Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

"

And does that compare favourably with the same experience from the United States?"

"Well, it is about the same, excepting that the machines coming from the States are generally heavier than the Empire. The reason I mention that point about the carriage of typewriters to this country is that there would be very little to be gained by all the trouble and expense of duplicating plant, etc., for the setting up of a typewriter factory in England, when the carriage from Canada and the States is so low. That, at any rate, is a fact which tells in favour of keeping the manufacturing of typewriters in the States and in Canada. Of that small carriage of less than is. 6d. for a machine, half is absorbed by the railway charge from Liverpool to London, 200 miles, the other half being for the distance of over 3,000 miles from Montreal to Liverpool. When you come to send out machines to other countries from London, however, the carriage becomes more."

Finally Mr Bland was able to give this gratifying intelligence, that since 1st Jan. of the present year the Empire Company has sold and delivered to His Majesty's Government 386 Empire typewriters, "Which," added Mr Bland, "constitutes a record in the history of the typewriter industry in the United Kingdom, and it is the result of seven years' practical trial of our machines in the Government Departments side by side with other makes."

REMINISCENCES OF THE LATE
MR J. WALKER.

A feeling of sadness and longing, a yearning after the golden days of my boyhood suddenly possessed me when I read the obituary notices which appeared in the Journal of 18th July. The first of these recorded the passing onward of one of the dearest friends of my youth. Those of us, and I hope there are but few, who are inclined to sneer at enthusiasm, would surely have been converted to a more generous sentiment had they known James Walker as I knew him, in the early sixties. At that time, about 1861-2, I was a boarder at Grosvenor School, Bath, the headmaster of which was one John Lambel Harrison, an earnest, excellent, and decidedly eccentric dominie, somewhat in advance of his times in many things, but having no sympathy with matters stenographic. As I was but a youngster of ten years of age, I did not come much in contact with the headmaster excepting on special occasions, in common with others of the less industrious among our community.

Thus it was that I became more particularly associated with James Walker, who was then our second in command. I had been at the school some time in advance of Mr Walker, His predecessor was an enthusiastic shorthand student, devoting much of his spare time, little enough at most, to mastering the Gurney system, while I was already floundering rather hopelessly in Leonard's most unpractical scheme of stenography. Mr Pridham, the Gurney writer, warned me that I was doing no good. When he left us, his successor soon demonstrated to me that he was an enthusiast indeed in shorthand matters. How glad I was to find that in Mr Walker, kindest of friends, best of masters, I had found a kindred spirit. We soon got into touch famously, in spite of the difference in our ages, and I was appointed my friend's special" reading boy.' As reading boy my duty was to read on steadily from some newspaper report, or sermon, while Mr Walker did his best to keep pace with me. Sometimes, keeping one eye on the book from which I was dictating, and stealing a glance at my friend with the other, I noticed the condition of anxiety, excitement, and perspiration he got into when we came upon a more than usual tough word or windy sentence! At such moments my tender little heart failed me and I slackened speed, or even stopped altogether. Then Mr Walker would look up reproachfully at me and regretfully at his watch, which, unlike me, had no mercy whatever, but kept relentlessly on. "Don't do that again, Frank, or I shall get some other fellow to read to me!" After that I never, well, scarcely ever had mercy on the dictatee again, for I was

jealous of my appointment. To tell the truth, so far from stopping was I, that I very astutely increased my reading pace until my victim actually implored mercy. Then I was happy indeed, for, be it remembered, I was but a human boy, rather given to soaring on the wings of self-importance.

Mr Walker had a rival in the same line of business, so to speak. His colleague, a Mr B., was also grinding hard at Phonography, and it was not a little amusing to me to be asked to read for both these enthusiasts at the same time, and to note what sort of a race they made of it. Mr B. was a fairly good man, but had neither the innate gift nor the manual dexterity needed to keep pace with my own particular man, and alas! one dark day, when Mr B. broke down abruptly, I so far forgot the dignity of my office as to burst out laughing, for which I received a smart box on the ear. That broke up our meeting. I need hardly say that Mr Walker was busy enough making converts to Phonography among us boys. Some took it up with a view to "buttering' the master, as we phrase it, but soon found out their mistake, Mr Walker being not only a kind master but a just one, and therefore above favouritism. Indeed, he often sent me up to the headmaster for a caning, in spite of our excellent understanding when he was off duty. This did not interrupt our friendship then, nor diminish my respect for him in after life. Other boys took up the work more seriously, and got on well. Strange to say, all this time I was wrestling with Odell's queer version of Taylor's system, having given up Leonard in despair. Mr Walker chaffed me unmercifully about my "nice little outlines." He once challenged me suddenly to write the word "transubstantiation" in Odell's system. I did so. Mr Walker then showed me how it was done in Phonography. After that I ceased to swagger about Odell.

Presently my friend made a great resolve; it was no less than to copy out the whole of the Book of Common Prayer in Phonography. I well remember the very day on which he brought home from the city the best manuscript book he could get for the purpose, together with a cake of vermilion paint and a little brush, not forgetting some choice fine pens from the Phonetic Institute. It was the intention of the enthusiast to write all the rubrics in vermilion. This delicate task was commenced forthwith, but my services were not required so often now, for, like the scroll of the Law in the synagogues, the manuscript Prayer Book was to be without blemish. The penmanship of this undertaking was really beautiful, Mr Walker having a strong artistic bent. It was his custom then, and afterwards, to make his curves rather more decided than is usually the case with phonographers, and the shading of his thick strokes and curves was somewhat strongly accentuated. Yet the appearance of the whole was beautiful indeed. Here again his rival started a manuscript Prayer Book. He splashed along somehow with a not very well made quill pen, and indifferent red ink, and whether he ever finished his task I am rather doubtful.

Mr Walker seemed never to be able to get quite free from his shorthand enthusiasm. Even on the way to and from our cricket field, and while on our school walks, he always had something in the shape of shorthand to ponder over. The battle of the shorthands went on merrily. One fellow had picked up a catch-penny book called Mackenzie's Shorthand, and another had an old copy of Mavor, and yet another had a copy af Harding's version of Taylor, and each boy had his following, so my friend had plenty to do to sustain the merits of his beloved Phonography. This stenographic craze at last trespassed on our school work, and the headmaster, with one word, banished the matter from the school, or at least, thought he had.

On my return one half-year, I found to my genuine sorrow that Mr Walker had not returned also, but had left. How lonely I was! If only he would come back he might send me up to the Head as often as he liked. It was then that I remembered his kindness to me at school, when I was down with a bad spell of fever, and in those days sick schoolboys were not too tenderly cared for. Now, nearly forty years after, I can see my friend come to me, feel my forehead,

give me some cooling drink, and hear his kind words of hope and encouragement. As he was then, so he lived until the end, I am sure. For many years after we parted we continued our correspondence, and in the course of it I received much valuable shorthand coaching from him, having become a convert at last. Then a space of many years went by in silence. Accidentally a few years ago I found out where my old friend was, and renewed our letters. But by this time all was changed. No, not quite all. There was the same kind heart, the same cheery word, the same sympathizing spirit, and the same strong enthusiasm for the study and practice of Phonography. Then another silence came. Never again shall I receive one of those well-remembered and so delicately traced communications, breathing in every line of them something of the old fire, the old energy, unquenchable courage, and never failing loyalty. James Walker was my friend. Think of what a friend should be, and he was that. FRANK SMITH.

[ocr errors]

LEGAL TERMS, PHRASES, AND
ABBREVIATIONS

FOR TYPISTS, AND SHORTHAND AND OTHER
JUNIOR CLERKS.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "ELEMENTARY LAW FOR
SHORTHAND CLERKS AND TYPISTS."

III. TERMS USED IN LITIGATION (CONTINUED).
Guardian ad litem.-In Chancery proceedings, in which
property is involved in which infants are interested, it is a
common thing to make infants parties either as plaintiffs or
defendants in order that their interests may be properly re-
presented and protected. And there are other cases in which
an infant may be sued. An infant appears to an action by a
guardian ad litem," that is to say, a person who acts, or is
supposed to act, for him and to guard or protect his interests
in the litigation. This person is substantially in the same
position as the "next friend" through whom an infant plain-
tiff sues.
The appearance is entered in an action against an
infant defendant in the name of the infant by his guardian
ad litem thus: "John Smith an infant by William Smith his
guardian ad litem." And this description is used in all pro-
ceedings in the action.

The proposed guardian has to sign a written consent to act in that capacity, and an affidavit has to be made by the solicitor who enters the appearance verifying the consent and proving the fitness of the intended guardian ad litem. The Consent may be in the following form: Consent:

[blocks in formation]

I James Thompson of Lewes in the County of Sussex solicitor make oath and say as follows:

1. William Smith of High street Brighton in the said County of Sussex retired merchant [or if the solicitor is unable or prefers not to swear positively "I am informed and verily believe that William Smith of" etc] is a fit and proper person to act as guardian ad litem of the above-named infant defendant John Smith and the consent of the said William Smith to act as such guardian is hereto annexed

2. The said William Smith has no interest in the matters in question in this action adverse to that of the said infant Sworn etc.

The affidavit with the usual filing stamp (2s. 6d.) affixed are presented with the appearance præcipe when the appearance is entered for the infant,

Interpleader. This term is used to designate proceedings that sometimes become necessary when two persons claim each to be entitled to payment from a third person of the same debt, or to delivery from him of the same goods. It is also applied to proceedings that are taken when a Sheriff having, under a writ of execution, seized goods apparently in the possession of the execution debtor on whose goods the writ directs him to levy, is met with a claim by some other person to the ownership of those goods or part of them.

It may and occasionally does happen that a man who has accepted a bill of exchange, and who is quite ready and willing to meet it at maturity, discovers that the bill is in the hands of somebody who claims to be the holder for value, and to be entitled to receive payment of the amount for which it is drawn, but whose title is disputed by the drawer of the bill, who declares that it got improperly into the possession of the actual holder, and that he, the drawer, is the only person really entitled to payment. The acceptor, rather than bear the brunt of two actions, and rather than run the risk of paying to the wrong person and having to pay a second time to the right person, issues an interpleader summons, which is directed to and served upon both the claimants, and leaves them to fight out their respective claims, he submitting to any order which the court may make, and usually bringing the money in dispute into court to await the trial of the question.

The commonest form of interpleader is that initiated by the Sheriff after he has seized goods by virtue of a writ of Fieri Facias. It very often happens that although the goods are in the possession and, as far as can be seen, entirely under the control of the execution debtor, the Sheriff as soon as he seizes them receives written notice that the debtor's wife, or his son or daughter, or the trustees of his marriage settlement, or a bill of sale holder, or some other persons, claim that the goods belong to them and not to the debtor. Whenever this happens, the Sheriff gives notice at once to the execution creditor, who is expected to notify within four days whether he admits or disputes the claim. The execution creditor or his solicitor proceeds to make inquiries and to see any documents alleged to corroborate the claim, and if it appears to be satisfactory, instructs the Sheriff to withdraw. When the execution creditor does not admit the claim, or intimates that he disputes it, or regards it as a bogus or a fraudulent claim, the Sheriff issues an interpleader summons," and the claimant, unless he thinks it wiser not to proceed further with his claim, attends by his solicitor or in person on the hearing of the summons armed with affidavit and other evidence in support. As soon as the summons is issued the contest becomes one between the execution creditor and the claimant, a contest in which the loser is liable to have to pay the costs-a contest of which the Sheriff or other person interpleading is merely a sort of interested spectator, ready to do just what the court may direct, but not otherwise taking part in the struggle.

In most cases the matter is decided on the hearing of the summons in chambers. But the parties are entitled to have the question tried in the same manner as any other claim in an action, and sometimes it turns out on the hearing in chambers that there are important questions in dispute between the parties which cannot be conveniently disposed of there and then. It may be desirable to have the witnesses who have made affidavits brought up for cross-examination in court. Or there may be questions of law to decide. A question that has cropped up many times on the hearing of an interpleader summons is as to whether a bill of sale under which a claim has been made is valid. Many bills of sale have in such proceedings been declared to be invalid. In all these cases the master or the judge in chambers will direct an issue to be tried. and will make such further order as may seem most suitable for the protection of the property in dispute until the issue has been tried and disposed of. Goods may be directed to be sold and the proceeds paid into court to await the result; and where money is in dispute it will almost as a matter of course be ordered to be brought into court,

(To be continued. Commenced in No 1,)

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

I venture to write to you on a matter which I think may be of interest.

The results of the last Society of Arts Examination in Typewriting are now published, and I find that I have not only succeeded in obtaining a 1st Class Certificate in the Advanced Grade, but that I have been placed 1st in the British Isles, thereby gaining the Society's 1st Prize of £3, and the 1st Bronze Medal.

I should like to place on record the value of "Pitman's Typewriter Manual." Before sitting for this Examination I made a thorough study of this Manual, mastered the rules with which I was not previously acquainted, worked through the exercises, and got a good grasp of the correct styles of displaying the various kinds of commercial, legal and literary work which a typist is called upon to perform.

I might say that I attended no class in the subject, and received no instruction in it apart from that contained in your valuable "Manual."

Yours faithfully,

WILFRED E. WILSON.

THE CUSACK INSTITUTE.

The results of the recent Commercial Examinations are again highly satisfactory for the Cusack Institute, Finsbury Pavement, London, E.C. Three students from the Institute gained the unique distinction of being placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd by the Society of Arts' examiner, while all the students presented gained certificates in shorthand, typewriting, and book-keeping. This is the second year in snccession that a Cusack student has gained the much coveted 1st place at the Society of Arts. At the London Chamber of Commerce fifty distinctions were awarded for shorthand, while at the National Union of Teachers four medals were gained by the School students in shorthand and typewriting. This is a splendid record, and one of which any school has good reason to be proud.

BOOK-KEEPING EXAMINATION PAPERS.

ANSWER TO No. 69 (page 607).

I owe to C. Duke... to C. Fell

to A. Bell and Co.

to Gwatkin, Harrison and Co.

I have gained by commission on the transactions.

£ s. d. 149 423 549 10

39 5 O

198 13 9 84 13 9

LITERARY NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

Messrs Methuen have made arrangements for the publication of a new English translation of the novels of Dumas in sixpenny volumes. At least thirty novels by Dumas have never been rendered into English, and many of those that have are no longer in print. With the exception of one or two that are not considered to be agreeable to English taste; the series will be practically complete. "The Three Muske

teers," in two volumes, has just been issued. The books are in paper covers, but the type is good. A half-crown edition of the works, printed on superior paper, bound in cloth, and illustrated in colours is also announced.

The edition of Macaulay's "Critical and Historical Essays," on which Mr F. C. Montague has been long occupied is now published. He says in his preface: "While endeavouring to give such corrections or explanations of particular statements as seemed inevitable, the editor has refrained from re-writing the Essays' under the pretext of commenting upon them. He has not thought it his duty to repeat incessantly that the modern conception of history differs in several respects from Macaulay, that Macaulay was a staunch party man, or that Macaulay often used strong and emphatic language."

Towards the autumn Messrs Chapman and Hall will publish a book by Mr and Mrs Snowden Ward entitled "The Real Dickens Land." It is a sketch of the novelist, told, as it were, through the places where he lived, or with which he was associated. The places mentioned in his books have also been carefully identified and specially photographed. Accordingly, the volume treats of Dickens-land in two senses, and his own personality is all pervading. It is one more tribute to the hold which Dickens literature maintains with English readers.

Sir Frank Burnand's reminiscences are promised by Messrs Methuen for the autumn in two volumes. They will give a narrative of his life at Eton, his career at Cambridge, and his start in life, together with the whole of his literary and theatrical history. The book will have many anecdotes of the great contributors to Punch, and of famous characters in and out of society, and particularly in the regions of what Sir Frank terms prehistoric Bohemia."

The plates which form the frontispieces to the most recently published parts of Cassell's "Encyclopaedic Dictionary" are wonderful examples of delicate and accurate colour printing. They deal respectively with Fungi, the insignia of the Order of the Garter, Gulls, and Hawk-Moths, and in association with the definitions are most helpful to the seeker after information. With Part 37 the fourth volume of the work is commenced, and subscribers have, therefore, in the three volumes completed a substantial instalment of the work for reference or for general study of the English language. The body of the work is brought down in Part 38 to the word harp, and the supplementary portion to the term rig out.

Some attractive contributions on various forms of physical exercise appear in Vim for July. The claims of divers professors to be considered the strongest man" are freely discussed; an interesting article on the various styles of wrestling is contributed by the hon. instructor to the City of London Police in the ancient pastime. The walking craze suggests a helpful article on "How to Walk," illustrated by diagrams showing the right positions to adopt. There is also a timely contribution on " Rational Pedestrianism," in which the author (Mr E. A. Cope) demonstrates that it is still possible to get refreshing walking exercise without the risk of being run down by the motorist or motor bicyclist, and without being smothered with dust or covered with mud by the horseless variety of traffic. Boating and yachting for amateurs are practically described and effectively illustrated.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors]

ب

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]

But when the lady saw the horse, as Eric was invisible, she cried Here is a fine horse who will soon carry me back to the out, Palace of Delight!" Eric went up to her, though she could not see him, and made his horse stand still. On this the lady sprang on the animal's back, when Eric took her gently in his arms and put her before him. As she could see no one, this frightened her very much. But when he took off his little cap and became visible, she thanked him for his aid. On this he asked her how it came about that she had fallen into the hands of the robbers, and she told him her story as follows:

"There was fairy who fell in love with a prince and married him in spite of all that the other fairies said. So they would not allow her to live with them, and all that she could do was to build a fine palace as near as possible to fairy-land. But the prince grew tired of his bride, who knew all that he was about to do and cast a spell over anybody who pleased him. So he made up his mind to go far away from the palace and hide himself in a great

cave at the foot of a mountain, where he thought his wife would not be able to find him. But he was wrong, for she came to him and begged him to come back to the palace. As he would not do so, she said that she would abandon him to his folly.

"So she got into her flying chariot and went off. On reaching her palace she dismissed all the guards and men servants, and took it away to a certain island. Here she raised an army of amazons, who kept out any man who would seek to visit the place. She had with her a young princess, her daughter, who is very charming, and it is on her that I attend. None of us grow old. I daresay I appear to you to be very young, but such as you see me I have been for two centuries.

"Except yourself and the robbers, I have never seen a man till now in all my life. They told me they were sent by a very ugly fellow named Furibond, who is in love with my mistress. He has been rowing round our island for some time, but our amazons keep him from landing. I have to take care of my lady's birds, but had the ill-luck this morning to let her favourite parrot escape, and as I feared I might be scolded, I was foolish enough to leave the island in search of it. I was caught by four of his men, and but for your timely aid I should have been carried off."

(To be continued.)

« AnteriorContinuar »