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PITMAN'S SHORTHAND CERTIFICATES.

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The following Certificates are issued :THIRD CLASS OR Elementary Certificate, for thorough knowledge of the "Phonographic Teacher"; "Shorthand Primer, Book I."; or 20th Cent. "Manual" or "Instructor," as far as Chap. xvii. Fee 6d. Every student after having worked through the "Teacher" is recommended to test his knowledge by applying for this Certificate. SECOND CLASS OR THEORY CERTIFICATE, for a thorough knowledge of the 20th Cent. "Manual"; or Instructor," Chaps. i-xxvi. ; or "Shorthand Primer, Book II." Fee 25. FIRST CLASS OR SPEED CERTIFICATE. Speed Certificates are granted for 60 words per minute and upwards. Fee is. 6d. FULL CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY.-When a Second Class Certificate and a First Class Certificate for 80 words have been obtained, a Full Certificate is issued, certifying that the holder has a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of Phonography. Fee Is.

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

NOTICES.

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

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

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

Every communication addressed to the Editor of this Journal must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer. Exercises Corrected Gratis (enclose stamped and addressed envelope)by Nunn T. Louis, c/o R. Lawson, esq., 273 Dewsbury rd., Leeds

Correspondence, etc. id. per line of ten words.

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Pictorial post card correspondence desired in French and German from all parts of the world. L. Buss, 76 Archway rd., Highgate, London. Pictorial post card correspondence desired from Ireland and Scotland, in longhand or shorthand. Prompt replies to all. L. Buss, 76 Archway rd., Highgate, London.

Pictorial post cards desired, all parts of the world except United Kingdom. Phonography preferred. C. B. Dyer, Town Range (s), Gibraltar. Young lady desires Italian lessons in exchange for English or shorthand lessons, in London. D. Sharman, St Aubyns, Sidcup.

An accomplished young lady, aged 21, desires correspondents for mutual improvement of either sex, in any style of Phonography. All letters answered. Address, Miss Nellie Gregory, Box 62, Marydell, Kentucky,

U.S.A.

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

Associations. Id. per line of ten words.

Phonetic Shorthand Writers' Association (London District I.P.S.). The Arcadian Restaurant, 8 Queen st., Cheapside.-The principal Shorthand Association in the kingdom. Meetings held every Thursday evening from 7 to 10. Regular speed practice conducted at various rates by experienced phonographers. Lectures by well-known shorthand writers; discussions, etc. Speed examinations held periodically. Centre for Society of Arts shorthand examination and for Pitman's medal competitions. (Members sit at these examinations and at the I.P.S. Teacher's Exam. at reduced fees.) Shorthand library and other advantages. Fees, including speed practice, 10s 6d per annum or 38 per quarter. All phonographers (ladies or gentlemen) are eligible for membership. Prospectus, with full particulars, on application to Secretary, H. J. Cork, 2 Reedholm road, Stoke Newington, London, N. [4] Wanted, correspondence with phonographers as to forming S.W.A. in Southend. Apply Fipsisst, 81 Rendlesham rd., Clapton, London, N.E.

Evercirculators and Libraries. id. per line of ten words.

An evercirculator is a manuscript phonographic magazine, consisting of articles written by the individual members, one member acting as conductor. The book passes round, and each round members contribute an article and remarks, or take part in the discussion. A leaflet containing further particulars forwarded from the Phonetic Institute, Bath, on receipt of id stamp. [x]

Evercirculator paper in three varieties, of superior quality, five quires Is 6d; headings and title-pages, 3d per doz.; covers, cloth is, leather is 6d. Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd. [x] Royal Evercirculator. Corresponding and Easy Reporting Styles. Members wanted to complete list. Particulars, stamp. H. Dawson, 4 Nunroyd, Heckmondwike. (5)

Members wanted for the Gaelic Evercirculator, just commencing. Particulars, stamp. Charles Bannon, Monaincha, Roscrea, co. Tipperary. [5] The Rambler Evercirculating Library. Circulates all shorthand magazines. Particulars from Herald Shorthand School, 20 Herald Chambers, Martineau st., Birmingham,

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The best Library is the Telegraph, established ten years, circulating all the magazines, including Australian magazine; quarterly subscription, Is 3d; always vacancies, particulars stamp. Conductor, J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London. [9]

The 20th Century Commercial Library, over 160 books available for the use of members. Shorthand, typewriting, French, German, Spanish, and commercial books, together with copies of all English and foreign shorthand magazines. Subscription one penny per week. Splendid opportunity of studying large selections of works at a small cost. Full particulars for stamp. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, Š.E. [9] Second-hand Books, Shorthand or Phonetic. for Sale, or Exchange, or Wanted, id. per line of ten words; Miscellaneous Books, 3d. per line. For sale, last edition Cassell's Popular Educator, in parts, excellent condition. Cost 16s. sacrifice 8s. Stanley Read, Whittlesea, Peterborough. Clearance. Reporter, is; Reporting Exercises, 3d; Manual, rod; Phrase Book, 6d; 20 Shorthand Weeklies, 6d; 7s 6d pen, 3s 11d; Pilgrim's Progress, gd, postage extra; surplus evercirculator paper, 5 quires, 9d. Halmshaw, North st., Heckmondwike.

For sale, Reporters' Journal, vols. 17 to 27, bound, and vol. 28 unbound; Phonographer, first 8 vols. bound, and vol. 9 unbound; Leaves from T. A. Reed's Note-Book, 2 vols.; Warren Hastings; Around the World in Eighty Days; Haunted Man; Sign of Four; Reed's Two Trips to India; Bible; all Easy Reporting Style. Also, Pitman's Typewriter Manual Reed's Shorthand Writer; Tolmie's Book-keeping. Every book in excellent condition. What offers? Silence a negative. R. W. Bainbridge, 13 Larkhall sq., Stockton-on-Tees. [5]

Wanted, cheap. The Shorthand Writer, by T. A. Reed. W. S. B., 14 St Mark's rd., Maidenhead.

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What offers? Cassell's New Popular Educator (bound), first three vols. new. A. Rothera, Council Offices, Featherstone, Yorks.

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Swan (10s 6d), new nib, medium point, no reasonable offer refused, and 50 Phonetic Journals, 1902. B., 58 Princess rd., Birmingham. Wanted, Cabinet Lawyer and Reade's Literary Success. Mr Lightoller, 14 Hunter st., Brunswick sq., London, W.C.

Phonographer who has recently lost the use of his legs, and finding time drag after an active life, would be very thankful to any lady or gentleman for reading matter, shorthand or ordinary print. Ling, 43a Connaught st., London, W.

What offers?

New Testament, 23 parts, unbound, perfectly clean. J. E. Moore, 59 Upper Albert rd., Heeley, Sheffield.

For sale, Pitman's Manual with Key, Is; Pitman's Reporter with Key, Is 6d; Shorthand Speed Tests, 2d; High Speed in Shorthand, 4d; Phonetic Journal, vols. 60 and 61, 2s each vol.; Shorthand Weekly vols. 20, 21, and 22, Is 4d each vol.; or what offers for any of above? Vincent Smith, Fern Bank, Dirley, nr. Stockport.

For sale, Shorthand Weekly, vol. 2, bound; vols. 19, 21, 22, unbound; Phonetic Journal, 1902; perfect condition. What offers? P. H. Arrowsmith, Lower Morley st., Tunstall, Staffs. [4]

Pelican fountain pen, best gold nib, and shut-off ink valve, nearly new, IOS 6d, sacrifice 6s 9d; also seventh edition Phonographic Dictionary, splendidly bound, 2s 3d. Harold Benjafield, Wincanton.

For sale, P.S.W., vols. 17, 18, 19, and 21, unbound, Is 4d each, post-free; also number of odd copies Shorthand Weekly. Albert Russell,* 110 Taybridge rd., Clapham Common, London, S.W.

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

Books! Books! Books! All in good condition, all post-free. Book Common Prayer, cloth, is; bound morocco, gilt edges, 4s 6d; Phonographic Quarterly Review, vols. 1 and 2, 25 6d each; complete set, 4s 6d; Shorthand Magazine, by Butterworth, bound vols. Is 6d each; Pilgrim's Progress, 7d; Proverbs, 5d; Little Things of Nature, 6d; Phonographic Lecturer, 4s 6d per vol.; Phonographic Magazine, McEwan's, vol. 2, 5s; Verbatim Reporting, Oliver McEwan, is Id; Tom Brown's School Days, Is; handsomely bound in red cloth, is 9d; Shorthand Punch, set of three vols., 4s 6d the set; Press Career, is 6d; Pitman's Reporters' Reading book, with longhand Key, marked for speed practice, Is; in cloth, Is 6d; Reed's Reporter's Guide, Is 2d; Reed's Reporter's Vade Mecum, is 3d; Phonography adapted to French, paper, 9d; in cloth, is; Book Psalms, 6d; Pitman's Spanish Weekly, uncut, in weekly parts, 5s; also number of bound and unbound vols. of the following: Australian, Scottish Phonographer; Reporters' Magazine; Reporters' Journal; Shorthand Weekly Shorthand Writer; Phono Typist; American World; Stenographer, and many others. Apply for full list with stamp; large number of each in stock. These books sent abroad to any part for the prices named, plus 3d extra for foreign postage. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. [70] Educational Books, half price. List free. Holland, Holland House, Birmingham. [6]

Encyclopædic Dictionary, 7 vols., 1901 (£2 5s), 19s 6d. Holland House, Birmingham.

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

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MEDICAL PHONOGRAPHY.

The recent issue by the Society of Medical Phonographers of a third edition of the little work, entitled "Phonographic Outlines of Medical Terms," serves to remind us of the remarkable manner in which Phonography has been taken up by the medical profession. When a few years ago Sir William Gowers, whose own long and extensive use of shorthand had convinced him of its great value to the practitioner, set himself the task of endeavouring to induce the General Medical Council to recognise that accomplishment as an extra mark-bearing subject for the preliminary examination, he became aware for the first time that several able members of his own profession had been, like himself, using Phonography for professional purposes, though for a period less lengthy. With their co-operation and that of others whose interest was attracted as soon as the project became known, he was able to bring about the formation of the Society. It was an organization of a kind altogether different from any that had hitherto existed among phonographers; it was to cater for a special class of phonographers, a class of men who used or would use Phonography in a special way. And so the Society has developed after a fashion of its own. The attainment of high speed is not a requirement of its members: skill in making facile, legible notes, and in writing and reading medical phraseology with absolute accuracy are the chief essentials aimed at. Therefore it has come about that the most important part of the Society's work is represented by its various publications. Its regular monthly "organ,"

written in Phonography, contains original contributions by eminent members of the profession on important professional topics. Several separate treatises have also been issued, and by way of encouraging the employment of Phonography in its most advanced form in the daily work of the practitioner, the small volume mentioned at the beginning of this article was prepared. How that work has been appreciated is shown by the fact that it has already reached a third edition.

The book itself is worth the attention of phonographers outside the medical profession. It illustrates very strikingly the adaptability of Phonography to special purposes. Looking through its pages one cannot fail to notice how closely the principles, rules, and devices of the system have been adhered to in the preparation of the long list of outlines, contractions, and intersections given for medical terms and phrases. The task of compiling it cannot have been an easy one, and it would have been still more difficult had it been undertaken by anyone not already a thorough master of both the theory and the practice of the system. There were special circumstances to be faced. The vocabulary of the profession is vast; it is highly technical; and it has a character of its own. The need for perfect accuracy in its representation is absolute. Mistakes in commercial shorthand may have serious results, but the consequences of error may generally be counteracted, and, in any case, they are not fatal. But mistakes in medical shorthand may involve danger to human life. An outline intended for pulse must not be misread for pills. There must be no uncertainty as to whether pillows, pulleys or poles (of a battery) are meant. And when we come to words and phrases calling for the use of intersections, the problem is more complicated. That it has been attacked with skill and ingenuity, and with knowledge also, will be evident from a merely cursory perusal of the book. Together with the other valuable publications of the Society-publications calculated to increase professional knowledge and to promote professional efficiency-" Phonographic Outlines of Medical Terms" ought to be the means of spreading still more widely than hitherto in the ranks of medical students and practitioners a determination to master the mysteries of Phonography and to utilize that art to facilitate and improve the daily work of professional life.

Phonography has proved the most popular of the evening subjects at the Dover Municipal School of Science, Art and Technology, the classes being attended by nearly double the number of students in the next most popular subject.

Mr H. J. Lake, of Banbury, Oxon., has had an experience which forms an interesting record in shorthand instruction. He has taught classes in Pitman's Shorthand at the British Schools (near the Wesleyan Day Schools), Banbury, twice a week all the year round, and without missing a single lesson through illness, for eleven years past.

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The January number of the Phonographic Record contains besides certain purely medical articles, a good deal of light reading. It reproduces from the Natal Witness an article on Native Habits, Customs and Superstitions in South Africa. Dr Dabbs, in a short notice of a recent book on Jane Austen, gives some interesting facts of her literary life. There is an obituary notice of Dr J. H. Gladstone, the veteran phonographer and ardent spelling reformer, by Sir W. R. Gowers. The results are announced of the election of officers and councillors for 1903, the new President being Dr Ferrier, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and one of the most distinguished of living physicians.

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Jahrbuch der Schule Gabelsbergers auf das Jahr 1903," issued from the Stenographic Institute at Dresden, we have a work extending to 215 pages, devoted to information and statistics relative to the practice and study of the Gabelsberger system in Germany, Austria, and other parts of Europe. The work is a well established annual. The "Almanach Sténographique de 1903," is the second issue of the excellent annual published in connection with the Duployé system, and issued from the Institut Sténographique at Paris under the editorship of M. Albert Navarre. The contents are of a useful and interesting character, and a portion is printed in shorthand.

After an extended hearing at the Pietermaritzburg City Police Court, Natal, Richard E. Hyman has been committed for trial on a charge of embezzling the funds of the South African District of the Incorporated Phonographic Society, of which he was till lately hon. secretary and treasurer. Evidence was given by Mr R. Ababrelton, a member of the executive, showing that witness had received certain accounts which had not been paid, but should have been settled by the late secretary, and evidence was also given by other officials. Counsel for the accused contended that the case was one for civil proceedings only, as it was for the recovery of moneys held by a gentleman who had interests in a society, and had assisted in an honorary capacity.

Pitman's Elementary Certificate has recently been gained by Mr F. J. Trafford, a pupil of Mr A. W. James, of Parkend, Gloucestershire, after only seven weekly lessons of one hour

each.

Mr W. H. Pettitt, the principal of the County Typewriting and Shorthand offices, Dover, was married on the 3rd Jan. at Upper Clapton, London, to Miss Skinner, daughter of the late Mr Skinner, Supervisor of Inland Revenue at Dover. Miss Skinner is an accomplished phonographer and typist. Mr Pettitt has taken enlarged premises for his offices at 28 Castle street, Dover.

The Primate Designate has, during the whole of his episcopal career, had a phonographer as his private secretary, in the person of Mr Arthur Sheppard, who has been engaged in the capacity just named successively at Rochester and Winchester. It will be remembered that Mr Sheppard was the author of a series of articles on "The Qualifications and Work of a Private Secretary," which appeared in last year's Journal.

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Under the teaching scheme of the London Chamber of Commerce, a course of lectures on "Lloyd's and Marine Insurance was commenced on Monday last by Mr Frederick Templeman (of the Alliance Marine and General Assurance Co., Ltd, and Secretary of the Association of Average Adjusters) at the London Commercial Sale Rooms, 30 to 34 Mincing lane, London, E.C. The subject of the first lecture 'The Contract and the Implied Warranties," and the topics dealt with in the succeeding lectures are as under: Monday next, 26th Jan.-" An Examination and Explanation of the Phraseology of the Policy." 2nd Feb.-"Causa Proxima-Actual and Constructive Total Loss-Particular Average and its application-The Memorandum." 9th Feb."General Average-Salvage." 16th Feb.-" SubrogationExpress Warranties-Sundry clauses in general use." lectures have been specially arranged to meet the requirements of clerks in marine insurance companies, shipowners and brokers. They begin at 6.30 p.m., and the fee for the course is 5s.

TYPEWRITING NOTES.

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We understand that the Fay-Sho typewriter has moved its offices to King William street.

At the marriage of the Secretary for War (the Right Hon. William St John Brodrick) a typewriter was among the wedding presents.

Nowadays it seems quite the fashion when a celebrity is photographed for him to have his typewriter in full evidence. The picture of Mr Albert Chevalier, the famous comedian, which appeared in a recent issue of the Sketch, depicts him sitting in his study with his Blick typewriter close at hand.

The Salter Typewriter Syndicate (1902), Limited, has been registered with a capital of £7,000, in 10s. shares, to acquire the undertaking of the Salter Typewriter Syndicate, Ltd. (in liquidation), and to carry on business as dealers in typewriting machines, parts, and accessories thereof; as agents, etc. There is no initial public issue.

In the Sunday Chronicle of Manchester there is a very interesting account of a visit to a Blind Asylum. One of the most marvellous signs of the progress of civilization is surely the way in which those who are deprived of sight are educated and fitted to take a practical place in the world. There seem to be hardly any vocations for which blind people cannot fit themselves. Quite a number of blind people have learned to use the typewriter, and to take advantage of the openings which are continually cropping up for competent typists.

A book recently published, entitled, "Letters on Life" (Hodder and Stoughton), contains much advice of a practical kind. The writer, who veils his identity under the nom de plume of Claudius Clear, states that the use of typewriting is practically a test of an up-to-date firm. If a man comes down to his business and laboriously writes his letters, he can practically do nothing else. He can save one-half the time by dictating them to an expert typist, and then the other half of his time would be given to other work, and things would move forward. Any one man of great talent and unwearied diligence and devotion will make a mighty difference to a business, and will alter its outlook. The moral of this seems to be that in order to give the best men more room and space in which to develop and extend their energies, it is absolutely essential that they should not be kept to writing letters all day. It is here that the typist comes in, and a typist who knows his business and takes the trouble to study the true interests of his employer, will find that in time he will become one of the indispensable men referred to above.

The recent discussion relative to the durability of typewritten matter has led the Royal Bar-Lock Typewriter Co., Ltd., 198 Upper Thames street, London, E.C., to undertake exhaustive tests as to the durability of the typewriter ink manufactured by them for the Bar-Lock. The process adopted was to type on a sheet of paper a specimen of writing with (1) the Sterling Indelible ribbon; (2) the Sterling Black Copy Blue ribbon; (3) the Sterling Black Copy Purple ribbon; and (4) the Sterling Black Record ribbon of the Bar-Lock Co. Interspersed with the typewriting were specimens of handwriting, for which three writing inks by leading makers were employed. The official test of the United States Patent Office was then applied, in the shape of La Baraque's well-known solution, followed by a 10% solution of nitric acid and a 10% solution of oxalic acid. specimen before us we find that the effect of the application of these chemicals to the paper was to entirely obliterate the handwriting, while the specimens of typewriting are entirely unaffected by the acids. No more conclusive demonstration could possibly be furnished of the absolute permanence of typewriting executed with the "Sterling" ribbons, and in the interests of typewriting generally the result of this important experiment deserves the widest possible publicity.

AN INTERESTING EXHIBITION.

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The conference of educationists in the North of England, which was held in Manchester on 2nd and 3rd January, was a great success. There was an attendance of over 3,000 ladies and gentlemen interested in educational questions, and the papers read at the various meetings evoked very interesting discussions.

Most of the meetings were held in the Manchester Municipal School of Technology, where there was a splendid collection of exhibits of school apparatus, pupils' work and note-books, etc. Included in this exhibition was a remarkably interesting group of worked examination exercises in shorthand and typewriting, arranged and shown by Messrs A. Beardwell and G. F. Sandiford, with the permission of the Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes and the National Union of Teachers. The exhibit included papers in all grades of both subjects, ranging in shorthand from elementary tests in theory to a speed test of 160 words a minute. Almost every exercise shown was a prize paper, and several of them were adjudged worthy of being recommended for the silver and bronze medals awarded by the authorities under whose examinations the papers were worked. The exhibit was complete in every particular; that is to say, it included the tests set, the notes of the candidates, their transcripts, and the latter marked and commented upon by the examiner. Among the shorthand papers shown were included the exercises worked by two candidates from Pitman's Metro

politan School, at the examination conducted by the National Union of Teachers. Both candidates were awarded certificates for 160 words per minute, one taking the silver medal, and the other the bronze medal, offered by the Union for the best papers at this rate of speed. With regard to the first of these two papers, the examiner says it is one of the best he has ever seen. His comment upon the paper is as follows: "This candidate has worked a magnificent paper, with less than one per cent. of errors. The shorthand note is wonderfully clear and distinct, and the exact knowledge displayed of what is required from a capable shorthand writer is very praiseworthy." The second of these two papers is an exceedingly fine exercise, the shorthand note being specially excellent. After an inspection of this paper one can quite easily understand the writer taking as he did the Metropolitan School's first prize for verbatim reporting.

There were also three fine specimens of excellent work done by candidates at 120 words a minute in the examinations of the Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes. Each of these was awarded a first prize and a silver medal. Two of the candidates obtained 119 marks out of a possible 120, the third being just below them with 118 marks.

There were also exhibited the three best papers worked by candidates at 90 words a minute in the Union's examinations for 1901 and 1902. These exercises were remarkable as being absolutely perfect, both in the shorthand notes and the transcripts. They were the best out of 1,452 exercises, and were highly creditable to the candidates who worked them, and to the teachers by whom the writers were trained. Then there were worked exercises at a lower speed, the best only out of thousands being exhibited.

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In the Advanced Theory test for 1901, under the Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes, one exercise was worked in a manner which would excite the wonder and even the envy of many an experienced teacher of the system. This paper was included in the exhibit, and it is certainly a rare example not only of keen powers of apprehension, but of a remarkably capacious and retentive memory. The examiner comments upon the paper thus: This is a remarkable paper. The candidate has, in addition to working an excellent paper, memorized the paragraphs referring to the rules of which the words given are illustrations or tests. In only three cases is the candidate slightly wrong." The writer of the paper was awarded 117 marks out of a possible 120. It was very interesting to notice how the candidate had first written the shorthand outline for the printed word, and then placed above it the number of the paragraph in the "Instructor" which gave the rule according to which the shorthand outline was written. Truly an extraordinary pupil, and one likely to make his mark in the world.

In the Elementary Theory test in the examinations of the same authority for the years 1901 and 1902, there were many excellently worked papers. The examiners selected the best of these, and they were exhibited along with the exercises already referred to. Altogether the exhibit might be truly called unique. It is worthy of remark that the whole of the papers thus singled out for exhibition were written in ink, the speed tests as well as the theoretical tests, a fact that should not be lost sight of by teachers and students in preparing for the spring examinations.

The exercises in typewriting were all excellent, and quite worthy of the prominence given to them in the exhibition. One of the tests was a piece given in order to exhibit the candidate's knowledge of the key-board. In order to obtain full marks the candidate has to type the test in a perfectly faultless manner. The papers shown were so worked, and were fine examples of the work which can be done by careful students.

The whole exhibit was effectively mounted and arranged, and Messrs Beardwell and Sandiford are to be congratulated upon the success of their efforts. It is probable that the papers will be shown at the next meeting of the Manchester District of the I.S.S. T., in which case teachers in the district are recommended to make an effort to see them.

PITMAN'S METROPOLITAN SCHOOL.

TRAINING FOR THE EXAMINATIONS.

The attendance at the above course, which has already been described as having reached the highest point it had yet attained, was still very large during December.

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At the eighth model test Mr de Bear dealt with a number of topics, some connected with the subject of his previous address on "The Ideal Student," and some arising more directly out of the work of the previous week. Among these were "causes of clashing," the choice of the best outline" in any given case, and "positional writing." As regards the choice of outline, Mr de Bear said that the power of readily selecting the best outline could only be acquired as the result of thorough familiarity with the textbooks, in conjunction with the continuous reading of standard shorthand. As regards positional writing, the cultivation of the habit of writing every word in position was advocated. In time this became almost an instinct, and that instinct could never lead to any harm, while it would ensure the employment of this safeguard in cases where it was really necessary.

The ninth lecture was delivered by Mr D. B. Jones on "The Future of Locomotion," The lecturer also gave the preliminary address, taking as his subject "Discouragements to Beginners," the remedy suggested for which was steady plodding.

At the ninth model test Mr de Bear dealt with the subject of punctuation in the shorthand note, and advocated a definite system of marking the end of the sentence. Some writers endeavoured to punctuate pretty fully in the shorthand note, but that was not absolutely necessary. The indication of the end of the sentence, however, was of vital importance, its non-observance sometimes leading to alteration, or entire perversion of the meaning of the speaker's language. Another subject discussed was the "exaggeration of the doubles "double-length strokes, double sized circles, and the large sized hooks for and tion. The neglect of this precaution was responsible for many errors.

The tenth lecture was given by Mr J. Bygott on "John Bull as Rip Van Winkle." Mr Ledger took for the subject of his preliminary address "Lost Opportunities," and showed how much could be done by the right use of odd moments.

Among the subjects dealt with by Mr de Bear at the tenth model test was that of the influence of angles upon speed and legibility. The term " sharp angle," was frequently on the lips of the shorthand teacher, and might be dashed off without ceremony, but not so the obtuse angle, which required more careful handling; while on the one hand it was not possible or desirable that this should be written with the exactitude of the shorthand text-book or phonographic magazine, there was danger that in the process of rounding off the angle in speed writing the shorthand might become so loose and so wanting in character as to be either unrecognisable, or else to suggest something quite different from what was intended. This was a sufficiently serious source of error, but it was often combined with other causes of error, and then, perhaps, they were inclined to blame shorthandand, no doubt, the shorthand was to blame, but it was their own shorthand, not that of Sir Isaac Pitman, upon which the blame ought to be laid.

The eleventh lecture was on " Educational Novels," by Mr A. E. Hazell. In his preliminary address, Mr Ledger dwelt upon the use and abuse of the imagination as factors in transcription.

At the eleventh model test Mr de Bear's subject was "Hindrances to Speed Writing." He had recently had to complain that a certain student wrote "too well." That sounded strange, but the explanation was that the student had fallen into a mistake not uncommon to the beginner in speed work. The beginner was sometimes apt to think that he must make every shorthand sign ideally perfect as regards the shape, thickness, curvation, position and length. Per

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sistence in the idea would render it impossible to reach anything like a high working speed. The difference between "free" and "loose" shorthand was also dwelt upon. Certain outlines caused trouble to the beginner or to the illtrained writer, not because they were difficult as a whole, but because some portion of the outline involved an awkwardness to the unskilled writer. By bestowing extra care upon the awkward portion of the outline, they would be able to afford to rush" the other portion, and thus the desired end, swiftness combined with legibility, would be attained.

The twelfth lecture was delivered by Mr H. Wellman on "The Sea in English Poetry." Mr Ledger completed his previous remarks on safeguards in shorthand, and then devoted the rest of his address to a review of the course then closing, and to hints and cautions for the ensuing qualifying

course.

SHORTHAND AS A MECHANICAL ART.

The lectures for 1903 in connection with the London Phonetic S.W.A. were inaugurated on Thursday, 8th Jan, by the delivery at the Arcadian, Queen street, E.C., of a New Year's Address by the President, Mr E. A. Cope.

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Mr Cope observed that one thing that critics persisted in saying was that shorthand was a mechanical art. He ventured to invite them to consider calmly the probability that that statement might be true, and he suggested further that shorthand was intended to be a mechanical art, that in proportion as it became mechanical it became capable of accomplishing the tasks for which it existed, and that its mechanical perfection was a circumstance of which they ought to boast. There was an opinion that between the mechanical and the mental a necessary antithesis existed. He thought that opinion erroneous. The bulk of our mental processes were mechanical. Every mechanical process of human origin represented a mental process repeated and made as it were perThe object of all discipline, all drill, all training, was to make us do things mechanically; to make it certain that, whenever a given stimulus of a certain kind was applied, a certain act or succession of acts would follow. An army reserve man taking home his Sunday dinner, and hearing the word "Attention ! " suddenly shouted at him by a waggish acquaintance, instantly stood at attention, to the detriment of his dinner, which found a resting-place in the gutter! That man had been finely trained. He had become a machine, or, in other words, a creature of habit. Every habit was a process become mechanical by repetition, and every machine was a collection of organized habits. A habit was the power to perform something automatically-that is, without any conscious superintendence of the mind. Our attention was not necessarily engaged upon the action that had become habitual. An adult, determining to walk, felt no need to direct the movements of every muscle involved, but with the child learning to walk, the mind had to be concentrated on every detail of that task. Mr Cope cited and discussed several other illustrations, the countryman walking through Cheapside, the Londoner accomplishing the same feat, the lady reading aloud and knitting simultaneously, the pianist finding it necessary at first to look at every key before striking it, and, ultimately, as the result of training, becoming able to play accurately with an almost inconceivable rapidity.

Habit was a thing that economized effort. This was seen convincingly in the acquisition and use of Phonography. The young shorthand writer began by laboriously thinking out every outline. He had to recall the alphabetic characters he had learnt: then he had to think of the rule that applied to the word he wanted to write. And when this process had been consciously gone through, and not till then, he could begin to form the outline he desired. But before he could achieve any worthy results with Phonography, he had to reach the stage at which the mind was able to go through all the processes quite unconsciously and with great rapidity, the stage at which the writer was freed from the necessity of considering outlines, and could devote his whole attention to the act of listening. There was a further stage occasionally reached, when the entire process of hearing and writing became automatic, and the attention could be engaged on something unconnected with either. Every habit, every mechanical process, enabled work to be accomplished with a minimum of mental effort or of mental attention. The mind was set free to occupy itself simultaneously with other matters. In the light of this truth, two things became clear: (1) that there was no necessary antagonism between the mental and the mechanical; (2) that the more we multiplied

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