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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.

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An expert commercial verbatim note (Pitman) offers a comfortable home in large modern house to young gentleman requiring coaching and practice. Terms very moderate, company principal object. Clements, 72 Killyon rd., Clapham, London, S. W.

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Wm. Hardy desires correspondence with phonographers in all parts of the world. General information. Longhand or shorthand. Prompt replies to all. 15 Mowbray st., Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Gentleman wishes to meet friend in district for mutual speed practice, or would assist learner for reading. Chas. Steward, 96 Bromley st., Stepney, London, E., near Stepney Station, G.E. Ry.

Phonographer wishes to meet another in district of Southwell for mutual improvement and speed practice. Beeson, Burgage villas, Southwell, Notts.

Correspondence desired with phonographers all over the world (in Corresponding Style). Geo. Hewitt, 30 Raby st., Moss Side, Manchester, England. [36] Pictorial post card correspondence desired. Good views only. Prompt replies. J. Howard, Chase Heys, Churchtown, Southport. [35] Pictorial post cards.-Correspondence desired (longhand or shorthand). John E. Stokes (Beira and Mashonaland Railways), Umtali, Mashonaland, Rhodesia, South Africa. [35] Correspondence invited in German with readers everywhere; pictorial post cards or otherwise; prompt replies. Edward Hodgson, 41 Cleveland avenue, North Shields.

Correspondence desired. Picture post cards, French, Spanish, or Phonography. All parts. Sam Morris, 147 Perry st., San Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.

Pictorial post cards. Correspondence desired in longhand or shorthand. Replies to all. J. Stewart, 11 Cavendish st., Lancaster. [35] Correspondence (shorthand or longhand) desired on pictorial post cards or otherwise, from all parts of the world (British Isles excepted). H. D. Stockwell, 56 Elms Vale rd., Dover, England.

Pictorial post card correspondence desired, home and abroad; longhand only. Coloured ones preferred. Guarantee satisfactory replies to all. Address William Gray, 10 Radnor st., Peckham, London, S.E.

Zealand.

Wanted, correspondence in pictorial post cards in longhand with all parts of the world. Apply A. C. Coker, Box 28, New Plymouth, New [36] Prompt replies. Wombwell, nr. [36]

Pictorial post cards. Exchange wanted, any country. Views preferred. William Barnes, Midland cottages, Barnsley, England.

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. Teachers' 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.

Typists' Section, I.P.S. (the N.U. of Typists is incorporated with this Section). Examinations for teachers and typists, lectures, demonstrations, discussions, employment bureau, advice on typewriting matters, etc. Annual subscription, 5s.; members of I.P.S., 3s 6d. Rules, Examination Syllabus, Forms of Application, etc., from the Hon. Sec., Geo. Colebourn, F.I.P.S., 151 Second ave., Manor Park, Essex. Examinations periodically. Copies of last papers (March and July), is per set. 441 Gentleman in good position, having leisure at his disposal, would gratuitously undertake secretarial or similar duties for Society advancing the interests of phonographers, typists, or clerks. London or provincial. Address communications to Secretary, 13 Cheyne row, Chelsea, London, S.W.

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Newcastle-on-Tyne. Tyneside Phonographers' Association (federated), Church Institute, Hood street. Meets every Friday evening for speed practice (from 40 words a minute), etc. For full particulars apply to Geo. W. Muir, Hon. Secretary, 27 Redheugh Bridge rd., Gateshead. [43]

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. [3]

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. Samples for id. Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd.

New Thought Evercirculator. Devoted exclusively to shorthand characters. Bright and interesting. New ideas. Only willing members wanted. Address Jas. Moores,* jun., 129 Cleggs lane, Little Halton, nr. Bolton.

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. [43]

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, Ŝ.E. [43] Second-hand Books, Shorthand or Phonetic, for Sale, or Exchange, or Wanted, id. per line of ten words; Miscellaneous Books, 3d. per line. Wanted, copies of Parody's Spanish Phonography, and the following vols. of the Phonetic Journal-1871, 1872, and 1886; Pitman's Shorthand Weekly, vols. 3, 4, 6, and 7. Address, Isaac Pitman and Sons, 31 Union square, New York, U.S.A. [39]

Tom Brown's Schooldays (Reporting Style), Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (ditto), Reed's Shorthand Writer, Shorthand Dictionary, 40 Shorthand Magazines, Technical_Reporter, Reporting Selections and Exercises, Reporter's Assistant, Phonography in the Office, Reporter, Office Work in Shorthand, with key, Phonographic Phrase Book; also bundle of school books; 4s 6d the lot. Cassell's Popular Educator, 32 sixpenny parts complete; Cassell's Concise Cyclopedia (bound); Cassell's Illustrated History of the Boer War, 50 penny parts complete; 7s 6d the lot. IOS the two lots. B. R. Bouman, 16 Glady's rd., West Hampstead, London, N.W. 20th Century Manual, Key, Teacher, Æsop's Fables, Reporter's Reader, vol. 23 Shorthand Weekly. Lot 38 6d. S. Woodlock, Portland st., Leamington.

Copy of Pitman's Phonetic Journal wanted, 3rd Jan., 1903, containing biography and portrait of Robert A. Ababrelton. Apply Charles F. Booth, 13 King William st., London.

Books worth buying for the Holidays. All is id each, post free, all in good condition. Tom Brown's Schooldays in shorthand; Verbatim Reporting by McEwan; Commercial Correspondence, series two or three; Phonography adapted to French; A Special Parcel of Shorthand Books. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. [37]

For the Holidays All Is 6d each, post-free. All in good condition. Reed's Reporter's Guide; Reporter's Hand-book and Vade Mecum; Pitman's Reporter's Reading Book with Key in longhand, marked for speed practice; Book of Common Prayer in Shorthand; Special Parcel of Assorted Shorthand Magazines. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S. E. [36] Reading practice for the coming holidays, etc. 6s worth shorthand magazines in new condition, all different, post-free, Is 6d, sent any part of the world for money order for 2s; splendid and unequalled value. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. [37] For sale, few copies of Oliver McEwan's Verbatim Reporting, post-free Is Id. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. For sale, Pitman's Twentieth Century Dictionary, unbound, uncut, 25 3d post-free; also 50 Phonetic Journals to date, clean, 2s 3d. D. Mills, 4 Dark lane, Walsall.

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For sale, Dictionary, 7th edition, excellent condition; offers. Wanted, Dictionary, 20th century edition. F., 71 Park rd., Kingston-on-Thames. For sale, twelve nos. Reporters' Journal, March 1902 to March 1903 (April no. missing), is 6d; Gregg's System of Shorthand (1902), 2s; Pitman's Guide to Journalism, rod; and Pitman's Complete Commercial Arithmetic (unbound), Is 3d. Wanted, Smith's Latin-English Dictionary (small edition). W. S. Barritt, Forres, Scotland.

Clockwork Metronome for speed practice for sale, 5s 6d post-free. S. Pritchard, F.F.P.I., 6 Balchier rd., Honor Oak, London, S.E.

For sale, post-free, Pitman's Business Arithmetic and Key, Is; Arithmetic Made Easy, 1s; 36 Phonetic Journals, Is. T. R., Alice cottage, Church st., Bocking, Braintree.

TO SHORTHAND LEARNERS.-Students commencing the study of Pitman's Shorthand are recommended to obtain the "Phonographic Teacher," td.; "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, Newsagent, 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 74 ; terms of subscription same as above.

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SHORTHAND AS A RESERVE.

The man who most frequently and most loudly describes himself as a practical man, turns out very often to be not very practical after all. His gaze is fixed upon the needs and possibilities of the moment. He has, as he thinks, a keen eye for the main chance, that being the chance that presents itself immediately and obviously before his vision at the time. Those who prepare themselves for a mere contingency, who think it desirable to fit themselves to accomplish tasks that they are not called upon at the moment to undertake, he despises: for his part, he will not waste his time over useless studies, he will not devote himself to subjects that, as far as he can see, are hardly likely to be wanted to enable him to earn his living! He is a practical man! This is the man who tells you that shorthand is of no use to him: it is not worth his while to master it, because, in his chosen occupation, it would be of no service to him. He can generally make out a plausible case for his refusal to take up not only this subject but many others as well. But those whose outlook upon life is wider than his can easily see that he is the victim of a fallacy. He is not so practical as he thinks. Some day an emergency arises which no one could have foreseen. The few accomplishments to which he has narrowly confined himself no longer suffice. He has got himself into a small groove and finds it difficult to get out of it. This experience is very common, and the lesson it teaches is not an uncertain one. The really practical man is the man who learns that lesson and acts upon it.

The practical man is the resourceful man who, when one occupation fails him, can turn readily to another. He is able to make the change because he has capacities in reserve which were not brought into exercise before, but which he is able to bring into exercise as soon as a suitable opportunity arises for their use. And in this way it has happened many times in real life that a man who has taken up shorthand as a hobby, or as a subject that fascinated him, though he saw at the time no likelihood of its serving him as a means of earning an income, has been able to gain admittance to a new calling that led ultimately to success in life. Sometimes a hobby has provided a fund of knowledge that has proved of more value in a pecuniary sense than all the other knowledge that its owner possessed. It has been a reserve kept in the background ready to be brought to the front when the decisive moment occurs; and its presence has enabled a splendid result to be achieved that would be impossible without it.

This, as we have suggested, is true of other things beside shorthand. It demonstrates, as we think quite conclusively, the fallacy of the argument that it is no use learning Phonography, because one has no practical use to put it to at the time. But there is a further fallacy involved. Shorthand is not useless to anybody. Only those who have not learned it at all can be under the delusion that it is incapable of rendering them assistance. It is always helpful to a busy man, and the busy man seldom fails to find opportunities that he did not so much as suspect before for employing his new acquirement. This hobby is an aid to every other hobby. It is a reserve upon which one may always draw, though it be to a limited extent only. And it is a reserve that it is well worth everybody's while to secure and keep in readiness. The really practical man is willing to be persuaded of this truth, because he sees that the more strings a man has to his bow, the more certainly will he be able to shoot, whatever unexpected circumstances may supervene, and the more satisfactorily and successfully will he be able to perform that operation whenever it may be required. He knows that a reserve is always a good and a desirable thing.

Messrs Mabie, Todd and Bard, manufacturers of Swan fountain pens, Cygnet stylos, gold pens, pencils, etc., 93 Cheapside, London, E.C., send us a copy of their new catalogue. This elegantly got up and profusely illustrated album should be obtained by everyone interested in fountain pens. It contains a large amount of information relative to the varieties of fountain pens and other writing instruments best adapted for work of different kinds. The illustrations indicate that fountain pens of the most elegant design in gold and silver are manufactured for presentation purposes. Army and Navy officers, travellers, and others will be interested to know that Swan fountain pen ink tablets are now procurable, so that a good writing fluid may be obtained by filling the reservoir of the pen with water and then dropping in a tablet. This will prove a great convenience to those unable to procure or carry fluid ink.

Mr W. H. Hodgson begs to inform correspondents that his address is now 33 Selbourne street, Loughborough.

It will interest youthful aspirants to learn that Carol Russell, son of Mr J. Max Russell, principal of the Carlisle Amanuenses and Business Training Institute, is, at the age of fourteen, satisfactorily filling a commercial appointment, at a salary of 25s. per week. The work requires intelligent and expert shorthand and typewriting skill.

Wade's Business Training College, Royal Exchange, Middlesbrough, is introduced to the public in a very attractively got up prospectus, embellished with illustrations and pictorial headings. Much useful information on commercial training is embodied in the brochure, and it may be noted that Mr H. Wade is a specialist in handwriting, which he teaches by an original method of his own.

An American shorthand writer, who appears to have been ignorant both of the Bible and of Bunyan, perpetrated some extraordinary errors in the official report of an important commercial congress recently published. One of the speakers, referring to Belshazzar's feast, said: "This old philosophic German has inscribed upon the walls: Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin.' The reporter made him say, "' men, men, tickle your face." Another orator took his audience to the top of Mount Pi gah "where you can view Beulah land." The reporter gave it, "where you can look below the land."

The Decimal Association is circulating the following resolutions which have been passed by the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia: "(1) That in the opinion of this House it is desirable that the metric system of weights and measures should be adopted with the least possible delay for use within the Empire. (2) That the most convenient method of obtaining the objects sought in resolution one is the passage of a law by the Imperial Parliament rendering the use of the metric system compulsory for the United Kingdom and for all parts of the Empire whose legislatures have expressed, or may hereafter express, their willingness to adopt that system."

The Rathmines Technical Instruction Committee, Dublin, has issued in the form of a penny booklet, containing a foreword by the Principal, the results of the sessional examinations of the School of Commerce in May last, together with the reports of the outside examiners. When it is considered that all the students, with very few exceptions, are employed during the daytime in their respective avocations, the results must be regarded as extremely satisfactory, and as furnishing evidence that the School has been established on the right lines. The subjects in which there were the largest numbers of students were English correspondence, shorthand, and book-keeping.

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Mrs Stockton, in describing the literary methods of her husband the late Mr Frank R. Stockton, the American novelist, says: "He dictated his stories to a stenographer. His favourite spot for this in summer was a grove of large fir-trees near the house. Here, in the warm weather, he would lie in a hammock. His secretary would be near, with her writing materials, and a book of her choosing. The book was for her own reading while Mr Stockton was thinking.' It annoyed him to know he was being waited for.' He would think out pages of incidents, and scenes, and even whole conversations, before he began to dictate. After all had been arranged in his mind, he dictated rapidly; but there often were long pauses, when the secretary could do a great deal of reading. In cold weather he had the secretary and an easy chair in the study."

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The Library Association will hold its annual meetings this year at Leeds. At the second morning session on 9th september there will be an important "Conference on the

Relations between Public Education and the Public Libraries," at which the following societies will be represented: Association of Assistant Masters in Secondary Schools, Association of Head Masters, Association of Head Mistresses, Cambridge University Local Examinations and Lectures Syndicate, Educational Institute of Scotland, London University Extension Board, National Home Reading Union, National Union of Teachers, Oxford University Extension Delegacy, and Victoria University (Manchester) Extension Committee.

TYPEWRITING NOTES.

The liquidator of North's Typewriter Manufacturing Co., Ltd., gives notice that the creditors of the company are required, on or before the 14th September, to send particulars of their debts and claims to the liquidator of the company.

In association with the lamented death of Mr Farjeon, the novelist, the fact is recalled that he used the writing machine himself, as well as employed typists. He was, we are told, a great worker. He practically never took a holiday, for wherever he went his typewriter went with him. He used to say that he worked because he had to work, and that he could not keep himself in health without working.

The Yost Typewriter Co. have produced a new machine styled the Twin Rack Yost, for writing large or small capitals at wide or narrow space. The machine is provided with two racks, one permitting a spacing equal to twice that of the other. This result is attained by means of a rack and pinion movement, and is absolutely under the control of the operator. The change is made instantaneously. Full particulars relative to the new machine may be obtained from the Yost Co, 50 Holborn Viaduct, London, E.C.

TP.'s Weekly for 7th August contains an article entitled "The Cry of the Typist," being a judicial and judicious summing up of the controversy recently raised by the Daily Mail as to the position of the woman typist and shortband writer. The conclusion drawn is that the failures in the shorthand-typewriting world are the operators drawn from the uneducated classes. The writer of the article suggests that something in the way of maintaining salaries might be done by such an institution as a Trades Union. We fear that there is little chance of such an organization succeeding in this task. There have been Typists' Unions already, and though they have done something to improve the standing of competent typists, they have done little or nothing to discourage the low wages so often offered, and which attract incompetency into the market.

It is reported from America that the Elliott-Fisher Company, incorporated in Delaware for $10,000,000, has for its object the consolidation of several book typewriter companies. $4,500,000 preferred stock and $4,500,000 common stock have been issued in order to acquire control of the Elliott-Hatch Book Typewriter Company, the Fisher Book Typewriter Company, the American Railway Typewriter. Company, the American Standard Typewriter Company and the Keystone Company. The consolidated company will control between 150 and 300 typewriter patents, and will control the book typewriter business. The company intends to construct a new factory near New York, probably in Brooklyn.

Notes and Queries for 25th July contained the following interesting letter from a correspondent:-"Is it a fact that the treaty of peace signed by the Boer generals was typed, and is the first such treaty? The army on active service has long found the advantages of typewriters, as is evidenced by numerous drawings in the illustrated papers; the navy also seems to have officially used the instruments for several years. For the past ten years, the registered copies of wills

at Somerset House have been typewritten, and all copies of wills now issued from the principal probate registry are in typewriting. Only two or three of the provincial probate registries have yet adopted the system, the reason for delay being a dislike on the part of the registrars to make any changes in their staffs, the present clerks having as yet not become typists. This is a little surprising, considering that even that conservative fraternity, the solicitors, are now getting a great deal of their work done in typewriting, and for many years wills have been typewritten and admitted to probate. It seems impracticable to trace the earliest type written will, but I understand that the earliest cases passed the seal without any difficulty being suggested. It is generally admitted that such documents stand no more risk of fraudulent alteration than those prepared by hand. Typewritten cheques have passed through the bank. Is the typewriter in use at the Record Office and the British Museum? The King's Privy Purse department and secretaries use the machines, and doubtless they are in use in the other departments of the Royal Households. Was this first introduced after the King's accession? Dates of the actual introduction of typewriting into the public departments will oblige."

In regard to the points raised in the foregoing paragraph, it may be of interest to our readers to know that typewritten cheques are quite common, several of the typewriter companies having set the fashion of typewritten cheques, this practice having since been adopted by quite a number of commercial firms; that the typewriter is used at the Record Office and the British Museum; that, in addition to the departments of the Royal Household mentioned in the letter, typewriters are used in the Lord Steward's Office and the Lord Chamberlain's Office; that they were used in the Royal Household before the accession of H. M. the King, but that the number used has been considerably increased since. As to the date of the introduction of typewriting into the public departments, it may be of interest to readers to know that machines were introduced into some of the Government offices comparatively early in the history of the typewriter,— certainly before 1880. Most of them were, however, shelved, on the plea that the pen was faster. It was not until the Remington Company established a branch in this country that the machines were brought into daily use, and their employment became general in the public service. The treaty of peace signed by the Boer generals was not the first typewritten treaty. The treaty of peace which concluded the Spanish-American War was typed.

The Umpire for 26th July has an article, entitled "A Typewriter for the Blind," as follows:-"A typewriter feature which makes the machine available for use by blind persons has been recently invented, and will soon be generally available by persons thus afflicted. The system contemplates the individualizing of the key-board by giving a separated characteristic to each key, by means of which it will be readily possible to recognise the key at once by touch. One key will be concave, while another will be convex; one will have a smooth edge, and another will be provided with serrated edges. Depressions and indentations, as well as raised headings, will be made use of, so that every key will have some distinctive quality by which it will be at once identified as soon as it is touched by the finger tip. Thus it will be possible for a blind person to readily acquaint himself with the arrangement of the key-board, and once this has been achieved, it will be a matter of little difficulty for a sightless person to work up as great a speed as the more fortunate operator who may be blessed with sight."

We do not believe that there is any need for such a complicated device as is described in the foregoing paragraph. If there is need of anything of the kind, it is of no value beyond the first few days of instruction. After that, any distinctiveness of the keys rather harasses than helps the operator. Experience show that the blind are remarkably quick in localizing the positions of the keys. Their diffi

culties in operation are not concerned with the key-board at all, but rather with those portions of the mechanism in dealing with which the sense of location does not come into play. SOCIETY OF ARTS (GRADE 1.) RESULTS.

The continued and steadily increasing success of the Society of Arts as an examining body is a fact that cannot be ignored, even by the most carping of critics of the modern examination system. Those who condemn all examinations as bad in principle and mischievous in effect, will only see in the circumstance a further evidence of the growing demoralization of our educational methods. But against their arguments there always stands the damaging and unanswerable fact that they have never yet been able to discover anything satisfactory to take the place of examinations. It is objected that pupils are trained to pass examinations. That is not necessarily an evil. If the examination tests are well designed, they should serve to indicate the goal towards which the training should be directed. They should serve the important purpose of keeping up the standard of instruction on the part of the teachers, and the standard of effort and study and solid hard work on the part of the pupils. In short, they should help very materially to promote the efficiency of the teaching and the direction of the learner's energy into the right channels. Wherever and whenever this result is brought about, the influence of examinations, instead of being bad, is undoubtedly good. And it is at least possible that that consideration has had something to do with the growth of the examination system itself. When the Society of Arts instituted its junior or preliminary examinations, the new departure aroused a good deal of criticism. The wisdom of holding junior examinations in commercial subjects was questioned. Possibly the details of the junior tests in some of those subjects were open to criticism. But the results have proved one thing incontestably the examination was wanted. It has been widely and extensively and largely supported.

That this is so no one can doubt who has had an opportunity of perusing the list of results of the Grade I. examination for the present year. Already, notwithstanding the shortness of the time that has elapsed since the original institution of the examination, the list of results fills no fewer than 36 pages. And the list reveals that candidates were submitted in all parts of the United Kingdom. The bulk of the candidates range in age from 14 to 25, though there are some above and some below both those limits. We notice that a man 44 years old, is among those who received a junior certificate in book-keeping, and that two candidates, both 46 years of age, received similar certificates in German. It is rever too late to learn, and one may always be a beginner in some subject or other. The number of candidates this year totals 5.382, and the number of papers worked was 6,020. As many as 3,392 of the candidates were successful in gaining certificates, but the figures that tell of failure are unfortunately large, amounting as they do to a total of 1,990. This examination, like all others, is a "weeding out" process. A comparison of the number of papers worked in each of the several subjects is instructive. Book-keeping, needless to say, stands at the top of the tree. In that subject, 1,684 papers were worked. But shorthand follows it very closely indeed, with 1,642 papers. Typewriting takes the third place, yielding as many as 732 worked papers. French follows with 660, commercial arithmetic with 584. handwriting with 366, German with 284; and last comes commercial history and geography, with the comparatively small number of 68 worked papers. The candidates come from a variety of sources. Technical schools and technical institutes supply a large number, but the largest figures are those of the various School Boards. More than two thousand of the candidates are presented by these bodies, the London Board submitting no fewer than 1,462. The examination received scanty support from some of the larger provincial School Boards-but the figures speak eloquently of the value of the Evening Continuation Schools.

WRITERS IN H.M. NAVY, AND SHIP'S

STEWARDS.

> Writer R.N. sends us the following communication: I have recently noticed in your replies to inquiries in the Journal several misstatements regarding the position and prospects of Writers in His Majesty's Navy, which leads me to believe that the information at your command is somewhat out of date. I therefore venture to forward the following particulars in the hope that they will prove useful to your readers.

Boy Writers are entered both from Greenwich School and from the shore according to requirements, but they are principally selected from the former place. When candidates are required from the shore the Admiralty advertise. Age, 14 to 16 The examination is simple, the subjects arereading, handwriting, arithmetic, and geography. Pay, one shilling per diem. At the age of 18 they are rated Third Writer, if of good character and ability, without examination. I would not recommend any youth to enter as a Boy Writer, however, for life on board a man-of-war as a boy is anything but pleasant or comfortable.

Third Writers are entered from the shore, there being usually two examinations each year, in May and November. Age, 18 to 22. Subjects of examination are handwriting, English composition, arithmetic, copying manuscript, and preference is given to candidates who have a knowledge of shorthand and typewriting. The examinations are much harder than they were a few years ago, and, in my opinion, rather beyond what is expected of a Boy Clerk in the Civil Service. The pay is 2s. per diem for seven days in the week, which is very poor, when it is considered that an expensive kit has to be kept up, the difficulty and expense in having washing done when away from home, and the necessity of keeping a large stock of white shirts and collars, as these cannot be washed on board. Third Writers rank with Able Seamen, which is rather low in the social scale. Successful candidates have to sign an engagement to serve for a term of twelve years continuously, should their services be so long required. They have to provide themselves with uniform, which costs from £15 to 20, towards the cost of which the Admiralty allow a gratuity of £3 10s. Provisions are provided free, but these are of very inferior quality and insufficient in quantity, so that one has to supplement them by purchasing from the canteen, when one is available. This runs into about a pound a month, so that by the time his mess and washing bills are paid, the Third Writer finds himself with very little pocket money.

After four years' service he is rated Second Writer, if of good character and ability, when his pay is raised to 3s. per diem. He then ranks as 2nd Class Petty Officer, and he is allowed certain privileges which as Third Writer he is debarred from.

After four years as Second Writer, he has to pass an examination for First Writer, the subjects being (1) arithmetic, (2) writing a service letter on a given subject, correct spelling and good writing, (3) knowledge of keeping and rendering the ship's ledger and other accounts, and savings bank business, (4) acquaintance with Admiralty instructions, and printed circular letters, especially as to rendering returns, award of summary punishments, medals, and badges, and the assessment of character. He must reach a certain standard in each subject, or he is rejected, and is not allowed to present himself for re-examination until such time as the Board of Examination decide at the time. If successful, he is rated, and receives pay at the rate of 4s. per diem, and ranks as 1st Class Petty Officer, being still better off as regards privileges. At the end of another four years' service his engagement is completed, and he is allowed to take his discharge if he so desires, but may re-engage to complete time for pension should his services be required. This is for another ten years, making total service of twenty-two years. If he has been recommended by his Captain for Chief Writer, for the last two years, he is rated and receives pay at the rate of 5s. per diem, and ranks as a Chief Petty Officer, which

is the highest position he can attain to. After five years as Chief Writer, he receives an increase of pay of sixpence per diem, this being the last of the increments allowed. Should he, however, be allowed to re-engage for a further term of five years, after completing time for pension, he receives 6s. per diem, but is not allowed to draw his pension until his actual discharge from the Navy.

Writers are eligible for Good Conduct Badges, but do not receive pay for them. The first is granted after three years' service with V.G. character, the second after eight years' service, and the third and last after thirteen years' service. A good conduct medal is granted after fifteen years of V.G. service, which carries with it a gratuity of £15 on taking pension. The punishments to which one is liable for the most trivial offences, however, render the attainment of the medal a matter of great speculation.

As regards pension, the maximum is £53 4s. 7d. per annum, arrived at as follows:

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Altogether, I would not recommend a young man to join the Navy as Writer, for the life has few attractions and a great many drawbacks, and although the pay may at first sight appear good, it is really very small, for the reasons I have stated. I have not yet met a Writer who honestly likes the life he is compelled to lead.

I would like to point out the advantages attending a branch of the service which seems altogether unknown to your readers. I refer to the Ship's Steward branch. The two branches are closely allied in their work, forming as they do the lower deck part of the Accountant Branch of the service. But as regards prospects the advantage is all on the side of the Stewards. The following particulars may prove interesting:

Ship's Steward's Boys are entered from Greenwich School and the shore in a similar manner to Boy Writers, their rate of pay being 7d. per diem. At the age of 18 they are rated Ship's Steward's Assistant, and receive pay at the rate of Is. 4d. per diem. At the end of three years they are examined for Ship's Steward, and if successful are rated as S.S A. over three years, and receive pay at Is. 1od. per diem, ranking with leading Seaman, which is a grade below 2nd Class Petty Officer. Their promotion is now a matter of selection, and a man of ordinary intelligence may fully expect that in four and a half years from the date of entry he will be made Ship's Steward, with daily rate of pay of 4s., and ranking with Chief Petty Officer. After five years as S.S. the pay is increased to 5s. 6d. a day, after which time the income rises by increments of Is. a day every five years, until the maximum of 8s. 6d. is reached.

As regards the duties. The S S. Boy, and the S.S.A., occasionally have a little drudgery to do, in the way of cleaning measures, etc., but this is very small. Otherwise the life is freer and more healthy than that of a Writer, and the amount of work to be done is much less. As a general rule, a S.S. need do nothing but keep his accounts, which is not a very stupendous task, and takes up a very small portion of the day. The pay and pension are also much better, so that to any youth who has set his heart on entering the accountant branch of the Navy, I would strongly recommend him to give his serious attention to the Ship's Steward division. S.S.A's.

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