In 1896 he finally relinquished the teaching profession and devoted himself to the spread of the Ethical movement in London. The work of organizing the societies that have now become a familiar feature of metropolitan life, of starting the numerous subsidiary organizations that soon sprang up in connection with them, and especially in connection with the Sunday schools, etc., went on concurrently with an enormous amount of literary and journalistic activity, for Mr Gould is an author as well as a speaker and organizer, and the writer of at least half-a-dozen well-known works on religious and moral subjects.

In 1899 he received an invitation to become organizer to the Leicester Secular Society, and he decided, much to the regret of his metropolitan admirers, to accept the post. Before he left, those who had come to appreciate and esteem him for his sterling sincerity and the character that he threw into everything that he undertook, asked him to meet them one evening within the historic walls of South Place Chapel, and there from a large and influential gathering, which included a number of wellknown public men and women, he received a warm and hearty "send-off "-accompanied with a handsome present spontaneously subscribed in a few weeks by the hosts of friends whom he had made during his metropolitan career.

In 1900 he was elected a member of the Leicester School Board. He was the chief mover in securing the introduction of what has come to be known as the "Leicester scheme" of moral instruction. He is known in Leicester for his readiness to assist in all good works, and by advice and example he has done much to induce others to appreciate the value of Phonography, and to make it an object of study.

THEORETICAL.-The first portion of the elementary test was, on the whole, well done; but there was a falling away in the quality of the work in the sentence portion. In the advanced test the satisfactory feature was the good average of marks gained, though there is yet room for more highly qualified candidates. It should be remembered that this test is the highest theoretical test to which the candidates can submit themselves under the auspices of the Union, and teachers should aim at their students being sufficiently well equipped in Advanced Shorthand knowledge as to meet the necessarily high character of the test. Generally speaking, throughout the examination, the shorthand characters were neatly written, but a few centres were regrettable exceptions to the rule.

SPEED.-The re-grading of the speeds is the main cause of the increase in the percentage of passes, and we are glad to say that the work at the two new speeds (100 and 80 per minute) has been very good. The number of distinctions is considerably more than in previous years; the work of the higher-placed candidates being really excellent both in the shorthand note as well as in the transcript, a fact that should be encouraging and stimulating to the teachers in their work of imparting a thoroughly sound theoretical knowledge to their students.

In Typewriting, 26 students passed With Distinction " this year, whereas only 19 gained this honour last year. The number of "First-class" passes in the recent examination, however, dropped to 42, from 54 last year; while 158 were this year awarded " Second-class," against 193 in last year's examination. This year there were 245 simple "Passes," as compared with 261 last year. The percentage of passes in the recent examination was 57'2, the figures last year being 52.8.

Messrs A. Beardwell and G. F. Sandiford are the examiners in Typewriting also, and they report upon the examina. tion as follows:

We are pleased to report an improvement in the quality of the work done this year, the increase in the percentage of passes being due to better work all round rather than improvement in any particular test. Perhaps the MS. letter showed the least improvement. Candidates should be warned that the MS. letter is one of the most important tests, and one in which accuracy of typing, punctuation, and composition are of essential importance. In too many cases punctuation seems to be an unappreciated detail, and in scores of exercises the courtesy title of the addresses was omitted. In the composition of the letter from the draft

INSTITUTES.

EXAMINATION RESULTS.

The results of the Spring Shorthand examinations of the Union have just been issued, and show an all-round improvement on previous examination results. Out of the record total of 46,100 exercises worked, 36,223 were awarded passes, a total percentage of passes of 77:58. Last year there were 41,576 exercises worked, the percentage of passes being 75 84. The failures this year numbered 9,877, against 10,044 failures last year.

The allocation of this year's passes is as follows:- Distinction, 2.1 per cent. (1902, 167 per cent.); first-class, 16 39 per cent. (1902, 16:51 per cent); second-class, 34 24 per cent. (1902, 31 22 per cent.); passes, 25.84 per cent. (1902, 26'44 per cent.).

There were this year 4,864 worked exercises on the theory of shorthand, against 4.737 similar papers last year; and 2,639 speed papers were presented this year, as compared with 2.450 speed papers last year.

"

The following are the results in greater detail :— SPEED: 120 words per minute, 96 passed, of which 37 were marked With Distinction"; 100 words per minute, 336 passed; 80 words per minute, 332 passed; 60 words per minute, 1,075 passed. The percentage of passes was 69 7, as compared with 57 3 last year.

THEORY: Elementary, 2,306 passed; advanced, 643 passed. The percentage of this year's passes was 60.6, against 67.2 last year.

The examiners (Messrs A. Beardwell and G. F. Sandiford) report on the examinations as follows:

own language--the spirit of the draft rather than the actual words should be embodied in the candidate's letter.

In Book-keeping 4,662 exercises were worked this year, as compared with 4,191 last year, with the result that this year the percentage of passes was 94, while last year it was 87, thus showing an increase in the quality of the work submitted. The following are the remarks of the examiner (Mr A. P. Popplewell, F.C.A.), upon the examination :

In the preliminary grade the candidates were well up in the knowledge requisite for a pass. In the intermediate grade, as in last year's examination, many candidates were not able to make out the Profit and Loss Account and Balance Sheet, and there was a general weakness in the answers to the questions. In the advanced grade there was a distinct improvement on last year's examination; more intelligence was shown and a better appreciation of the question, but many candidates were not familiar with the form of Deficiency Account, and there was often a looseness in answering the questions.

In Business Routine also, there was a considerable increase in the number of exercises worked, the figures being 851 this year, against 687 last year. This year's percentage of successes was 79 4, as compared with 68 7 last year. The following is the report of the examiner, Mr E. J Cross:

ELEMENTARY GRADE.-The questions set were very well answered and many excellent papers were worked. There was a striking improvement in the making out of the invoice and statement, and some good examples of these documents were shown. The candidates had the greatest trouble with the "Express delivery" envelope, and in giving a list of the most important matters dealt with in the 6d. Postal Guide. The handwriting and figuring were much ahead of that usually displayed in this examination. The business-like methods of working out discounts ought to receive more attention,

ADVANCED GRADE.-The compulsory questions, 13 and 14, were not very well answered, and this fact alone is sufficient to account for the absolute dearth of distinctions. The questions in currencies and exchanges were also but indifferently worked out. Most of the other questions were very well replied to, especially that on Marine Insurance. Future candidates would do well to look carefully through the syllabus for this examination, and in addition to taking regular lessons, study the best works on the subject.

were

In Commercial Correspondence 4.586 exercises worked, as compared with 4,779 presented last year, but the percentage of passes in the recent examination showed an improvement in the quality of the work done, the figures being, this year 712; last year, 57 6. Mr E. J. Cross, the examiner, points out in his report that fully 60 per cent. mis-spelled the word February, and that quite as many were unacquainted with the meaning of the abbreviation Decr.

There was a slight increase in the number of candidates in the examination in Commercial Law, and an increase of about 10 per cent. in the number of successes.

BOOK-KEEPING EXAMINATION PAPERS.

No. 67.

C. Booth carried on business as a forage merchant and contractor, and on the 1st June, 1903, he had the following balances standing in his ledger :

£ s. d. 147 IO

"

19 15 75 0 65 O

319 0

104

15 16

21

45

6960

OOO

94

Liabilities.

Booth has three contracts for foddering horses, the sums due upon which are included in "Sundry small accounts." The contracts may be distinguished as Nos. 8, 9, 10.

The transactions for June are detailed below; these are to be passed through the proper books to Ledger a/cs, and the books closed at the end of June. The stock on hand at that time is estimated to be worth £360.

£ s. d.

June 1.-Bought goods at market for cash (cheque) 37 10 O of W. L. F. Co., Ltd.

"

2.

89 o 47 IO

"

To Bad debts
Wages and petty
cash
Rent
Hay and straw

£144 II 8

BALANCE SHEET.

O

2

Cr.

By Int. and discount
Corn
Sundries
Capital a/c

4 2 7

62 19

14 16 62 13 11

19 16

Cr.

Mon client, M. James Walker m'a fait part2 des sérieuses avaries3 qu'ont éprouvées plusieurs balles de soie déposées dans ses magasins. Ces avaries ont été causées par le débordement d'un réservoir situé au premier étage. Il ressort des renseignements? qui m'ont été fournis que le débordement est dû uniquement à l'état défectueux de la fermeture9 automatique, circonstance1o qui vous11 a été signalée à maintes12 reprises12. Une grande partie des marchandises qui se13 trouvaient dans les magasins de mon client ont été saturées d'eau, et de ce fait complétement avariées. Monsieur James Walker vous considère comme responsable des pertes que ces avaries pourront lui occasionner. Les marchandises avariées doivent être promptement enlevées; vous voudrez bien, en conséquence, déléguer 16 une personne pour les inspecter, de façon à ce que vous sachiez à qoi vous en tenir1? sur l'état dans lequel elles se trouvent. Dans le cas où vous seriez disposé à les acheter à leur prix de vente avant qu'elles fussent avariées, mon client consent volontiers à régler1 avec vous dans19 ces conditions; sinon20, il les écoulera" au plus haut prix qu'il lui sera possible d'en tirer et vous poursuivra pour la différence.

Dans l'espoir, Monsieur, que vous voudrez bien me faire connaitre promptement la solution que vous entendez24 donner à l'affaire, recevez mes salutations empressées. W. J. STIFF. JAMES LOWE, Esq.

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I damaged 2..2 has consulted; 3 damages; 4..4 Observe the inverted construction" of this phrase; 5 overflowing; 6 results; 7 information, instructions; 8 due; 9..9 automatic closing apparatus, ball tap; 10 a circumstance; II to you; 12..12 many notices; 13..13 found themselves, were; 14..14 by this fact, in consequence; 15 removed; 16 delegate, appoint; 17..17 a very idiomatic phrase meaning "in order that you may know what to think of it and make up your mind what to do "; 18 settle; 19 on; 20 if not; 21 will let them go; 22..22 to get for them; 23..23 let me know; 24 intend.

Monsieur,

187 Wood Street, E. C.,

Le 27 Septembre 1887. J'ai dûment reçu votre lettre en date de ce jour, concernant les avaries éprouvées par les marchandises de votre client, lesquelles avaries auraient été causées par un débordement de l'eau d'un réservoir. Je décline absolument toute responsabilité dans cette affaire. Je nie3 formellement toute défectuosité ou tout dérangement de l'appareil1. La cause réelle de l'accident n'est pas due à un débordement mais à la négligence d'un des employés de votre client, qui après avoir tiré de l'eau du réservoir, au moment de la fermeture des magasins a' oublié de fermer le robinets. Dans ces circonstances, je ne puis naturellement accepter la proposition que vous me faites d'acheter les marchandises avariées. Dans9 le cas où vous recevriez de nouvelles instructions au sujet de cette affaire, veuillez vous adresser à10 l'avenir10 à mes avoués MM. Smith et Ashton, Cannon Street.

Agréez, Monsieur, mes salutations empressées, JAMES LOWE. W. J. STIFF, Esq.

I concerning, with reference to; 2 should have, have (as s alleged); 3 deny; 4 apparatus; 5 having; 6 closing; 7..7 has forgotten to shut, forgot to turn off; 8 tap; 9 in the event of your receiving; 10..10 in future.

FOREIGN COMMERCIAL EXERCISES.

GERMAN.

92. HANDEL.

Bei dem grossen Interesse aber, welches die Frage an sich erregen muss, ist es wohl selbstverständlich, dass dieselte auch im Schosse der Bankleitung bereits freilich vorläufig1 nur ganz akademisch erörtert worden ist. Indes" mag schon bei dieser akademischen Erörterung erkannt worden sein, die Durchführung eines solchen Geschäftes sei bloss in der Form möglich, dass die Bank von England kurze Wechsel auf London an die österreichisch-ungarische Bank giriert und diese den entsprechenden Geldbetrag in effektivem Gold an die Bank von England abführt 10.

Da die österreichisch-ungarische Bank berechtigt" ist, Geldwechsel bis zur Höhe von 30 Millionen fl. in ihren Metallschatz einzurechnen und gegenwärtig nur rund 20 Millionen fl. Devisen 13 besitzt, wäre für eine etwaige Hilfsaktion zu gunsten der Bank von England immerhin11 ein Betrag von 10 Millionen fl. Gold verfügbar15. 10 Millionen fl. Gold könnten also auf diesem Wege16 der Bank von England zur Verfügung gestellt werden, ohne dass der heimische Geldmarkt auch nur die geringste Schwächung erführe18. Es wäre noch zu bemerken, dass die österreichisch-ungarische Bank in ihrem Devisen-Portefeuille fast19 ausschlieslich19 Wechsel auf London besitzt. Das Devisen-Portefeuille der heimischen Notenbank aber würde dadurch gewiss nicht weniger gesichert, wenn es auch Wechsel mit dem Giro der Bank von England versehen20, in sich schlösse1. Wass endlich die Haltung der Regierungen Oesterreich-Ungarns in dieser Frage anbelangt, so kämen25 für dieselben wohl nur etwaige politische Bedenken in Betracht26, welche indes?? im vorliegenden28 Falle kaum vorhanden 29 sein können.Berliner Börsenkurier.

I excite; 2 innermost recess, secret chamber, bank parlour; 3 bank direction; 4 provisionally; 5 nevertheless; 6 transaction; 7 to; 8 should endorse; 9 corresponding; 10 should convey; 11 entitled; 12 height, extent, amount; 13 bills; 14 constantly; 15 available; 16 way, manner; 17 disposal; 18 should experience; 19, 19 almost exclusively; 20 provided; 21 should enclose, should contain; 22 as for what; 23 opinion, attitude; 24 concerns; 25 would come; 26 consideration; 27 however; 28 lying before us; 29 at hand, here, in this case.

SUMMER SCHOOL FOR SHORTHAND TEACHERS.

"

The "Summer School for Shorthand Teachers appears to have become a recognised American institution. This year a session will be held at Ann Arbor, Michigan, commencing on 20th July, when courses will be conducted by well-known teachers and professors of the University of Michigan. The following are the titles of the courses: "How Best to Develop Speed in Writing Shorthand," "Study of Scientific Methods of Presenting the Subject of Shorthand," Bridging the Gap Between Amanuensis and Court Reporting,' Shorthand with a View to Reporting," "Methods of Acquiring Accuracy and Speed in Translating Shorthand,' The Business and Office Detail Sides of the Amanuensis' Work," ""Business Forms and Usages," Organi. zation and Management of Classes," "Civil Government: How Much the Amanuensis Should Know About It and How to Teach It," "English: What to Teach the Shorthand Student and How to Teach It," "Ethics for the Amanuensis and Teacher,' "How to Induce the Shorthand Student to Put Forth His Best Efforts," "Methods of Teaching Touch Typewriting," "General Course in Science and Art of Teaching," "Commercial Geography," Business Etiquette for the Amanuensis," How to Teach Business and Örnamental Penmanship," "Course of Six Lectures upon General Educational Topics."

"

* The first portion of this article appeared on 20th June,

LITERARY NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

With the arrival of the popular holiday season of the year, guides to the various seaside and inland resorts of the United Kingdom have, according to custom, made their appearance in greater variety and completeness than ever. The chief merits of the guide book are, of course, its usefulness, its accuracy, and its compactness as a vade mecum for the tourist. It is intended to be read in association with the scenes visited, rather than to form an addition of any special merit to the literature dealing with the history, geography, or topography of our country. There are, of course, important exceptions, but the directory element necessarily forms a leading ingredient in the guide. It may be noted that there are, at least, two distinct classes of guides for the requirements of the particular tour or holiday which is taken. are speaking, of course, of the literature of this kind published at popular prices. The series of cheap guides to particular counties, once in considerable vogue, and of permanent interest to those who liked a hardy hand-book to the geography of a county and its objects of interest, from the pen of a wellknown authority, has given place to newer modes.

We

Nowadays if a holiday tour is undertaken over a particular railway, the tourist provides himself with one of Cassell's "Official Guides" to the great railways of the country, which fully describes every district served by the particular line, from the London terminus to the remotest point on the system. Profusely illustrated, and with coloured panoramic and other maps, these works are literally packed with information of interest to every class of traveller, whether journeying for business or pleasure. For those who visit a particular town or district one of Ward, Lock and Co.'s remarkable series of Illustrated Guide Books" is practically indispensable. The series includes guides to every holiday centre in the kingdom, with a good large scale map of the district, and high class illustrations of objects of interest. The descriptive matter always strikes the reader as being well up-to-date, while the associations of particular spots with great men and movements, and the references in our national literature to particular places are noted with remarkable completeness. If due use is made of either of the series of works we have mentioned, the holiday maker of active body and mind can hardly fail to see all that is worth seeing in any particular locality.

Cassell's Encyclopedic Dictionary," in its revised and enlarged serial form, published in weekly parts at the astonishingly small price of 6d. net, has reached us as far as Part 34. The parts now before us splendidly maintain the high reputation of the work as a thoroughly comprehensive and scholarly exposition of the meaning of the words in the language. In the body of the work the Dictionary is brought down to the word francoa, and in the supplementary volume to preomosterna. In pages 500 and 501 of the Supplementary Volume all the newer terms in relation to phonetic science are included, for example, phonate, phonatory, phonautogram, phone, phonetician, phoneticism, phoneticist, phoneticize and phonograph. The definition of the word phone, as a primary sound, is illustrated by a quotation from this Journal. The coloured plates form, as usual, a striking feature in the work; two deal with insect species, one shows a vigorously drawn group of Felidæ, and one gives figures of some characteristic Fonts.

Its object is to present, by the pen of recognised and authoritative experts, the reasons and arguments for and against the institution in Great Britain of a scheme of labour relief which has been widely discussed in these islands, and of which experiment has already been tried in some of our Colonial possessions, and in some foreign countries. Mr Rogers, who is the secretary of the National Committee of Organized Labour, deals with the "pro" side of the question, and Mr Millar, who acts in a similar capacity to the Liberty and Property Defence League, is responsible for the "con side.

In John Murray the name of three generations of English publishers will for ever remain associated with the palmiest days of English literature in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth centuries. Within the past century, the Echo observes, no name has been more frequent on the title pages of first-rate books than John Murray, and the fact that the sixtieth anniversary of the succession of the third and present John Murray has just occurred, recalls some interesting facts in connection with the founding of the famous house. John MacMurray--he dropped the Mac in middle-age because Scotsmen were not popular in London at the time was not more than twenty three years old a century and-a-half ago, when growing tired of life as a lieutenant in the Marines, he purchased for £400 the stock and goodwill of Paul Sandby, bookseller, of 32 Fleet street. Murray II. was still a minor when his father died, but it was he who laid the basis of the fortunes of the house in the publication of the famous Quarterly Review, and brought around him such a galaxy of genius as no publisher before or since has had at his service -Scott, Byron, Disraeli, Canning, Madame de Stael, Crabbe, Southey, Irving, and a dozen others.

A circular is being issued stating that it is contemplated to produce under the title of "The International Encyclopædia of Journalism," a work which shall be at once a history of journalism in all its phases and a handbook of practice in every department. While written in English, the work will describe the origin and evolution of journalism in all countries. The Encyclopædia, which will be provided with a full index, is to be published at a popular price, probably in two handy volumes on good thin paper. The circular, which is signed by Mr William Hill (Westminster Gazette), Mr Alfred Harmsworth (Daily Mail), and Mr Maurice Ernst (Neues Wiener Tagblatt), appeals for co-operation from all in a position to assist, either by interest or knowledge in any branch of newspaper practice, or through the possession of special sources of information in any particular period of newspaper history. Such communications should be addressed to the Secretary, 'Encyclopædia of Journalism," Granville house, Arundel street, Strand, London, W.C., and are cordially invited from all quarters of the globe.

In the Magazine of Art Mr Spielmann continues the consideration of "Art Forgeries and Counterfeits." He points out that Siena is the head quarters of gesso duro, or plaster, counterfeits, but as a rule the trade is carried on there without any definite idea of fraud. The imitations are often admirably executed, but they are usually sold as imitations. But what of the people who buy these imitations, take them home, and exhibit them as genuine? That is where the real difficulty comes in. No doubt much of the trouble nowadays over the genuineness of art treasures springs directly from the foolish vanity of people who had not the courage to call things by their right names.

Lieutenant Shackleton's narrative, "Furthest South with the Discovery," has been acquired for immediate publication by the Illustrated London News. The pictures which Lieutenant Shackleton has brought home are of considerable interest, and include a photograph of the most southerly point ever attained by man, and many typical scenes of the explorer's hazardous life in the Antarctic regions,

dex

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The queen said that if Eric joined the party, Furibond might easily teach him the result of making himself loved by all!

So Furibond went hunting, and as soon as Eric heard the sounds of the horns and dogs in the woods about the castle in which he was living, he mounted his horse and went out to learn what was going on. He was a good deal astonished to see the prince, who at the same time made signs to certain persons who were with him to make sure of their victim, while he begged Eric to follow him.

But they had hardly met when a lion sprang from a thicket close by, and threw Furibond to the ground. All his people at once ran away for their lives, and Eric alone was left to fight the furious animal. He attacked it with great spirit, and by his skill and valour killed the lion and saved the life of his bitterest foe. Furibond had fainted from fear. When he recovered, Eric kindly offered him his horse, but the wicked prince only took it so that he might go back to his men and tell them to kill the man who had saved his life. So they surrounded him, but he fought like a

?"

man in despair. In a short time Furibond made his way to the spot, when he was amazed to find all the ruffians stretched dead on the ground. Eric asked if it was the wish of the prince that he should be put to death, on which Furibond told him in reply that he was a scoundrel, and that if ever he came into his presence again he would most certainly kill him.

Eric went home in a very sad mood, and at last made up his mind that he would travel. But ere he left the castle he thought of the adder, and took some milk and fruit to it. He was much astonished to find on opening the door that the adder was gone, and in its place stood a beautiful lady, dressed like one of high rank, and wearing many gems. "Young prince," said the lady, "do not look for the adder you left here, for you see me in its place to repay you for your kindness. I am the fairy Gentle. Those of my race live for a century without growing old. We then become adders for a week, and if in that time we are killed our life is at an end, but if not, we resume our proper form with all our powers after that time. Now, tell me, Eric, in what way I can help you?"

(To be continued.)