDLAND (T.S.).

Meetings of the Midland District were held at the Pitman Hotel, Corporation street, Birmingham, on 4th April. At the afternoon meeting a paper was read by Mr A. Griffin, F.I.P.S., entitled, The Upward and Downward sh." This afforded much interest to a good attendance, and provoked considerable discussion, in which Messrs Tanner, Marks, Brodhurst and others participated. The evening session was devoted to a concert and recitations, items for which were contributed by members and friends, among whom may be mentioned Misses May Pearce (Stratford-on-Avon), Hobday (Redditch), L. J. Eldridge, Everard (Stratford-on-Avon), Messrs C. Keatley, S. Cole (Handsworth) and F. W. Mohrstadt. Miss N. Eldridge accompanied. Teachers of Phonography residing in the Midlands desirous of obtaining information concerning the Society should communicate with the Hon. Sec., Mr W. Findley, Chingford, Chester road, near Birmingham, who will be pleased to answer any queries.

LIVERPOOL.

Speaking of this, the continued success of that same Remington typewriter has been remarkable. In the case of most inventions, they are readily superseded by early improve- INC. SOCIETY OF SHORTHAND TEACHERS. ments which overgrow the original invention. With the Remington this was never possible, for the machine, as at first produced, was so complete that it was out of the question to supersede it, or to get round its master patents. These master patents have, of course, long since expired; but successive improvements have been added, so that the machine has always held its position,

A meeting of the Liverpool District was held at the Y.M.C.A. on 28th March, Mr D. Eaves presiding. A model lesson was given by Mr G. E. Griffiths on the Disyllabic Diphthongs, which gave rise to an excellent discussion. It was decided to hold the annual meeting on 2nd May, followed by a social,

OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY.

MR WILLIAM PROCTOR.

For the last seventeen years, Mr William Proctor has been engaged as instructor in Phonography at the Church of England Educational Institute in Sheffield, and during that period has had under his charge at the Institute and elsewhere a very large number of pupils -so large at times that he has found it necessary to enlist the assistance of his son-who is also a phonographer. His own knowledge of the system was acquired somewhat later in life than is the rule with most phonographers, especially at the present day.

It was not until his twenty-eighth year that, after a career that had been of a varied character, he, for the first time, took up the subject and entered upon the study. It happened one day that he noticed in the hands of an acquaintance a copy of a strange periodical -one of the now familiar lithographed phonographic magazines, less generally known then than in the present year of grace. His friend was reading its contents, and a little inquiry elicited the fact that it was written in Pitman's Shorthand. If his friend could read those characters, there was no reason why he should not also gain enough skill to read them. With this reflection came the desire to learn, text-books were purchased, and with study and practice, sufficient knowledge was acquired of the new accomplishment to secure in a short time the "theory certificate" granted in those days. The certificate was received on 19th June, 1886. Other certificates have been won since. These include a speed cer

he obtained a clerkship under the Sheffield Corporation Water Department, which involved new demands on his time. He accordingly resigned his connection with the two schools mentioned, and now confines his efforts as shorthand instructor to the growing classes at the Church of England Educational Institute.

Mr Proctor was for a short time Vice-Chairman of the Sheffield District of the National Phonographic Society. This was in the year 1892, when various branches of the Society had sprung into existence, which, like the branch at Sheffield, did not enjoy very long life. Since then Mr Proctor has found his work in various other spheres too exacting to permit him to take part in the operations of any of the organizations among phonographic teachers.

(From a photo by H. Jasper Redfern, Sheffield.)

tificate at the rate of 120 words a minute awarded after examination on 17th April, 1899, Pitman's Full Certificate dated 26th April in the same year, and Pitman's Certificate of Registration? as a qualified teacher of Phonography (1st June, 1899).

Soon after obtaining his Theory Certificate in 1886, Mr Proctor began the work of teaching. He conducted classes at the Springfield Board School as well as at the Church of England Educational Institute. For two years he gave instruction to students in the same subject at Herr Liebnow's "School of Languages" in Sheffield; and at the St Matthias National Schools in that town he conducted the classes in shorthand for

about three years. His appointments at the two lastnamed institutions he found it impossible to retain when

We have said that his career has been a varied one. There has been no less variety in his personal activities. He is a native of Sheffield, and was born on 19th March, 1855. He was sent to St Mary's National Schools, but removed from them at the early age of eleven to commence work in the file trade. This occupation he followed until his seventeenth year. He then sought a change, and with that object went to sea. After gaining a certain amount of maritime experience, he returned to Sheffield and resumed his old trade. He had realized the importance of improving his general education, and he joined evening classes in various subjects. Afterwards he was able to accept an appointment as clerk in the Water Department of the Sheffield Corporation. That post he retained for seven years, when he was promoted to a collectorship under the Corporation-a position that he continues to fill.

Mr Proctor is an enthusiastic advocate of the Temperance cause, and is honorary lecturer to the Sheffield Band of Hope Union. For twelve years he has been a local preacher in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church in the town. He is a skilful and ready speaker, and a good elocutionist. He enjoys a wide reputation as a public reciter, many of his recitations being compositions from his own pen. In addition to this accomplishment he possesses an excellent voice, and can attract an audience by his singing. Another talent, less common, which he has developed to a high pitch of excellence, is the art of rapid drawing with chalk or charcoal. With these varied powers it will be understood that he possesses most of the qualities that go to make up the successful public entertainer. He is the

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author of a number of literary productions in prose and verse, which have appeared in print. Some of these have been set to music, and have attained no little popularity among the audiences for whose benefit they were intended.

LEGAL TERMS, PHRASES, AND
ABBREVIATIONS

FOR TYPISTS, AND SHORTHAND AND OTHER
JUNIOR CLERKS.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "ELEMENTARY LAW FOR SHORTHAND CLERKS AND TYPISTS." 1.-TERMS USED IN CONVEYANCING (CONTINUED). Voluntary Conveyance (continued).

As recently as the year 1893, the very stringent interpretation put upon the Act of Elizabeth was mitigated by an amending Act. This Act-56 and 57 Vic., Chap. 17, its short title being the Voluntary Conveyances Act, 1893-provides that no voluntary conveyance of any lands, etc., whether made before or after the Act, if made, in fact, bona fide and without any fraudulent intent, should thereafter be deemed fraudulent within the meaning of the Act of Elizabeth by reason of any subsequent purchase for value, or be defeated under any of the provisions of that Act by a conveyance made upon any such purchase. This reverses the old rule as regards voluntary conveyances that are not made with a "fraudulent intent." The 1893 Act does not apply to any case in which before that Act a person who had executed a voluntary conveyance had also after the date of that conveyance disposed of or dealt with the property comprised in the voluntary conveyance, but it makes that course practically impossible as from the date of the Act, because the subsequent purchaser would not get a good title.

Another important statutory provision relating to voluntary conveyances must be mentioned. This is to be found in the Bankruptcy Act, 1883 (46 and 47 Vic. Chap 52). Section 47. Sub-Section 1 of that Act has an important bearing upon the validity of all deeds of gift. It enacts that any settlement of property-which expression is by a subsequent section defined as including any conveyance or transfer of propertynot being a settlement made before and in consideration of marriage, or made in favour of a purchaser or incumbrancer in good faith and for valuable consideration, or a settlement made on or for the wife or children of the settlor relating exclusively to property which has accrued to the settlor in right of his wife after marriage, shall, if the settlor becomes bankrupt within two years after the date of the settlement, be void against the trustee in the bankruptcy. This, it should be noted, applies whether the settlor was or was not actually solvent at the time he made the settlement. So long as the settlement was made within two years of the bankruptcy, the trustee in the bankruptcy can claim the whole of the settled property. The object is to make it impossible for a man to hand over his property voluntarily to others, so that when he is made bankrupt there is little or nothing left for his creditors. But the provision in the Bankruptcy Act does not end at this point. It proceeds to declare that if the settlor becomes bankrupt within ten years after the date of the settlement, the deed is to be void as against the trustee in the bankruptcy, unless the persons claiming under the settlement can prove that the settlor was at the time he made the settlement able to pay the whole of his debts without the aid of the property comprised in the settlement, and that the settlor's interest in the property passed on the execution of the settlement to the trustee of that document. This means

that in order that a voluntary conveyance in the nature of a deed of gift, when the person making it becomes bankrupt within ten years afterwards, may be valid and unassailable, two conditions must exist: (1) the person making the con

veyance must have been at the time he executed the deed in a position to pay all his creditors twenty shillings in the pound without having recourse to the property comprised in the voluntary conveyance; and (2) it must be a complete settlement or conveyance framed in such a way that the entire interest of the settlor in the property passes away from him at once. If he reserves to himself any interest, however small, in the property, the deed may be set aside by the trustee in his bankruptcy if that bankruptcy occur within ten years after the date of the deed, and in that case it matters not whether he was solvent or not when he executed the deed.

A further point to be noted with regard to voluntary conveyances is that if the person making a gift of property of any kind by means of such a document, dies within twelve months afterwards, estate duty is payable on the value of the property in the same manner as if the deceased had died possessed of the property which he had, in fact, parted with previously. Estate duty is also payable on the property even when the gift was made more than twelve months before the death, if the deceased retained any interest in the property-that is to say, if the gift was one that was not to take complete effect until his death. These provisions are, of course, intended to make it difficult for a man to give his property away when he is anticipating death, so that a smaller amount of estate duty shall be payable to the Government than would otherwise be the case.

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Waste.—An absolute owner of property can, when he is a freeholder, do as he pleases with it. If it be a landed estate he may cut down and dispose of the timber growing upon it, pull down the houses and other buildings standing on it without rebuilding any of them, cut the turf and sell it, dig out sand and gravel from one part of the land, and use up all the brick earth in another part of it. All these things are within his rights as absolute owner. But if he is a limited owner, having, for instance, a life interest only, he cannot necessarily do these things. If the instrument under which he holds authorizes him to do so, that instrument will override the general law. Acts such as have been indicated are technically known as waste. They are so called because the effect is to reduce the value of the property and so deprive the next successor in ownership from coming into possession of all that he is entitled to. His inheritance has been wasted. Waste may be caused actively-that is to say, by positive acts done by or under the direction of the tenant for life or other person in possession, and it is then called voluntary waste; or it may be caused as it were passively-by merely standing by and letting the property go "to rack and ruin as the popular and very expressive phrase has it; and in that case it is called permissive waste The decisions as to what constitutes 04 waste are very numerous and to some extent conflicting. The circumstances affecting property, the conditions amid which in modern times the rights and duties attaching even to the limited ownership of property have to be exercised or performed, have led to the legitimising in some cases of acts that come technically within recognised definitions of waste. But it may be taken as a sound general rule that whatever act or omission causes or tends to cause a diminution in the value of the property, which it is the duty of a limited owner to pass on to his successor in the ownership is properly described as waste. The Settled Land Acts have from motives of public policy removed some of the former stringency of the law on the subject. Under the 1882 Act (45 and 46 Vic. Chap. 38, Sec. 35) where there is on the settled land timber that is ripe and fit to be cut, the tenant for life-although under the settlement he might be made liable for "waste"-is authorized on his obtaining the consent of the trustees of the settlement or an order of the court, to cut and sell the timber or any part of it. This power, however, is subject to a provision that three-fourths of the net price obtained-that is, three-fourths of what is left after detraying the expense of the sale-is to be applied as capital money under the Act, the other fourth going as "rents and profits"-in other words, going into the pocket

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