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The Company proved unsuccessful, and resolutions were passed to carry out the following scheme of reconstruction:1. That the I preference shares be reduced to an equal number of fully paid shares of 10s. each.

2. That the £1 ordinary shares be reduced to an equal number of fully paid shares of 6s. 8d. each.

3. That the amount thus rendered available for the reduction of the assets be apportioned as follows:

The Preliminary Expenses Account, Profit and Loss Account, and Advertising Suspense Account to be written off entirely. £1,200 to be written off Leasehold Works Account. £1,400 to be written off the Stock Account. 20 per cent. Depreciation to be written off the Machinery and Plant Account, and the balance available to be written off the Patents Account.

Prepare a Balance Sheet giving effect to these proposals. (The answer to the above paper will appear in our next issue)

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Dear Sirs,-In reply to your ❘ letter of the 4th inst., instructing us to estimate the cost of alterations to your premises, No. 11 Doncaster street, we beg to report that we have inspected the same. The house itself is in a very bad condition. All the upper rooms would require new ceilings. A new range would be required in the kitchen, the cost of which would be £80. All the rooms need new paper. The electric light installation would be the most expensive item, | and alone would amount to £100. The papering (1) and ceilings of the rooms would come to about £80, | bringing the total of repairs to house excluding shop | to £260. Very little repairing would be required to the inside of the shop, it being the only part of the premises which is in good condition; the ceiling will need to be whitened, but this will only amount to about £3. The ornamental window | guards would cost about £30. There would be a new showboard required, the cost of which would amount to | £5 The sun shade you suggested would come to (2) about £40 There would also be required two plate | glass windows, value £10 each, as two windows in the shop are badly cracked. If favoured with your esteemed order, we guarantee repairs to be completed inside three weeks; | we also guarantee our work for four years.

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AMERICAN NOTES AND NEWS.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

Phonetic Journal office,

31 Union square, New York.

In regard to the systems of shorthand officially used in Ottawa, Canada, Mr Charles A. Matthews, C.S.R., VicePresident, Press Gallery, Ottawa, remarks: "It will interest you to know that the Isaac Pitman system is the only one now used in this Gallery; moreover, of the Hansard staff, which reports the proceedings of the House, five of the six English reporters write the Isaac Pitman system, and the seventh is a writer of one of the modifications of the Isaac Pitman Phonography."

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Mrs K. Wells, 36 Toronto street, Toronto, Canada, writes: "In my opinion, I consider there is only one choice of a system of shorthand, and that is Isaac Pitman's.' Any intelligent person who has a thorough knowledge of shorthand or the different systems, could not conscientiously come to any other decision. Through force of circumstances I was in a way compelled to teach Cross's system, and I regret to say since I have a school under my own control and teach Pitman exclusively, many of my former pupils have returned and said Why did you not teach me Pitman's,' also in a prominent insurance company of Toronto, one of my 'Cross' shorthand writers holds a good position, but the Manager told her if she would return to my school and learn Pitman's system he would pay her tuition fees. I advertise and can prove from pupils in my school to-day that Pitman's Shorthand, if properly taught, can be learned in just as short a time as any so-called easy system, though remember I do not advocate teaching any system of shorthand in less time than six months. Any person who is a teacher and has a thorough knowledge of the English language himself, knows the average pupil's vocabulary is so limited that he has to learn the English language in connection with his shorthand, and cannot master them both even in six months. Just here let me remark, if the Business College teacher were required to pass an examination to qualify him to teach, there would be less failures in business college work."

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Perhaps the largest order ever given for shorthand books was that received from the Merchants' and Bankers' School, 59th Street and Madison ave., New York city. The order in question was received from Messrs Estey, McNeece and Gardner, and read as follows; "Kindly enter our order for one thousand (1,000) copies of the Isaac Pitman Complete Shorthand Instructor'; five hundred (500) copies of the 'Van Sant System of Touch Typewriting' (pamphlet form), and one each of every book in the Isaac Pitman system for our school library. We take this opportunity to congratulate you on the marvellous growth of the Isaac Pitman Shorthand throughout the country, and especially in and around New York City. We would further say, that we are satisfied the results we are getting in our teaching are largely due to the excellence of the system we have adopted."

THE USE OF SHORTHAND BY THE
PHYSICIAN.

In Great Britain the cultivation of the art of shorthand by members of the medical profession has made considerable progress, thanks to the efforts of the Society of Medical Phonographers, but in the United States there is no such organization for the promotion of phonographic skill on the part of medical men. This fact should be remembered in

reading the following valuable advocacy of "The Use of Shorthand by the Physician," which Francis H. MacCarthy. M.D., Boston, contributes to the Phonographic Magazine:

Shorthand is not used to any great extent by members of the medical profession, while quite the reverse is true in regard to members of certain of the other professions. The reasons for this are apparent when we consider the facts. Few stenographers enter the medical profession, but many become members of the legal fraternity. The transition from an amanuensis in a lawyer's office to a lawyer is a natural process. A young man of earnest purpose taking up the work of a stenographer in such an office, if he works hard and shows ability, is very apt to be asked by his employer to report a private hearing, and later on, testimony in court. As he becomes more and more proficient, and conversant with the affairs of his employer, he will very likely be impelled, either by his own interest and ambition, the suggestion of a friend, or by the request of his employer, to study law, and thus the stenographer becomes a lawyer.

Such is not the case, however, with the young medical student. Twenty or thirty years ago it was a common custom for an old physician to become preceptor to a young man, and many successful physicians commenced their careers in this way. What was then a common custom is to-day an exception. The relatively few physicians who have assistants usually employ a lady, who serves not only as a stenographer and clerk, but as an attendant.

The use of shorthand, however, is becoming more and more widespread, and since its introduction into the public schools and the curriculum of colleges, parents, realizing the practical utility of the study, are seeing to it that their sons and daughters master this useful accomplishment before they leave the preparatory school. Some of the ultra-fashionable private schools that ten years ago would not have a course in shorthand, now regard that study as a necessity in a wellequipped preparatory school. Therefore, we may expect that more physicians will know shorthand in the future than at present.

The doctor who is familiar with shorthand is fortunate, for it adds just so much to his power, and is sure to become one of his most useful servants. In the office he may wish to take down the family history and symptoms of a patient. If he is called upon to testify in court it is very helpful to be able to take the exact words of an expert witness on the opposing side, and in the trying cross-examination his position would be just so much strengthened.

What physician while attending a medical convention has not wished during the discussion of his paper by one of his colleagues that he could write down the exact words of a certain remark? He may have been very busy with professional interests, and arrives at the medical meeting just in time to hear a paper which he will be called upon to discuss. The writer has seen such a man laboriously writing out in longhand points upon which he wishes to speak. Only a few months ago one of the most prominent surgeons in Boston was heard to remark, "If I only knew shorthand it would save me much drudgery."

Physicians are busy men. Most doctors have a telephone. Often they have it on their desk ready for instant use, and an instrument which was once considered a luxury has become a necessity, and the busy man wonders how he ever did without it. So it is with this art where one outline may take the place of three or more words, and once mastered and used, the busy physician will rejoice that he has ready at hand his system of lines and hooks which save so much time, fitting in now here, now there, in the course of a busy day, and altogether making up a considerable part of the machinery of every-day life.

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SHEFFIELD JOINT CONFERENCE.

The Annual Joint Conference of the Incorporated Society of Shorthand Teachers and the National Federation of S.W.A's., held at Sheffield on May 30th and June ist, was in every sense a successful gathering. Over one hundred teachers, delegates, and visitors attended the various meetings, and the whole proceedings were characterized by harmony and good feeling. The conference received a hearty welcome from the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Mr Alderman J. Wycliffe Wilson, and the Master Cutler, Mr A. J. Hobson. The first paper was one by the Rev. A. B. Haslam, M.A. (Head Master of the Sheffield Royal Grammar School) on The Place of the Specialist in Commercial Education' aroused the deep interest of the Conference from the outset, and the tone thus set was maintained in the papers read in the subsequent meetings. A full report of the proceedings will appear in next week's Journal.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION AT BRISBANE.

It

THE MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS ON SHORTHAND
AND THE CIVIL SERVICE.

The annual presentation of certificates in connection with Kerr's Shorthand Academy took place in the Edward street Arcade, Brisbane, Queensland, on 6th April. The Hon. J. Leahy (Minister for Railways) acted as Chairman, and there were also present:--Messrs A. J. Lamont, M.L.A., W. H. G. Marshall town clerk), J. Shirley, B Sc. (Education Department), E. G. Oxley, and F. Hoey (examiners), and John Kerr, instructor. A total of 79 certificates was presented, namely 35 theoretical and 44 speed; ladies took 56 certificate; and gentlemen 23.

land had taken the first practical step in throwing the Civil Service open to both men and women. In the coming Federal examinations the rules would not allow women to compete with men for the clerical departments. The Government of Queensland had thrown open their positions to the women of the State, and there was no reason why a lady should not be Under Secretary some day. Mr Leahy then continued in a bright, cheery speech on the work that lay before the students in life. The more brilliant ones must go on to fresh heights, and not be content to live on past exertions; those who had not figured so well must come steadily along towards the same goal. Over and over again the plodders and the less brilliant students figured most largely on the platform of life. As Sir Isaac Pitman had said, "Practise! Practise!! Practise!!!"' Also he might add persevere and hope, and be prepared to work, and not play through life.

Votes of thanks were accorded the examiners (Messrs Heathwood, Hoey, and Oxley), and the Chairman. Special reference was made to Miss M'Laughlin, a niece of Mr Leahy, who had made remarkable progress in shorthand, and attained to the speed of 150 words per minute. She was the second lady in Queensland to achieve that distinction. With little more than a month's practice she had successfully passed the Civil Service examination, obtaining 199 out of 200 marks for shorthand.

SHORTHAND IN THE PHILIPPINES.

We have received the following from" Ex-Officer," Manila, Philippine Islands: "I was a member of one of the first regiments of United States infantry to arrive in the Philippines at the beginning of the Filipino war, and since that time have been in the country engaged in commercial pursuits. I have had a good chance to observe conditions in general from Manila to Zamboanago, and I can say that with the development of business there has sprung up a demand for shorthand writers that is astonishing. Since the muster out of my regiment I have been associated with business interests calling for shorthand men, and have not been able to secure the services of these men. They are everywhere wanted, and at such good salaries that the common, every-day merchant cannot afford to have one in his employ. Stenography has come to be one of the established business customs of the country, as might be expected under American rule, with the result that the various departments of the army, public administration, and business draw heavily upon the limited corps here."

I.P.S. TYPISTS' SECTION.

LONDON DISTRICT.

The Hon. J. Leahy, in making the presentation, observed that he knew a little about shorthand himself. People talked about writing at a speed of 200 words per minute, but it was difficult to speak at that rate, and any person who could write 150 words in accordance with the high standard required by Mr Kerr was capable of taking a position in any reporters' gallery in the world. Like Miss Burston, Miss M'Laughlin was one of the successful candidates in the Civil Service examination, the results of which were just published. The children of his day had not the schooling facilities which existed to-day, and probably the modern student would pass higher examinations than his father and mother at his age. As a youngster he had learned shorthand up to 100 words per minute. There had been many changes in the system since that time. Still he was sufficiently well up in the matter to take a very keen interest in the education of the young people of the State, and in their being able to write and transcribe shorthand notes. He did not know anything that would be more advantageous to them than the study of this system of shorthand. The instances that Mr Kerr had given them that night were sufficient to show his meaning without any other examples, because Mr Kerr assured them that several of the pupils, who would otherwise have been present, had received places of emolument and profit after gaining their certificates. He could congratulate Mr Kerr on those pupils. It was right that the students should have INC. SOCIETY OF SHORTHAND TEACHERS. a practical aim in everything, and it was better that these absent ones should be earning a livelihood than receiving certificates Mr Kerr had laid stress on the fact that the great bulk of those who had been successful were females He (Mr Leahy) was very pleased to see it. The audience would notice by the Press that evening that the Civil Service of Queensland had been thrown open to the women. been open before, but this was the first examination in which both sexes took part, and the girls had figured very creditably on the list. The highest place was taken by a young woman of 19 years. That showed that women had sufficient intellect to compete with males, for they had not only reached but topped the men. A lot had been heard about the work done for women in other States, but he thought that Queens

It had

The first annual meeting of the above Section will be held on Saturday, 13th June, at St Bride's Institute, Ludgate Circus, E.C., at 5 o'clock. Business, presentation of report and accounts for the seven months ending 31st May, election of committee and officers for the ensuing year, etc. All members are requested to be present.

MANCHESTER DISTRICT.

Owing to special circumstances having arisen, it has been found necessary to alter the date of the quarterly meeting to the 20th June, instead of the 13th as previously announced. Will all teachers interested kindly note the alteration.

BUSINESS WOMEN.-Women in business on their own account have, the Drapers' Record says, much in their favour. As a rule, they are not speculative, they are far-seeing, they have patience, are more attentive to what they take in hand, and, if they know their business, they can more quickly build up a connection than can a man. But they are less systematic in their book-keeping.

INCORPORATED PHONOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.

LONDON.

The second ramble of the season took place on Saturday, 23rd May, when a party of members spent a pleasant afternoon and evening in the fields of Kent, the region explored being the country in the neighbourhood of Orpington and Farnborough. Favoured with perfect weather, the ramblers had an enjoyable outing.

At the meeting at the Arcadian on the following Thursday, 28th May, a paper contributed by Mr J. Stringer, of the Belfast Mercantile College, on "Official Reporting in Ireland," was read by Mr H. T. Bailey. At no time had the art of the reporter been so extensively employed in Ireland as in England. The extinction in Ireland of the institution which in England fostered and developed, if it did not create, the work of the reporter, left Ireland without that stimulus for information about Parliamentary proceedings and political news, which might have supplied an incentive for the equipment and employment of the shorthand writer and reporter, first within and later without the walls of the Irish Parliament. But with the union, Irish oratory was transferred to London, and the need and opportunity for Irish Parliamentary reports ceased, and with them died, for a period at any rate, the reporter and his work. After an interesting account of early reporting in the sister isle from the Sixteenth century downwards, Mr Stringer resumed his narrative from the date of the union. Till the repeal agitation there was no demand for the services of the official reporter outside the law courts. But O'Connell's speeches during the agitation had to be reported for the Government, and the first appearance of the official reporter on an Irish platform was ludicrous enough. A Times reporter was sent over for the purpose: O'Connell nonplussed him by speaking in Irish. Mr Stringer concluded with a series of interesting reminiscences of his personal experiences as an official reporter in Ireland during the Land League agitation-a narrative which was listened to with great attention. A hearty vote of thanks was awarded to the lecturer, and to Mr Bailey for reading the address. A program of the District arrangements for the summer months has been issued, copies of which can be obtained from the Secretary, Mr H. J. Cork, 2 Reedholm road, Stoke Newington, London, N. The following are the arrangements for the next few weeks:June 18.-Paper, "Foreign Competition," Mr W. D. Stevens. 25.-Quarterly examination for speed certificates, 7 p.m.

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27. (Saturday) Annual River Trip: Molesey to Windsor. (Tickets of Secretary.) July 2-Speed practice 7 to 9 p.m. Special examination at 200 and 220 words per minute, 7 p.m. 9.-Lecture," Commercial Supremacy," Mr Herbert J. Reeder.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Teachers of Phonography and Secretaries of Shorthand Writers' Associations are invited to send us Announcements of Classes, Meetings, Lectures, Discussions, etc., for this column. Announcements are inserted free of charge.

COLOMBO (CEYLON).—Mr J. Crosby Rodrigo, who is a F.I.P.S. and local representative, is prepared to give lessons in shorthand, typewriting, book-keeping and commercial accounts on very moderate terms, at his residence, 134 Hultsdorf street, Colombo. The Ceylon Independent, in making the announcement, observes that Mr Rodrigo is about the most competent instructor in shorthand and typewriting in the island, and this is confirmed by the fact that he was the instructor in these subjects when they formed a part of the syllabus at the Technical College. Mr Rodrigo has passed the highest examinations of the Phonetic Institute, Bath, and the Incorporated Phonographic Society. He has been engaged as a teacher of shorthand since 1895. Among those who have passed through his hands in the inculcation of the winged art is Mr A. P. Savundranayagam, the University scholar, now in England, who was the first Ceylon candidate who passed in shorthand in the Cambridge Local Examination. The last mail from England brought certificates of competency in shorthand from the Phonetic Institute, Bath, to Messrs B. H. Preena, W. R. Quarty, John A. Dias, and A. C. M. Fathed, pupils of Mr J. Crosby Rodrigo.

DUBLIN.-During the summer months the evening classes will be conducted from 4 o'clock in the New Century School of Shorthand, Typewriting, Commercial and Civil Service Training, 6 Camden street, Upper, by Mr W. Johnston, certificated shorthand teacher, assisted by certificated teachers only.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Answers to all inquiries relating to Shorthand, Typewriting, Commercial Education, Commercial Law, the Civil Service, and kindred subjects, will be published as soon after receipt as possible. but correspondents are requested to bear in mind that in some instances research taking time may be needful before satisfactory information can be furnished, and also that this Journal is sent to press eleven days in advance of the date of publication. Correspondents can be answered under initials or a pseudonym, whichever they prefer, but their names and addresses must be forwarded as a guarantee of good faith. All letters of inquiry should be addressed EDITOR, PITMAN'S PHONETIC JOURNAL, PHONETIC INSTITUTE, Bath.

OUTLINES.-Vibrona inquires why the final hook in the phrase these-occasions, is placed beneath the horizontal consonant instead of above it, as in the outline for occasion. The reason is stated in par. 106 of the "Instructor," the change in the direction of the hook being due to the necessity for preserving the straightness of the hook after the consonants sk.-W. D. L. (Bandiku), is learning shorthand without a teacher, and is puzzled by the position above the line which he finds adopted for words containing a first-place vowel. This position is employed because it is that which the words will assume when written according to position in the Reporting Style, when the vowel is indicated by position where it is not necessary to write it. Our correspondent does not mention what instruction books he has, but he should follow the examples set till he reaches the rules relating to "Writing in Position" in the "Reporter" or in Chap XXVIII. of the "Instructor." By following the examples he finds in the earlier parts of the instruction books, he will have accustomed himself in a measure to writing in position by the time he reaches the instruction on the subject.-G. S. C. (Nova Scotia) is advised that it is incorrect to add the n hook to because this double consonant is used only to indicate the termination ler; see par. 115 of the Instructor.-A. S. and E. T. (Natal) write that we were in error in giving a Dutch pronunciation to the word Majuba. The word is Zulu, meaning "pigeon," and is pronounced as spelt, namely

EVERCIRCULATORS.-W. H, who is an intending candidate for

a Second Division Clerkship, and has attained to a speed of from 60 to 70 words in shorthand, asks if membership of an evercirculator would be beneficial to him.-It would not. In order to get up to the needful shorthand rate he should, if possible, secure speed practice under a good shorthand master. As he has but a limited time for study, it would not be advisable for him to take up any portion of it with the recreative literary work promoted by evercirculators.

SPEED PRACTICE WITHOUT A Dictator.-W. P. sends us his experience of a method of speed practice which he has found very beneficial: 'If the note taker has nobody to read to him he might learn some poems or speeches, and write these at whatever speed he is able to. When I began to practise for speed, after having left off for a long time, I happened to know by heart Tam o' Shanter,' and five or six speeches from Shakspere. These I wrote over and over again. In a month I had increased my speed from 80 to 100 words a minute."

SHORTHAND AND TYPEWRITING.-Kathleen thinks of giving up the occupation of school teacher in favour of a position as shorthand-typist. -Her educational equipment is good, but as she has, as yet, no knowledge of the twin arts, it is a little premature to inquire about examinations. Her best plan would be to have a thorough course of training at a school of shorthand and typewriting, where she would be prepared in due course for the Society of Arts or other examinations, which would furnish her with the necessary qualifications. The machine she mentions would be one of the best for her to master. Salaries depend greatly on proficiency and experience, and she could not expect a very large amount to begin with. If Kathleen desires it, we will furnish her by post with the names of suitable schools in her neighbourhood.

STYLOGRAPHIC PEN.-Hardware inquires about the stylographic pen; he has heard that it is not possible to make thick downstrokes and thin upstrokes with it -The information he has obtained is quite correct. The stylographic pen is simply a point

and not a nib, and is hence not suitable for longhand writing in which it is desired to preserve any special characteristics. For phonographic writing, the stylo cannot be used. In answer to our correspondent's further question, "Would any good stylo suit anybody, regardless of the pen nib they use?" we can reply in the affirmative. There is a great deal of handwriting which can be very conveniently executed with the stylo; but if our correspondent wants a pocket writing instrument for longhand and shorthand he should procure a fountain pen by a well-known maker. Hardware could convert his handwriting into a good upright style with care. He should avoid the backward slope. Papers dealing with the ironmongering trade, in addition to that with which our correspondent is acquainted, are the Hardware Trade Journal, 8 Finsbury square, London, E C. (5s. per annum), and the Hardwareman, 62 Ludgate Hill, London, E.C. (3d. weekly).

Books For Beginners.-"What books would you advise me to begin with in shorthand, book-keeping, and typewriting?"' asks Beginner.-Our correspondent is, we imagine, going to take up a course of self-tuition. He cannot do better than obtain "Pitman's Shorthand Instructor" (price 3s. 6d.), and " Key" (price is.), for the first subject; "Pitman's Primer of Book-keeping" (price 1s.), and "Key" (price is.), with a set of MS books (price 8d.) for the second; while for the remaining subject "Pitman's Typewriter Manual" (price 3s) covers the whole ground and may be used with any machine.

ADVERTISEMENT WRITING.-C. B. (Hyderabad) writes, that the commercial students in that Indian city are very anxious to learn the art of advertisement writing. He asks therefore the name of any good school which gives instruction in this branch of business training, or of books or newspapers which teach it. As far as we know, no English schools have yet arranged courses in advertisement writing, nor is there any text-book on the subject.

FRENCH SHORTHAND SOCIETY.-A correspondent writes that W. L. can obtain information relative to the Institut Sténographique des Deux Mondes, from the Secretary, 62 Rue Buonaparte, Paris, France.

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PRIVATE Secretaryship.-Ambitious One, who seems to be doing fairly well at the present time, is desirous of becoming a private secretary, and asks what course she should take with this end in view.-We cannot enter at all fully into the question of qualifications in this column, but our correspondent will find them fully dealt with in "How to Become a Private Secretary (Fisher Unwin, price is.). No doubt her office experience would stand her in good stead, but she would need to improve her handwriting by cultivating a more regular style. There are a great many varieties of secretaryships, some of them involving duties partly clerical and partly domestic, these may be obtained through advertisements, but for superior positions influential recommendation is necessary. Regarding other questions, our correspondent should have started earlier in life.

TYPEWRITING HANDBOOK.-A. C consults us concerning a typewriting handbook.-As he possesses "Pitman's Typewriter Manual" he has a work which covers the whole ground, and is serviceable with any machine. The Remington Typewriter Manual" (Pitman, is.), is an entirely different work from the book our correspondent names; it is a thoroughly up-to-date guide to the machine mentioned.

ENTERING THe Foreign OfFICE.-M. L. S. asks us what things it is most necessary for anyone entering the Foreign Office to know, whether shorthand is useful, and whether there is any book on the subject.-All the best appointments in the Foreign Office are made after limited competition, and a nomination by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is necessary, and is difficult to obtain. For Clerk on the Establishment, French and German are compulsory, and any two of Latin, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, modern Greek and Arabic. In all except Latin a practically perfect knowledge of the spoken and written language is required. Some Clerks of the Second Division are employed, but vacancies are often filled by transfer, and for this influence is required. There are open competitions for Student Interpreters, some requiring three languages and Criminal and Mercantile Law; others six languages. If M. L. S. will specify precisely what examination he desires to take, and what influence he possesses, we will answer fully. Shorthand is practically useless for these examinations. Useful information will be found in the Civil Service Year Book" (Shepherd and St John), or Cassell's "Guide to the Civil Service,"

ASSISTANTS OF EXCISE AND CUSTOMS.-Undecided is concerned over the salary question in both services, the former £50 a year, rising £5 annually to £80, and 2s. per day, when actively employed; and the latter £70, and they are required to serve a probation of twelve months. Excise Assistants are practically always employed actively; and few, if any, receive less than £85 during their first year, besides which they usually become 2nd Class Officers within five years. Of course they and Customs Assistants (for which our correspondent could not possibly have more than one trial as he is 20 in July) are paid during their 'probation." Undecided writes shorthand (speed 120), has a knowledge of typewriting, and passed the Male Learners' Examination some years ago, but could not accept the appointment. The first two accomplishments are useless to him, for Civil Service purposes, and he has only two years in which to prepare for and pass the Excise. Ought he to try for the "Service" or sit for the Society of Arts and Chamber of Commerce? Our answer is unhesitatingly Do both. It can be done.

WRITERS IN H.M. NAVY.-W. V. asks where he can obtain copies of old papers set for Writers in H.M. Navy.-He cannot obtain these papers, as they are not published. The examination was consistently easy and somewhat rough and ready. Our correspondent can get a course of home study for this examination from Pitman's Metropolitan School.

BOY CLERKSHip and AfteRWARDS.-Shorthander intends his brother to sit for a Boy Clerkship and then for some other Civil Service examination, or for the London County Council. He inquires whether, if a youth fails to pass into something better before the age of 20, his experience will be of any use "outside." -There is no need to assume failure; there is the Customs Assistants and the Excise (limit of age for Boy Clerks 23 years, allowing eight years' work on passing the Boy Clerks' exam at 15), and the Assistant Clerks-a simpler test still. Besides these,

the Boy Clerks' Friendly Society finds employment for Boy Clerks (at 19 years) in banks, insurance offices, etc.; so there is no reason for an industrious youth to fear for the future.

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OPENING A NEW BOOK -The binding of a good many new books is hopelessly ruined by careless or violent usage. Reader will exercise a little care with his new books on first opening them, he will find that with ordinary usage well-bound books will last without showing signs of wear for many years, but this will not be the case if the back, which happens to be a little stiff on first opening, is broken by a violent wrench. The following method can be recommended: Lay the book back downward, on a table or smooth surface Press the front cover down until it touches the table, then the back cover, holding the leaves in one hand while you open a few leaves at the back, then at the front, alternately pressing them down gently until you reach the centre of the volume. This should be done two or three times. Never open a book violently nor bend back the covers It is liable not

only to break the back, but to loosen the leaves. It is well when first opening a book to see that the copy contains the complete number of pages.

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HANDWRITING.-Curley's handwriting is good, but he shou'd avoid flourished capitals and exaggerated loops.-B. T. C. might improve his handwriting by the study and practice of Pitman's Business Handwriting (price is). With practice F. T. H. might develop his hand into a good upright style suitable for commercial life. He should make his letters of regular size; Vere Foster's Upright Series, No. 9 copy book, would be very helpful. -C. H. C's. handwriting is fairly good, but might with advantage be written a trifle larger.-F. W. P. would, we consider, be well advised to have lessons from a good instructor with a view to the

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