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OBITUARY.

MR J. WALKER.

Mr James Walker, of Kensal Rise, London, a phonographer of long standing and a teacher of wide experience, passed away after a lingering illness of seven months, on 24th June. Mr Walker was born at Cheltenham in 1840, and, after serving his pupil teachership there, went to Highbury Training College. Subsequently he was head master of St Stephen's School, Paddington, for twenty years. He relinquished his post thirteen years ago in order to take up the teaching of advanced shorthand, bookkeeping, etc., in various institutions. He commenced the study of Pitman's Shorthand while in college, and was one of the successful candidates at the first examination for the teacher's diploma of the Incorporated (then the National) Phonographic Society in 1891; he was in 1893 for a time the assistant secretary of that Society, and he remained a Fellow up to the time of his death. For a considerable period he conducted the shorthand classes for London school teachers organized by Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., with considerable success. Mr Walker was a member of the National Union of Teachers from its formation, and was for sixteen years hon. secretary of the Marylebone Association. Mr Walker was widely known and honoured for his educational work, and his widow and family have been the recipients of many kind expressions of sympathy.

MRS E. B. BURNZ.

Mrs Eliza Boardman Burnz, the American phonographic author, teacher, and spelling reformer, died at Walters Park Sanitarium, at Walters Park, Penn., on 20th June. Mrs Burnz, who was eighty years of age, was born near London, and settled in the United States sixty years ago. She was a pioneer among those who advocated spelling reform in America, she having changed her name from Burns to Burnz, and named her daughter Foneta. She was associated with Channing in his emancipation crusades, and at the close of the war spent many years in the South teaching negro children. She then came to New York and opened a shorthand school there. Mrs Burnz was a co-worker with Elizabeth Cady Stanton in the work of the women to obtain the right of the suffrage. She was a member of the Society for Ethical Culture, and was also one of the founders of the New York Cremation Society, and her remains were cremated. The deceased lady is survived by her son, Mr Channing Burns, of New York, and Mrs Foneta Burnz House, of Tracy City, Tenn. Mrs Burnz was a considerable contributor to spelling reform and phonographic literature, and the list of her works occupies two pages of Dr Westby-Gibson's "Bibliography." In her phonographic works she laid no special claims to originality, but acknowledged with "pride and pleasure" her indebtedness to Isaac Pitman, the Inventor of Phonography, and the grand source of inspiration on this subject."

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MR E. MCDERMOTT.

Mr Edward McDermott, proprietor of the Railway Times, died on 29th June, at the age of 78. In the early part of his career the deceased

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In further reply to yours of the 10th inst. with reference to the work of your car, we have had the enclosed tracing made for your information, and have marked the two parts of the drawing A and B for reference. A represents the shaft as it was, and B as it is now being constructed. You will see that we have divided the axle at C, and have put a new steel piece D, which screws on the boss of the flange of the differential gear. We think you will see from this what a very complicated piece of mechanism this is, and that we are employing our best efforts to ensure the car being turned out in a satisfactory manner.

We wish to remind you, of course, that the initial trouble with your car was through the soft axle made by Messrs. Thomas & Co., and not through any fault of ours. We have asked these people to be specially careful over the axle this time, and we ourselves are thoroughly testing the component parts before assembling them, so that you will see that everything is being done to make absolutely certain that no accident will occur after the car has left our works this time.

We once more express our regret at the annoyance that you have had in this matter, and we hope that this letter will assure you that we are doing everything on our part to satisfy you.

Yours faithfully.

gentleman achieved distinction as a shorthand writer. In 1848 he was selected by Mr Delane, of the Times, and appointed by Sir George Grey, then Home Secretary, as shorthand writer under the Treason Felony Act, to attend political meetings in Ireland, and report speeches delivered there. It was on the transcripts of his shorthand notes, supplied under instructions from the law officers of the Government, that the prosecutions of Smith O'Brien and others were instituted. When the project of the Great Exhibition of 1851 was started in 1850, in the face of considerable opposition, Mr McDermott's articles in the Morning Chronicle in favour of the enterprise were extensively circulated among manufacturers and others; and Earl Granville and other members of the Royal Commission and executive committee thanked the writer personally and officially for the services which had been rendered.

THE ORIGINATor of the Press Cutting BuREAU.-Mr Henry Romeike died at his home in New York City last month. He hit upon a sure source of revenue when he conceived the idea of furnishing subscribers to a press-cutting agency with references to themselves and their doings in the public Press. He was born at Riga, Russia, in 1855, and was educated at Memel, Eastern Prussia. It was in Faris in the eighties that he commenced his bureau,

CENTRAL COMMERCIAL EVENING SCHOOL,

MANCHESTER.

COMMERCIAL EXAMINATIONS OF

THE LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE UNION OF INSTITUTES.

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The results of the examination just announced once more afford evidence of the excellence of the work done at the Central Commercial Evening School, Manchester. 1,565 papers were worked, of which 297 were awarded First-class certificates (including 40 Distinctions"), 516 Second-class certificates, and 488 passes. As will be noticed in the list of special distinctions, the shorthand results have been of an exceptional character, the success in the speed section being largely due to the excellent work done by Mr Joseph Berry, F.Inc.S.T., who is responsible for the high speeds. His students secure the first, second, third, fifth, and eighth places in order of merit of all candidates. The following is a list of the special distinctions in all subjects:

Algebra.-J. Foster, 1st in order of merit in all institutions, R. Porter 17th, R. J. Batty 20th.

Book-keeping.-283 successful out of 290 students. S. Fletcher 15th, J. Emery 19th, J. H. Bingham 26th, W. F. Atkinson 40th, C. W. Beetlestone 40th, H. Ellison 40th, A. Howarth 40th. Commercial Law.-J. H. Billinge 1st, G. E. Hall 2nd. Commercial Correspondence.-A. Wolstenholme 1st, J. Hulton 11th, J. W. Langdon 11th, H. Boardman 17th, J. H. Price 17th, J. Rowbottom 17th, F. Whittle 17th.

Citizenship.-H. Greenwood ist, A. E Clarke 2nd, H. D. Gillbanks 4th.

English.-W. R. Haslam Ist, Emma Lowe 10th.
Geography.-T. W. Hellawell 11th.

History.-A. Schofield 2nd.

Shorthand.-J. E. Lilley 1st, A. H. Gilbertson 3rd, H. Lucas 5th, C. H. Geddes 8th, A. Wolstenholme 13th, Sarina Besso (80 words) 1st, E. Scully (Adv. Th.) ist.

Typewriting.-C. O. Linfoot 11th, Evelyn Parker 12th, M. H. Bowden 16th, J. N. Cullen 22nd.

CIVIL SERVICE NOTES.

BY A CIVIL SERVANT.

In the Cornhill Magazine a pronouncement, by a late -secretary to H.M. Treasury in the House of Commons, is quoted in an article on " Prospects in the Civil Service," and it will bear repetition. It runs: "There are nineteen big State Departments. In five of these-the Treasury, Colonial, Home, Scotch and Irish Offices-the commencing salary of a junior clerk of the Higher Division is £200 a year, while in the other fourteen offices the commencing salary, varying slightly, is about £150."

In this article the writer introduces to us a thoughtful parent who soliloquizes thus:-"The open professions are hopelessly crowded; my youngster has no special aptitudes, no prospects of some snug berth in a family business, and he's too old for the Army and Navy"; and gravely informs us "it is just such a lad as this that the Open Competitions for · Class I. of the Home Civil Service is designed to attract." The age limits for Naval Cadets (14 to 15) are certainly low, but those for Army Entrance (open competitions for entrance to the Military Colleges, 17 to 19, and for University Candidates for Commissions, 17 to 23), do not allow a youth to be much too old to enter them, if he is to be within the prescribed limits for Class I. Clerkships, 22 to 24.

There is another weakness in the passage quoted. It almost suggests that one need only be attracted by the "prospects" of a Class I. clerk, and that a youth " with no special aptitudes" is the one for whom the Higher Division of the King's Service is hungering; but a glance at the Report of the Civil Service Commissioners, presented to Parliament in 1902, will quickly dispel such illusions. The Class I. list contained therein embraces twenty-seven names, and every

man is a University honoursman. The first candidate was an Oxford Double First, and took also a First Class in Classics at Edinburgh, M. A., there are two Wranglers, the 3rd and 35th, one Dublin Gold Medallist, eight Oxford 1st Class distinctions, eleven Oxford or Cambridge 2nd Class, and a few others.

On the combined list (Class I. Home Civil Service, India Civil and Eastern Cadets), the twin brothers C. N. and B. N. Cama, 7th and 6th Wranglers, stood 24th and 30th, and the complete list of 97 successful candidates contains but one name of a non-university man, and he was educated at Haileybury. From this it will be obvious that unless a youth has the command of sufficient money to enable him to enter a university, the posts which fall under the official title of Clerkships Class I. Home Civil Service may possibly attract him, when he is too old for the Navy or the Army, but, unless he has "special aptitude" in a very marked degree, the attraction will not be sufficiently strong to enable him to pass the examination prescribed by H.M. Civil Service Commissioners.

An examination for Woman and Girl Clerks has now been announced (to take place on the 1st September, probably at London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Bedford, Birmingham. Bristol, Liverpool, Aberdeen, Belfast, Cork, and possibly one or two other centres) for both these appointments, and no student who has a fair prospect of success should neglect to present herself at this, the first examination under the new regulations. The subjects are the same for both posts, the papers are usually alike; and all candidates must be unmarried or widows and at least five feet in height.

Girl Clerks, for the first two years, serve six hours per day and are paid £35 and £37 10s. per annum respectively. Then, if certified as competent, they may be promoted to the class of Woman Clerk at the salary of £55, rising by £210s. annually to £70 and then by £5 to £100, with prospects of promotion. Girl Clerks, who are not certified as competent, become Woman Sorters. All female officers of the Post Office resign their appointments on marriage and are usually granted a gratuity, and Girl Clerks must resign their appointment before competing for Woman Clerkships.

Forms of application should be obtained from the Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Burlington gardens, W., and should be promptly filled up and returned. The best papers to study, as samples of the scope of the examination and the severity of the competition, are those set to Girl Clerks in October, 1902, when, it will be remembered, only one language was essential. Any student, who has a reasonable knowledge of two languages and of algebra or shorthand, should essay the present contest.

SHORTHAND AND TYPEWRITING IN
EDINBURGH.

BY OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

The Edinburgh Merchant Company, in conjunction with the Chambers of Commerce of Edinburgh and Leith, have just issued a circular dealing with commercial education. In the opening paragraph reference is made to the report published in 1900 by a committee composed of representatives from the three bodies named, which was noticed in the Journal at the time. The circular dwells on the many signs of activity on the part of the Scotch Education Department. Their Lordships have been devoting much attention to the subject of commercial education, and their zeal and interest are shown by changes made or foreshadowed in connection with their schemes for the award of group certificates, with the object of marking in a definite manner the stage of education reached by a pupil on leaving school. The certificates referred to are (1) the merit, (2) the intermediate, (3) the commercial, and (4) the leaving.

Readers of this Journal are chiefly concerned with the third of these-the commercial certificate, and we find that the following explanation is given in regard to it: "The commercial certificate which the Department propose to institute should be specially welcomed by business men. It is intended to restrict it to pupils of not less than sixteen years of age, who, generally speaking, have satisfied the requirements for the intermediate certificate, and have subsequently studied at least one complete year in a special commercial course. this course it is proposed that the principal subject of instruction should be a modern language other than English, with, in addition, commercial arithmetic, book-keeping, shorthand, and commercial history and geography."

In

It is gratifying to note that such an influential educational authority as this committee is should recognise the need for a commercial certificate, and that the curriculum would be incomplete without shorthand. It is a matter for surprise, however, that there is no mention of typewriting. The Edinburgh Merchant Company provide education for girls as well as boys. They have two splendidly equipped colleges for the special education of young ladies. A large number of the scholars, when they leave these institutions, find their way to shorthand and typewriting academies in order to qualify as typists. It will be strange, indeed, if the subject of typewriting is not included soon, more especially as the companion subject has now secured the desired recognition. The question of the inclusion of typewriting was, it is understood, brought up for consideration, but it was decided that, as typewriting was "so simple," and could be learned in a few weeks after leaving school, it need not be included in the requirements for the commercial certificate. It appears that there is still room for the education of the educational authorities. It is a matter for satisfaction, however, that the committee is travelling in the right direction.

In view of the re-opening in September of the evening continuation classes held under the auspices of the Edinburgh School Board, arrangements are now being made with a view to increasing the efficiency of the evening continuation schools and rendering the instruction more directly practical. A scheme of classification bas been adopted under which certain courses of instruction will be provided in certain schools. These specialized courses, it is hoped, will prove a valuable aid to pupils who have entered upon an industrial or commercial pursuit, and instruction in typewriting will be given to those pupils who have attained a speed of twenty words a minute in shorthand. It is doubtful whether this rate should be designated "Speed." The much better plan would be to make the possession of a Pitman certificate the qualification. In this connection, it is interesting to note the aifferent points of view from which shorthand is regarded. Employers and educational authorities generally give "speed" the position of pre eminence; shorthand teachers and practitioners, on the other hand, insist on accuracy as the matter of first importance.

At a

For several years past the Mid-Lothian Technical Committee have been engaged in a scheme for the higher education of young men and women who have left school and who wish still further to add to their acquirements in order to improve their prospects in business life Classes in shorthand, typewriting and other subjects have been held at various centres and have met with much success. meeting of the committee held recently in Edinburgh, the Rev. J. A. Burdon, Lasswade, gave in a report on a bursary scheme which he had proposed, and which was to the effect that there should be several small bursaries for children attending schools in the county, while there would be a few of larger amounts for male scholars who might attend the Heriot Watt College, Edinburgh, or some other Edinburgh institution. For girls it was agreed to offer two bursaries of £15 each, so that successful candidates might attend a typewriting and book-keeping college, or a laundry, and cookery school.

A NEW FOUNTAIN PEN.

Although a great many makes of fountain pens with different names are on the market, yet it is a fact that, outside the recognised standard kinds, the number of pens which contain original or useful features entitling them to recommendation is almost nil. In directing attention to the fountain pen sent out by Moore's Non-Leakable Fountain Pem Co., 23 Fore street avenue, London, E.C., we may say at once that it is a superior article constructed on original lines, and that having had specimens of the pen in constant use for some time for longhand and shorthand writing, we are able to pronounce it in every respect a thoroughly useful writing instrument, and one which possesses to the fullest extent the advantage claimed for it of being non-leakable. Moore's fountain pen is constructed on a different principle to that followed in other makes. When closed and not in use, the Moore pen resembles the average fountain pen, but it has the advantage that it can be carried in the pocket in a horizontal position, or laid down in any fashion without the slightest fear of leakage of ink. When it is desired to use the pen, it is held in an upright position and the cap is unscrewed and placed on the opposite end of the barrel in the ordinary way. This discloses to view the open top of the ink reservoir, and nothing more. A slight twist of the lower portion of the tube and a gentle push, slides the nib out of the ink reservoir, in which it rests when not in use, and the fountain pen is ready for writing. When it is desired to shut up the pen, another twist of the tube and a gentle pull draws the nib back into the ink reservoir, the cap is screwed over the latter, and the Moore pen can be laid aside till it is again wanted, with the certainty that the moment the nib is once more placed in position it will be ready to begin writing with a perfectly even flow of ink, and, from the fact that the nib is projected from the ink reservoir, there is always ink at its point the moment it is made ready for writing. When putting aside the pen after use, two things must be remembered: (1) withdraw the nib into the ink reservoir; (2) screw on the cap. Those who have been in the habit of using the ordinary fountain pens are apt to forget these very simple precautions, but it is all important to attend to them when shutting up this pen. We have used Moore's fountain pen with the greatest satisfaction; the workmanship is of the best, the gold nib of superior quality, and the construction of the instrument simple but effective. Illustrated price lists are issued showing the pen in different styles from 12s. 6d. upwards.

LONDON AND THE PROVINCES.

The Editor will be greatly obliged by receiving marked copies of any local journals that contain paragraphs or comments on subjects likely to be of interest to the readers of this Journal.

The results of the shorthand examination at Pendleton Higher Grade Commercial Evening School (Mr Joseph Berry, F. Inc.S.T., and Mr Thos. Beswick, F.Inc.S.T., shorthand teachers), held in connection with the Lancashire and Cheshire Union of Institutes, have been announced, and show that 84% of the speed candidates have been successful, as under :-120 words, all passed with distinction. F. Horrobin (2nd position), G. W. Reed (11th), Geo. May (33rd). 100 words, Miss H. Seddon, C. N. Smethurst, T. Jackson, T. H. Maden, J. Crompton, A. Wedgwood, W. R. Nichols. 80 words, Miss J. Moss, Miss E. D. Nichols, J. Chappell, J. E. Stott. 60 words, Misses A. Marshall, E. Coope, M. Cowpe, H. Hainsworth, M, Sagar, M. A. Glover, F. Potter, E. Browne, L. Nuttall, B. Officer, and R. Johnson, J. W. Barnes, J. Morris, J. J. Lee, I. Parkes, W. F. Hodson, J. Gaskell, A. Tetlow, A. McGhie, J. Sharples, H. Kidd, P. Brookes. In the Advanced and Elementary Theory 48 candidates passed.

The results of the examinations conducted by the Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes at the Central Evening

School, Wellington street, Oldham (Mr J. T. Warren, F.Inc.S.T., head master), have been received. The students attending this School have obtained the following successes:Book-keeping, six 1st class, 18 2nd class, 22 passes. Shorthand Speed, one (120 words), two (100 words), six (80 words), 16 (60 words). 37 passed in Theory. Business Routine, four Ist class, nine 2nd class, two passes. Commercial Arithmetic, one 1st class, three 2nd class. Typewriting, one 1st class, seven 2nd class, nine passes. Miss Alice Lowe obtained distinction in shorthand (120 words) being 36th in order of merit and also distinction in typewriting, 6th in order of merit. Miss A. G. Pilling obtained the maximum number of marks in the 60 words per minute test, being 2nd on the list. Miss Bessie Owen and Miss M. Thorpe obtained 119 marks each out of a possible 120.

The following students of the Manchester Municipal School of Technology, Newton Heath Branch (Mr. J. T. Warren, F.Inc.S.T., teacher) have successfully passed the shorthand examination of the Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes:-120 words, Mr T. S. Barber; 100 words, Miss M. Mear; 80 words, Mr P. Gent; 60 words, Messrs W. Booth, S. Campbell, H. Lane, D. McElin, W. E. Perkins. In addition to these 13 passed the Theory examinations. The Examiners report "highly creditable work."

INCORPORATED PHONOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.

LONDON.

The annual river trip of the London District took place on Saturday, 27th June, in ideal weather. A party of nearly seventy present and past members assembled on board the Royal Thames at Molesey Lock, and enjoyed a journey of between five and six hours' duration on the upper reaches of the river. Owing to the heavy floods of the previous weeks, it was impossible to get as far as Windsor, and after travelling as far as Egham, the steamer returned to Staines, where the party landed, making the homeward journey by train. A large number of photographs were taken by members, which were exhibited at the Arcadian on the following Thursday during the intervals between the speed practice which occupied the evening, and which was well attended notwithstanding the sultry weather.

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.

BIRMINGHAM. 16 Oxford street, Stirchley.-Mr E. Latham, F.Inc.S.T., is prepared to receive pupils for private tuition in advanced shorthand. A speed class is also being held at the above address, and there are one or two vacancies. Students prepared for any examination. Full particulars on application. MIDDLESBROUGH. 23 Warwick street, Parliament road.Mr T. H. Dryden holds classes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings for Pitman's Shorthand (elementary, theory, and speed), book-keeping, French, business training, etc. All work supervised personally. Pupils must study for examinations in each subject. Full information sent on application.

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.-Aladdin is informed that Review question 7, Chap. XV. of the Instructor is a question on the first three lines of par. 156.-Magister will find that the only method of writing another

shown in the Twentieth Century "Dictionary" is with the double length outline, which is, of course, that invariably adopted in the Corresponding Style. The rule by which Luther is written is obviously par. 150, which explicitly exempts initial 1, followed by dr or thr from the preceding general rule. The reason is, of course, that in regard to many words the doubling of initial would not indicate with sufficient definiteness what consonants it was intended to add. If, for example, double length initial i had the two significations of l-tr and l-thr, how would it be possible for the phonographer to decide whether the vocalized outline represented letter or leather?-F. R. will find the explanation as to queer in the Journal of 27th June.-B., who is learning the system, inquires the reason for writing the words in, cry, etc., above the line in the early part of the Instructor, and desires to know where explanation regarding the use of this position can be found in that text-book. We may explain that on page 16 instruction is given as to the placing of grammalogues in three positions with regard to the line. The word in is introduced to the student as a grammalogue at the top of Exercise 12 (page 26); where the word occurs previously in the book it is shown in the same position but with the vowel inserted, thus familiarizing the student with the position in which he will afterwards write the logogram. With regard to cry and other words, the explanation is similar; they are shown in position in accordance with the rules given in Chap. XXVIII. of the "Instructor," and with the usage shown in the "Reporter's Assistant," designed in the latter work to prevent errors when words are not vocalized. But this is an advanced portion of the study with which the elementary student should not concern himself till he has mastered the Corresponding Style; he should however, observe the methods of writing that style shown in the text-books.

SHORTHAND STUDY.-R. E. C. has taught himself the Corresponding Style from the books, but finds that in about five per cent. of instances he does not use outlines which are so short as those in printed shorthand, or employ the same phrasing. His speed is thirty words per minute, and he inquires whether, under the circumstances, he should take up the Reporting Style.-If our correspondent's outlines do not break the rules of the system, he need not be discouraged because he does not hit on absolutely the shortest method of representing a word. The same observation applies to phraseograms. He should devote as much time as he can to careful practice, with reading and revision of notes, taking up at the same time the study of the Reporting Style, writing the progressive exercises from dictation till he can do them with accuracy as to position and the use of the contractions, as tested by the Key. He should, of course, carefully cultivate the habit of writing exactly what is dictated to him, because a strict observance of literal accuracy is a most important element in successful note-taking.

BOOK-KEEPING.-W. J. C., who is unable to avail himself of class facilities for acquiring the art of book-keeping, inquires whether he can master it unaided from our books?-Our correspondent may obtain a good practical knowledge of book-keeping, which would be useful to him in any business, by the study of Pitman's "Primer of Book-keeping" (price is.), correcting his exercises by the "Key" (price is.), and using the set of four Ideal MS. books (price 8d.) for working them; the last named are ruled, etc., like ordinary account books.

CLERK GEOLOgical Survey.-Torkey, R. F. H., and C. W. all ask questions as to the subjects, books we recommend, where to prepare and where to sit for this examination.-They should all apply to the Secretary, Civil Service Commission, London, W., for the form of application, and obtain the previous papers and marks for the examination held in April, 1895. This competition will not, in all probability, be a walk over, and we advise candidates who desire to render a good account of themselves to obtain all the assistance they can in the purely service and the special subjects at Pitman's Metropolitan School. The ordinary Civil Service requirements in handwriting and orthography, English composition and arithmetic (about Society of Arts 2nd class form) must be studied, but the result will depend upon high marks in catalogue and index-making, and geology and physical geography. No one who is ignorant of geology need sit; Mackay's Physiography is probably enough for physical geography, and the catalogue and index-making is a variety of digesting returns into summaries, where the matter to be arranged usually comes from a Geological "Label List," and a knowledge of geology is essential to accurate work. The essay subjects in 1895 were: (1) The connection between the geological strata of a district and the features of its scenery; or (2) "Man is a tool-making animal"; or (3) "Science

is organized common-sense." In the test called "Comparison of Copies with Originals" there were placed before candidates two copies of a Parliamentary paper, consisting of four foolscap pages, one printed correctly, the other containing misspellings and other inaccuracies. The latter had to be corrected, and the test was really "proof reading." One hour was allowed (time may be curtailed), and, unless great vigilance is exercised, errors will easily go unnoticed. A first-class Advanced Board of Education Certificate in Geology is probably ample knowledge for the paper set last time, and the translation from French and German presented no difficulty. The examination takes place in London.

LONDON COUnty CounciL CLERKSHIPS.-W. S. desires to enter the service of the London County Council, and asks whether "the wearing of spectacles" would be a bar to the appointment of a successful candidate.-There is a medical examination, but short sight or other trifling variations from normal sight would not, if corrected by proper glasses, probably be regarded as a disqualification.

CIVIL SERVICE VACANCIES FOR ADMITTED SOLICITORS.Judex inquires what Government appointments are open to persons who have passed the Incorporated Law Society's Final Examination.-Many offices have solicitors attached to them (e g. Post Office, London two, Edinburgh and Dublin one each, Customs two), but these posts are filled by nomination. All candidates for the appointment of Clerk of the First Division in the Estate Duty Office (age 21-27) must have passed the Final Examination of the Incorporated Law Society, United Kingdom or Ireland, or one of the similar examinations held in Scotland. The papers set and marks obtained by candidates (Estate Duty Office) in Sept, 1900, and Oct., 1902, can be obtained from Messrs Eyre and Spottiswoode, price 6d. per set. To obtain such a clerkship Judex must, of course, enter the next open competition (watch this Journal for announcement), and come out among the first four or five men. He cannot hope to do this unless he commences his preparation months before an examination is announced.

ESTATE DUTY Office CLERKSHIPS.-Lex inquires regarding these vacancies, and should see answer to Judex above. The salaries are £150, rising by £12 10s. annually to £300, with prospects of promotion. The obligatory subjects are Handwriting and Orthography; Arithmetic to Vulgar and Decimal Fractions; English Composition; and Law of Real and Personal Property, including English Law of Conveyancing. The optional, History of England and of the Constitution, and any two of Latin, French and German. In Sept., 1900, there were only 18 candidates (three failed to qualify in obligatory subjects) for nine appointments.

MALE LEARNERS (TELEGRAPH ONLY).-J. K. asks whether there is now an examination for Telegraph Learners only.-There is an examination for Learners, and for Sorter Telegraphists, and both classes of officials are liable to duty on either side at the discretion of their superior officers. J. K. will not be able to decide what work he will perform in the Post Office or any other branch of the King's service. As we explained last week, the salary for both classes is the same, the hours are identical, and there seems no reason for objecting to perform sorting, or postal, or telegraphic duties, or for suggesting that one of them is more intellectual than the other. The best is the one which we perform most conscientiously.

WORKING OF A LIMITED COMPANY.-Hematite asks us to recommend a book suitable for a clerk who wishes to understand all about shares and the inner working of a limited company.Our correspondent appears to desire a work of a very elementary description, but most of the books published on the subject presuppose a certain acquaintance with business affairs. A careful study of "Pitman's Business Man's Guide" (price 3s. 6d. net) would place our correspondent in possession of all the information he desires.

PROSPECTS OF EMPLOYMENT.-J. F. W., formerly for five years in the office of a wholesale druggist in London, but for the last eight months engaged in a small country solicitor's office, and able to write Phonography at 100 words per minute, and now 28 years of age, inquires as to his prospects of getting a living in a legal office. His handwriting is not quite of the kind generally preferred by solicitors. He should make his small letters larger and more uniform in size, and the long letters rather shorter, and should endeavour to increase his speed in shorthand. If he can acquire a knowledge of typewriting so much the better.

We see no reason why he should not get an engagement as a shorthand

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CLERKSHIP IN SOLICITOR'S OFFICE.-Sportsman, who has been for three years in a small country office, desires to improve his position, and would like to obtain a situation at Bristol. He writes shorthand at about 70 words per minute, has a slight knowledge of typewriting, and is 17 years of age.-We should recommend him to utilize as much as possible of his spare time in working up his speed to at least 100 words per minute, and then to answer all likely advertisements in the Bristol newspapers. His handwriting needs some improvement. It is capable of development into a good legal hand, but Sportsman should cultivate the habit of making his letters more uniform in size, of making the down strokes rather lighter, and the distances between the lines more equal. He should ask £1 a week as a commencing salary, but should, if necessary, considering his age, bẹ prepared to take a little less at first in order to get into a good office.

OUTDOOR EMPLOYMENT.-J. W. has been advised by his medical man to get out of doors as much as possible for the sake of his health, and consults us as to the advisability of giving up his position as shorthand clerk and typist to a firm of solicitors, with a view to taking up outdoor employment.-The range of out of door occupations for which a clerk is eligible is somewhat limited, but if a suitable opening should present itself, there can be no doubt that our correspondent would be well advised to take it. Meanwhile, he might secure a large amount of out of door exercise when not engaged in the office by taking up games which did not overtax his strength; if these are not available, country rambles with some object in view, such as the collection of natural history specimens, the inspection of interesting buildings, are easily obtainable, and furnish in an inexpensive way out of door exercise of a valuable kind.

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HANDWRITING.-P. R. (Sydney) should obtain lessons, but if this is not practicable he could develop a more flowing hand by following the instructions and exercises given in Pitman's "Business Handwriting (price is.).-J. C. writes a neat hand; a little more care in looping g and y is necessary, and capitals should be improved on a good model.-E. S's. handwriting has an ugly backward slant; she would do well to practise with Vere Foster's Upright Series, No. 12, copy book.-Anxious should cultivate a larger and bolder style, and should form his letters more carefully; Vere Foster's Bold Writing Series, No. 19, would form a useful model.-R. C's. handwriting is not sufficiently regular to secure good marks in a Civil Service examination; our correspondent should consult a tutor.

Left Handed Writer.-Enquirer asks whether there is any honour or distinction specially open to left handed writers.-We know of none; our correspondent's writing with the left hand is one of the best specimens we have seen. He would, of course, be eligible to compete in any of the open examinations for commercial certificates.

IMMEDIATE REPLIES.-Every week a number of inquirers send questions for which an immediate reply by post is desired.-We wish to point out that we do not undertake to supply information in this form, and that we can only deal with such questions as early as practicable in this column. If immediate information is required, it should be sought from a resident tutor, coach, teacher, or professional man.

MISCELLANEOUS.-Senior possesses some very good books dealing with spelling, but he would probably find it beneficial to work through Morrell's Spelling" (Cassell, price 6d.).-E. S. would find "Pitman's Primer of Book-keeping (price is.) very suitable for a beginner.-The term pince-nez, about which A. W. T. inquires, is the French for "double eye-glass," and will be found in any dictionary of that language, and in most of the larger English dictionaries, which include foreign words in common use by English writers.-We know of no better work of its class at the moderate price of £5 than "Chambers's Encyclopædia," and Ignorance would find it invaluable as a work of reference.Anonyme might make an offer to Mr W. Baker, the well-known second-hand bookseller of 14, 16 John Bright street, Birmingham. -Success is advised that the sentence "I feel sure his strict sense of honour will always guarantee his success" is correct,

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