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is suitable for journalistic work if written somewhat larger.T. B. writes a fairly good vertical style, but it would be improved if somewhat bolder.-J. D.'s handwriting would be improved if his capitals were less flourished and smaller.-Waratah writes a good hand, but he should loop small g, y, etc., and not employ a flourish; he should certainly persevere with his shorthand study. -C. E. should endeavour to cultivate a slightly firmer and more upright hand.-Geribt will find a good model for an engrossing hand in Vere Foster's Original Series No. 10 (price 2d.).

In

MISCELLANEOUS.-T. B. may employ either pronunciationpatriotism or pa'triotism; both are recognised as correct. Phonography we employ that given first.-We are unable to supply Derry with the information desired.-We agree with L. S.; this kind of criticism of shorthand and its practitioners has been answered many times.-Constant Reader is advised that in order o become a chartered accountant it is needful to be articled, and to be qualified by a superior education to prepare for and sit at three examinations. There would be a premium for being articled; full particulars as to examinations, fees, etc., can be obtained from the Secretary, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Moorgate place, London, E.C.-C. E.'s typewriter speed is a fairly good average, but he should strive to work up to 35.-L. H.'s case would be best met by suitable tuition, which we have recommended. The shorthand periodicals G. E. R. (Victoria) offers are not required by us; but he should have no difficulty in finding a purchaser in Australia.-A number of answers are held over.

PITMAN'S SHORTHAND CERTIFICATES. The following Certificates are issued :— THIRD CLASS OR ELEMENTARY CERTIFICATE, for thorough knowledge of the " Phonographic Teacher":"Shorthand Primer, Book I."; or 20th Cent. "Manual" or "Instructor," as far as Chap. xvii. Fee 6d. Every student after having worked through the "Teacher" is recommended to test his knowledge by applying for this Certificate. SECOND CLASS OR THEORY CERTIFICATE, for a thorough knowledge of the 20th Cent. "Manual"; or "Instructor," Chaps. i-xxvi.; or "Shorthand Primer, Book II." Fee 2s. FIRST CLASS OR SPEED Certificate. Speed Certificates are granted for 60 words per minute and upwards. Fee is. 6d. FULL CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY.-When a Second Class Certificate and a First Class Certificate for 80 words have been obtained, a Full Certificate is issued, certifying that the holder has a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of Phonography. Fee Is.

Forms of Application for the above Certificates, containing full particulars, can be had gratis and post-free from any of the Offices of Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd.

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 ordinary 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

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

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Advertiser (gentleman), holding certificates in shorthand, would teach Pitman's system in exchange for rudiments of music and harmony, one evening a week. Within a few miles only. G. S. Cope, Surrey Lodge, Queen's rd., S. Norwood, London, S.E.

Collectors of pictorial post cards should join the Norwood Pictorial Post Card Club. Members all over the globe. No Londoners required. Enclose 3d in stamps for rules and list of members to G. S. Cope, Surrey Lodge, Queen's rd., S. Norwood, London, S.E.

Correspondence wanted on pictorial post cards. Longhand or Phonography. All cards answered same day as received. Margaret Taylor, To Shrewsbury rd., Forest Gate, Essex.

Pictorial post card correspondence desired, France and Colonial (long hand and shorthand). Prompt replies. Miss May Thomas, Woolton, Liverpool. [4]

Associations. Id. per line of ten words.

Phonetic Shorthand Writers' Association (London District I.P.S.). The Arcadian Restaurant, 8 Queen st., Cheapside.-The principal Shorthand Association in the kingdom. Meetings held every Thursday evening from 7 to 10, 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. [4]

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 oorductor. 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. [3] 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. Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd. [x] 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. [9]

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 selection of works at a small cost. Full particulars for stamp. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. '9] The Rambler Evercirculating Library. Circulates all shorthand maga. zines. Particulars from Herald Shorthand School, 20 Herald Chambers, Martineau st., Birmingham.

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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, Pitman's Phonetic Journal, the whole of vol. 61, almost unsoiled and quite ready for binding. What offers ? G. S. Cope, Surrey Lodge, Queen's rd., S. Norwood, London, S.E.

For sale, Phonetic Journal, vol. 61, nos. 27-52; Is 4d post-free. G. P., 3 Warwick rd., Swindon, Wilts.

Wanted, Key to Meiklejohn's Grammar. T. R. Smith, Flemington, Motherwell. [3]

For sale, Book of Common Prayer in Shorthand. Good as new; postfree is 6d. Griffin, Laurels, Crownhill, South Devon.

Cassell's Illustrated History of England, complete in 68 parts; clean and undamaged, 175 6d. St. John, 104 Churston avenue, Upton Manor, E. Clark's Essay Guide, Digesting Returns, Précis Manual, Dictation Tests, Copying Forms, 4s; Brook-Smith's Arithmetic, 3s; Hamlin Smith's, Is 9d; Gill's Small Geography, is 6d; Todhunter's Small Algebra, Is. All as new. Handsome Anglo-American Fountain Pen, large gold nib, two gold bands, 6s. D. Roberts, 28 Stanthorpe rd., Streatham, London.

For sale; what offers? Phonetic Journals for 1902, complete, clean, and perfect, unbound. Littlefair, Westbourne terrace, Huddersfield rd., Halifax.

For sale, Gleanings, is 6d, and Reader, 6d, both Corresponding Style; Shorthand Examinations, by E. A. Cope, Reporting Style; Pitman's Civil Service Guide, and Part I. Pitman's Frer ch Grammar; the lot 2s 3d post-free. Also Chambers's Book-keeping (1s 6d), for 9d; De Fivas' French Grammar, new, is; Wellington College French Grammar, 1od; Gardiner's School Atlas of English History (new, 5s), 2s 3d; post-free. Send stamp for particulars of other French, Latin, and Mathematical works, cheap. H. Parker, Victoria terrace, Mold.

Wanted, John Bull and his Island in French, cheap. Barratt, 47 Glover st., Leeds.

For sale, post-free, Pitman's Manual of Phonography, cheap, is 3d ; also Collier's History of British Empire (1896), is 6d, good condition. James Harper, Sniperley Farm, Durham.

First six 6d parts Encyclopaedic Dictionary; 6s worth shorthand magazines; Teacher; Hunter's Self-Instruction in Book-keeping, with Key; and 7 P.S.W. Will sell or exchange for anything useful. Offers to C. Hudson, Aberford, Leeds.

Shorthand systems other than Pitman's wanted, and for sale. Cash or exchange. Lists exchanged. Silence a negative. Correspondence on systems invited. Steno, 37 Pullen's bdgs., Penton pl., London, S.E.

A list of some of the shorthand books, and vols. of magazines which I have for sale will appear in next week's issue; if you don't see what you require, enclose penny stamp for full list; in any case, watch next week's issue. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. [6f] Wanted, Assimilative Memory System, by Professor Loisette, published in New York. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E.

TO SHORTHAND LEARNERS.-Students commencing the study of Pitman's Shorthand are recommended to obtain 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 Publishers. 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; 3s. 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 subscription same as above.

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ORGANIZED PHONOGRAPHIC WORK.

Organizations, like individuals, find it useful at the
beginning of a New Year to make a survey of their
position and prospects. The various bodies that now
exist for the purpose of supplying the needs of phono-
graphers have, it seems to us, good reason on the whole
to be gratified with the position to which they have
attained, and are entitled to contemplate the future
with a good deal of hope and a good deal of confidence.
As far as teachers are concerned, no one can complain
of a lack of provision for the protection and promotion
of their interests. With the I.S.S.T. and the I.P.S.
both providing periodical meetings for the discussion of
every aspect of the work of the public and private
instructor in Phonography, with examinations, con-
ferences, magazines, and other agencies for contributing
to the completeness of the equipment of the teacher,
there is no reason why anybody who is capable of
giving instruction should not reap to the full the benefits
of organization. Those who remain outside all such
bodies, and would rather grumble at some real or
supposed shortcomings than join and endeavour to
remove whatever defects exist, have only themselves to
blame if they are deprived of the advantages that others
derive from association with their fellow-workers.

The new scheme put forth by the I.P.S. for the

examination of teachers of typewriting illustrates the

solicitude that is so generally felt for the teacher. The

standard of efficiency that that examination scheme

holds up is undoubtedly high. The tests are thorough

and searching, and unless the examiners show an unex-

pected amount of leniency in dealing with candidates

and their papers, it will be impossible not to say that a

man or a woman who succeeds in passing will beyond

all question be a teacher of competence and ability.

This examination is to be one of the experiments of the

New Year, and it is an experiment that will be watched

with considerable interest. At the meeting at which

the details of the scheme were announced, nothing but

approval was heard. Time has hardly yet allowed of

the expression of much in the way of criticism, but the

details are likely to be discussed-and not improbably

in a critical spirit-by outsiders. The examination

itself is but one symptom of a larger fact--the deter-

mination of the I.P.S. to organize typists and teachers

of typewriting as well as phonographers and teachers of

Phonography. 1903 thus opens with abundant evidence

of the recognition among phonographers and typists of

the value of organization.

Of the Association movement there is not much to

say that is new. Thanks to the District and other con-
ferences arranged from time to time by the Federation,
every phase of that movement finds itself voiced, and
even minor questions receive plentiful discussion.
Criticism makes itself heard now and then as to the
methods of particular societies, and sometimes one
might think, from the comments of speakers at Federa-
tion gatherings and of scribes in the phonographic press
that the Association movement itself is in a bad way.
Lately we have heard of Associations where "ping-
pong" is said to be rather more in favour than speed
practice. We do not feel unduly alarmed. The in-
door pastime that has taken so strong a hold upon the
country within the last two years will never supersede,
the work of the phonographic association. Any
Association that makes an attempt to rely upon that
pastime as a means of gaining and retaining members
will soon, we are convinced, discover the folly of doing
so. Nobody in these days would seek to limit the
scope of the S.W.A. But its main business is with
shorthand; and any forgetfulness of that fact will be
fatal. Still we do not believe that there is likely to be
exhibited on any but the most infinitesimal scale a for-
getfulness of that fact, and we are satisfied that as far
as the Associations generally are concerned the year
upon which we have but lately entered brings with it
prospects of increased usefulness, increased apprecia-
tion, and increased prosperity.

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In view of the passing of the new Education Act, Messrs Jordan and Sons, Ltd., have brought out a handbook dealing with the subject, under the editorship of Mr H. C. Richards, K.C., M.P., and Mr Henry Lynn, barrister-at-law, both exmembers of the School Board for London.

Mr F. Carruthers Gould is engaged on another volume of his "Froissart's Modern Chronicles." It will deal, in the same style of description and illustrations as his book published in February last, with the principal political events of the year just closed. This second volume will, like the first, be published by Mr Fisher Unwin.

At the meeting of the Typists' Section of the I.P.S. the other day, Mr G. W. Lambert quoted what he described as an old copy book maxim, a piece of advice that every person who proposes to sit at an examination in shorthand or in typewriting would do well to bear in mind. It is better so runs the maxim-"to be prepared and not go, than to go and not be prepared.'

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Messrs Bell are issuing very shortly another volume of their edition of Swift's prose works. It contains his Drapier letters, which Mr Temple Scott has been at great pains in editing. He prints with them notes throwing much light on the manner in which they were written and on their contents. The volumes still remaining to complete the edition will contain Swift's miscellaneous writings. In the final one there will be a full biography of Swift, which will add much to the existing stories of his life.

The lectures to be given by Mr C. A. Montague Barlow, LL.D., on Commercial and Industrial Law in connection with the London Chamber of Commerce series of lectures during Lent term which begins on 15th Jan., deal with the law of contract generally, mercantile contracts, the law relating to bills of exchange and cheques, banking law, charter parties, bills of lading, insurance contracts, the sale of goods, agency law, and contracts on the Stock Exchange. The lectures are delivered on Thursday evenings, and syllabuses can be obtained from the Commercial Education Department of the Chamber, 10 Eastcheap, London, E.C.

The Governors of the London School of Economics and Political Science have issued their program for the Lent Term, which begins on Monday next. This school undertakes to provide for all classes the opportunity for pursuing a regular course of education of the highest grade, as required by the University of London. All courses for a first degree are so arranged that students who can only attend in the evening may meet the full requirements of the University. The University College of London has also issued a list of lectures to be delivered there during the course of the next

two terms.

TYPEWRITING NOTES.

We learn from the Law Times that: "The practice of employing the typewriter for making copies of legal documents has spread so rapidly of late years, even among the most conservative offices in Scotland, that manuscript copying has been almost entirely ousted. The other day an attempt was made to get the court to render the use of the typewriter practically compulsory. The auditor, in taxing an account of expenses, stated that if typewriting had been employed to make the copies of documents used in the case, £34 8s. 6d. would have been saved. A motion was accordingly made to have this sum taxed off the account, but the court refused to go so far as this, while indicating that they might possibly make a new rule in the future if they found that undue expense was occasioned by the multiplication of hand-written copies. Litigants have always the protection of an Act of Sederunt of 1876, which provides that if more than three copies of documents are necessary, printing must be resorted to. In the case in question only two copies were made,"

The latest use for a typewriter has been discovered in a well-known establishment in the West End, where a machine is being used to serve the purpose of a cash register. The machine is installed in the cashier's office, and whenever a sale is recorded the operator writes the amount on a specially ruled piece of paper. The column of figures is added up at the end of the day, and the paper is filed in a book-file, thus preserving an absolute record of the day's business in detail.

The Hyderabad Chronicle for 12th Nov. contains a graphic account of a fancy dress ball, held at Shapurwadi, from which we learn that "A young Parsee buck came in a white suit with a large typewriter picture on his chest and numerous small ones in varied coloured large wafers all over his clothes. He took good care to tell everyone he was a Remington typewriter. 'I am agent here for them,' he added. What a pity he didn't carry a real typewriter on his head he might have done a 'deal,' and thus combined business with pleasure."

JAMES MONTGOMERY AND SHORTHAND. BY ALEXANDER PATERSON, F.J.I.

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It is related of James Montgomery, the Sheffield poet and journalist, that, though he conducted an influential weekly newspaper for over thirty years, he never employed a regular reporter in his establishment. Local news was for the most part given in the form of crisp little paragraphs, while his comments, which partook of the character of the modern leaderette, were often intermitted for weeks in succession. Nevertheless he, during the greater part of his life, took a keen interest in shorthand, and used a system of his own devising. In his speech as chairman of one of Mr Joseph Pitman and Mr T. A. Reed's meetings at Sheffield, in February, 1844, he thus referred to his own system: For more than fifty years," he said, "I have practised a form of shorthand. I learned it at first for amusement, and I have used it almost exclusively in making original notes in books for purposes of reference. During this time several systems have come under my observation, but I have not met with any better than my own, nor many so good. In Mr Pitman's, for the first time, I found one which clearly convinced me that it was superior to my own, and to any that had come under my observation. I never attempted to write with quickness, but for memoranda. I never tried my speed in it, nor put it to the proof how far, by diligent practice, I should be able to follow a speaker. My conviction, if I may call it so, has long been that it was all but impossible for any system in theory to be so practised as to follow a speaker, as I am now speaking to you. This conviction has been partly confirmed by the difficulty I have found in writing and afterwards in reading. The day before yesterday Mr Pitman and his young friend called on me to show me some of the mysteries of his system; and they perfectly convinced me that, whatever might be the case with other systems, an intelligent speaker who spoke intelligibly might be followed. Books lay on my table which neither of these gentlemen had seen before. We took them up, and long passages, both in prose and poetry, were read and accurately put down. This convinced me that speeches may be reported most accurately, and that which I conceived to be impossible may, by this system, be done."

In Holland and Everett's "Memoirs of the Life and Writings of James Montgomery," there are other allusions to shorthand. In April, 1823, he met at the house of a mutual friend in Sheffield, Mr Thomas Molineux, of Macclesfield, one of the editors of the Byrom system, when the conversation naturally reverted to matters stenographic. The author of one of the minor shorthand systems of that day, a Mr Kitchingman, had spent a few hours the previous week with Molineux at Chester, when he produced a paper purporting to be Mr Montgomery's testimony to the merits of his system, and Molineux now put the direct question to Montgomery, Pray, sir, did you really write the document? "

The latter admitted that he did.

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"He waited upon me,' Mr Montgomery went on to say, "and wished me to notice his visit to Sheffield, and also to mention the merits of his writing in the Iris. Of course, he explained and insisted upon its advantages; and, as he appeared to be an ingenious and deserving young man, I felt unwilling to deny him any little benefit he could derive from my opinion in that way; but before saying anything I resolved to make myself master of his method. I did so, and thinking it at once an elegant and practicable shorthand, I wrote the paragraph you mention. I am, however, of opinion with you that it is very arbitrary in its construction, and, therefore, requires perhaps as much from the memory as it apparently gives to the hand in comparison with Byrom's." The merits of the two systems named and several others were discussed, Montgomery evincing by his remarks that he had paid considerable attention to the subject.

A word respecting the long since forgotten Kitchingman system, which Montgomery was at the trouble of learning with a view to testing its merits. There were three separate publications of the system, one at Lincoln in 1815, where the author was master of a school; another at Glasgow in 1818; and a third at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1828. A copy of the latter lies before me. It is a tiny tractate of eight pages, with one folding plate, the latter containing, or professing to contain, a complete presentation of the system. The price at which it was sold was a shilling, and its cheapness may be said to have constituted its sole merit. The preface which is signed with the initials "P.S." is dated " Newcastle-uponTyne, March, 1828," and this edition was, in all probability, a posthumous one. Its distinguishing feature is a double alphabet, and this is claimed to be one of considerable utility. "The terminations, eight in number, are the most frequent in the English language; and some of the second characters in the alphabet are used for inseparable prepositions." Speaking impartially, I should hesitate to say that it merited Mr Montgomery's well intentioned, but rather injudicious "testimonial."

The circumstances connected with the visit of Mr Joseph Pitman and Mr Thomas Allen Reed to Sheffield, during the early spring of 1844, on which occasion Mr Montgomery took the chair at one of their meetings, as above stated, were not merely narrated in the Phonotypic Journal at the time, but are recapitulated in Mr Reed's " Chapters on the Early History of Phonography," published some fifteen years ago. There is also a reference to them in Montgomery's Memoirs," from which I have already quoted, but it is a very imperfect and inaccurate one. The time is given as the latter end of March, whereas it was the latter end of February; a person of the name of Pitman" is superciliously referred to as the author of the system, whereas he was merely the author's brother; while the report given of Montgomery's speech is so emasculated that no one reading it would imagine that he had made any complimentary allusion to the system. Even the verses which Montgomery wrote for the occasion, and which he read at the close of the meeting, are incorrectly rendered. The fact is Montgomery had been "taken possession of " a number of years before his death by the two gentlemen who had made up their minds to be his biographers, and who, as one writer has truthfully said, have so elaborately contrived to minimize the poet, by lifting him off his pedestal and putting him on the table on which they were exhibiting themselves in a burlesque of Boswell and Johnson." Holland, after hearing Montgomery's explanation of the test to which he had submitted Mr Reed (then be it remembered, a youth of only some eighteen years), took upon himself to lecture him in this fashion: "I have myself seen enough to be convinced of the professional ingenuity both of the lecturer and the writer: still I must be permitted to express my regret that you should have been persuaded to allow your name to appear as one of the patrons of Mr Pitman's meetings; and still more that you should have written a line on the subject!" Yet Mr Holland was a worthy, and on most subjects a broad minded man, himself long the editor of a Sheffield newspaper, and a poet of no

mean reputation. The fact is that, owing to the number of empirical and worthless systems in the market during the early half of the Nineteenth century, the art of shorthand had been in a large measure discredited, and the new Pitman system which was only beginning to feel its way, was long viewed by outsiders with a considerable amount of suspicion.

Mr Montgomery's lines have often been quoted and need not be reproduced here. They are eminently vigorous and pointed, and took immensely when he read them, as was evidenced by the applause with which they were greeted. He lived just ten years after Messrs Pitman and Reed's visit, dying on the last day of April, 1854, in his 83rd year. His name and memory are still fondly cherished in the town of his adoption, and which, smoky though it is, derives not slight lustre from his long connection with it.

TYPEWRITING EXAMINATIONS.

At the meeting of the Typists' Section of the I.P.S. held in the St Bride's Institute, Bride lane, E.C., on Saturday, 3rd Jan., Mr A. E. Morton (Examiner in Typewriting to the Society of Arts) delivered before a crowded audience a lecture on "How to Pass Typewriting Examinations." Mr J. W. Poole was in the chair.

After some general remarks as to the value of examinations to candidates as a means of testing their knowledge and skill, Mr Morton proceeded to give an analysis of the various tests customary at examinations in typewriting, dealing with the time test, miscellaneous MSS., tabulated statements, correspondence, and theory questions on the machine and on the elements of composition, office procedure, etc., illustrating his analysis with numerous hints, comments, and examples.

The next portion of the address was directed specially to teachers. The points making for success in teaching typewriting so as to ensure the success of pupils at an examination were continuity of study, adequate practice, adequate equipment, the limitation of classes to suitably educated pupils, systematic class instruction in the arrangement of documents, and the principles of office procedure. Individual practice for the acquirement of manipulative dexterity was absolutely necessary, as was also the efficient use of the blackboard by the teacher. Mr Morton went on to point out the importance of oral questioning, home-work, the correction of students' exercises, the advantage of dictation practice, and periodical school examinations.

Turning to students, the lecturer discussed the points making for success in their practice. These were a thorough knowledge of the machine, correct manipulation, correct spelling, punctua tion, syllabication, capitalization and paragraphing, an acquaintance with the various uses of the characters, "combination signs," etc., the acquirement of a good style of correspondence, the knowledge of the more common postal rates and regulations, and of press-copying, indexing, and cross-referencing, the ability to apply quickly the rule for the sub-division of the scale in tabular work, and to manipulate the tabulator correctly, the ability to read difficult MSS., and a knowledge of the correct display of various kinds of documents.

At the actual examination, the points to be borne in mind by the candidate were the provision of the machine and other apparatus, the importance of early attendance for preliminary practice, the necessity of filling in the required particulars as to name, age, etc., accurately and legibly, and of reading carefully the directions on the examination papers and adhering to those directions, of using a fresh sheet for each test paper, of typing on one side only, and of avoiding the excessive use of the eraser. They should place accuracy before speed, and he recommended with regard to theory questions the answers to which required original composition, that those answers should first be drafted on scribbling paper. A careful scrutiny of the worked papers was preferable to handing them in before the expiration of the allotted time; and they should exercise care in fastening up the papers.

The lecture was illustrated by a fine series of lantern slides, and concluded with a number of "awful examples" in the shape of specimens of bad work by incompetent candidates at past Society of Arts examinations. A hearty vote of thanks was awarded to the lecturer at the close of his address.

The next meeting will be held in conjunction with the meeting of the Teachers' Section on Saturday, 24th Jan., when Mr J. W. Poole will give a lecture on "Shorthand and the Typewriter."

OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY.

THE REV. W. F. DAWSON.

The Rev. William Francis Dawson, pastor of the Congregational Church at Lichfield, and author of an important work recently published by Elliot Stock, entitled "Christmas: its Origin and Associations, together with its Historical Events and Festive Celebrations during Nineteen Centuries: depicted by pen and pencil," is a phonographer of many years' standing, and has had an extensive experience in journalistic life, having been by turns printer, reporter, newspaper manager, editor, and newspaper proprietor.

He was born at Atherstone, in Warwickshire, on 16th May, 1849, and during infancy was taken by his parents to Coventry, where he was educated, and afterwards trained in printing and

journalism.

It was in the

leisure hours of a seven years' apprenticeship, served in the office of the Coventry Standard, that he acquired Phonography. Teachers were scarce in those days, and the only assistance he received, apart from that afforded by the text-books, consisted of the occasional advice, instruction, and encouragement of a personal frienda young pupil teacher-who had begun to learn the system a little while before. The latter afterwards became an excellent certificated phonographer and a professional reporter. The two friends often studied and practised together to their mutual advantage, and used to correspond in Phonography for some years afterwards, until the death of the late Mr H. J. Hodson, of Coventry, ended the correspondence.

The newly gained knowledge was soon put to use, and within eight years after the commencement of his apprenticeship, Mr Dawson found himself installed

in the responsible post of chief reporter and business manager of the paper. He received the additional appointment of local representative of the Birmingham Daily Gazette. After some years of successful newspaper management, he joined Mr W. I. Iliffe in the purchase of the Coventry Times, the Warwick and Leamington Times, and the Atherstone and Nuneaton Times, three newspapers that during the nine years in which Mr Dawson remained interested in them were greatly improved, and grew in circulation, influence, and value. At the end of that period, desiring to have more time at his disposal for Christian work, in which he had been always more or less engaged, he sold his interest in the newspapers and in the printing business connected with them, to his partner, Mr Iliffe. But he was not destined to remain long out of harness. After a short lapse of time he was again busily engaged in newspaper work,

but in an entirely new district. He became one of the proprietors of the Sidcup, Bromley and District Times series of Kentish newspapers, and for several years took an active part in their management.

While thus engaged he was residing at Sidcup, and was occasionally preaching and helping on the temperance movement, of which he has always been an ardent supporter. The love of Christian work grew upon him, and ultimately he accepted a "call," resigned his position on the Press, and became an ordained Congregational minister.

The portrait presented on this page is reproduced from a work entitled "Congregationalism in Shropshire," in which volume it appeared in connection with the history of the Congregational church at Madeley Market, of which Mr Dawson was pastor for some years before

he received an invitation to accept the pastorate that he now holds.

In Jan., 1867, Mr Dawson became a member of the Phonetic Society, and in due course received the proficiency and teacher's certificates, granted in those days by Sir Isaac Pitman. He undertook the task of correcting learners' exercises gratuitously through the post, and received from the Inventor of the system many presents of phonographic books in recognition of these services. He is a rapid shorthand writer, and in his earlier days was often retained for special notetaking in important legal, ecclesiastical, and other matters. In connection with the Merchandise Marks Act, he accompanied a deputation from Coventry to the Foreign Office, to take shorthand notes of the speeches of Lord Derby (then Foreign Minister), the late Sir H. M. Jackson, Q.C., M.P. for Coventry, and others. He has been a contributor to Great Thoughts, and several other magazines, and to many daily and weekly newspapers, and wrote much of the local descriptive matter for "Stevens's Coventry, Leamington, Nuneaton, Kenilworth, and Warwick Directory" for 1880. The article on "Coventry" in "Chambers's Encyclopædia," published in 1889, is from his pen. "The Royal Visit to Coventry in 1874," an illustrated volume preserved in the Unique Department of the British Museum Library, contains Mr Dawson's reports of the local festivities on the occasion of the visit of the King and Queen (then the Prince and Princess of Wales) to the ancient Midland city. In 1897 an "Ode in Honour of the Diamond Jubilee," elicited the thanks of the late Queen Victoria to the author, Mr Dawson, who subsequently celebrated the proclamation of King Edward VII. with appropriate For his lines, "Honour the King," he had the satisfaction of receiving an acknowledgment from the

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