PITMAN'S SHORTHAND CERTIFICATES. The following Certificates are issued :

"

▲ Hird 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 1-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
Cullen T. J., Coolowley, Grogan, Ballybrophy, Queen's Co.
Lyndridge A. W., 48 Norfolk avenue, Southend-on-Sea
Nunn T. L., 285 Dewsbury rd., Leeds

Rice H. D., Ark House School, Banbury

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

144)

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Correspondence desired with Irish and Canadian phonographers; prompt replies. Harold Hepworth, 65 Westfield crescent, Westfield rd., Leeds.

Correspondence desired with phonographers in all parts of the world. F. Drude, 50 Peel st., Hong Kong China.

[36] Picture post cards.-Six view cards, is; twelve for is 1od. Posted from London, Oxford, Chipping Norton, Newbury, Faringdon, Dorking, etc., 29th August to 5th Sept. No orders after 28th August. C. W. H., 129 Boleyn rd., Forest Gate, Essex.

Pictorial shorthand post cards. Advertiser will send free, series unique design, beautifully coloured. Miss Harvey, Macroom, Baxter ave., Southend. [36]

Pictorial post cards. Correspondence invited from all parts; any subject. E. Hester, 31 Aislibie rd., Lee, London, S.E.

Pictorial post cards exchanged; prompt replies (longhand or shorthand). F. E. Sillence, 25 Church st., Romsey, Hampshire.

Pictorial post cards exchanged (shorthand, longhand, or French) with residents in all parts of the world. Stanley Read, Whittlesea, Peterborough, England.

Miss Marie E. Young, 3 Pirie st., Wellington, New Zealand, desires to thank all those who have so kindly sent her pictorial post cards in reply to her advertisement. She will answer them all as time permits.

Wanted, correspondence in pictorial post cards in longhand with all parts of the world. Apply A. C. Coker, Box 28, New Plymouth, New Zealand. [36] Pictorial post cards. Exchange wanted, any country. Prompt replies. Views preferred. William Barnes, Midland cottages, Wombwell, nr. Barnsley, England. [36] Pictorial post card correspondence desired. Good views only. Prompt replies. J. Howard,* Chase Heys, Churchtown, Southport.

Pictorial post cards. Correspondence desired in longhand or shorthand. Replies to all. J. Stewart, 11 Cavendish st., Lancaster.

Pictorial post cards.-Correspondence desired (longhand or shorthand;. John E. Stokes (Beira and Mashonaland Railways), Umtali, Mashonaland, Rhodesia, Africa.

Pictorial post cards.

Exchange desired, longhand or shorthand. William H. Phillips, Hillside villas, Kidsgrove, Staff.

Pictorial post card correspondence desired, shorthand or longhand; coloured views preferred. Geo. H. Piper, 54 Wendron st., Helston, Cornwall.

Pictorial post cards. Several thousands of mixed stamps given for best card received. Tom Newton, 13 Selbourne terr., Darlington. Correspondence desired.-Picture post cards, Phonography or French. Prompt replies. Harry Gould, 20 Beaconsfield rd., Magdalen rd., Norwich.

[36]

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 evering 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 3s 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. (44)

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. [44] 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.

143] Gentleman in good position, having leisure at his disposal, would gratuitously ur dertake 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. [36]

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 conduotor. 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. Samples for id. Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd. [x] 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, S.E. Second-hand Books, Shorthand or Phonetic. for Sale, or Exchange, or Wanted, id. per line of ten words: Miscellaneous Books, 3d. per line. Wanted, nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, vol. 61; Phonetic Journal. Sir I. Pitman and Sons, Ltd., Amen Corner, London, EC.

[43]

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 Unior. square, New York, U.S.A. [39]

Wanted, Stephens's Commentaries, 12th edition; and for sale, Student's Blackstone (Commentaries), last edition, 4s 6d, post-free. Frearson, Syston, Leicester.

What offers? Vol. 2 With the Flag to Pretoria, publishers' cases, quite new. J. Howard, Chase Heys, Churchtown, Southport. (36]

For sale, Gasc's French Dictionary, latest edition, quite new, 7s 6d, or near offer. A. Culley, 83 Kenbury st., Camberwell, London, S.E. 36] 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. [36]

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," 35. 6d. These Books can be Students obtained of 11 Booksellers, or from the Publishers. 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 68. 6d. per year, payable in advance. Subscriptions may commence with any number. Monthly parts, 5d., post-free 7d.; terms of subscription same as above.

THE COPYING OFFICE CLERK.

The worker in a busy copying office in an active commercial centre does not find his post a bed of roses. Occasionally there are intervals when the general pressure is for a time relaxed, and sometimes there are hours of actual idleness. But these are few, are seldom of long duration, and are always uncertain of cccurrence. As a rule, the patrons of the copying office require their work executed in the smallest possible space of time. Many of them seem to think that a long document, hurriedly written, difficult to read, full of strange technicalities and stranger abbreviations, can be typed as easily and as rapidly as one can copy the clearest and simplest print, or that intricate tabulated matter, with columns of figures, mathematical formulæ, and a highly specialized phraseology, can be reproduced with no more difficulty than one could type an ordinary business letter.

While one is glancing through a troublesome manuscript of which two or three copies are wanted immediately, a client enters breathlessly, who desires to dictate at his top speed a report of an interview that he has just had with an electrical engineer with reference to the arrangements for an important installation of the electric light in a large newly-erected warehouse. His cab is waiting outside, and he wishes his report taken down at once by the speediest shorthand writer in the office, and neatly typed and delivered at his own place of business ready for his signature in half-an-hour, by which time he expects to be back after attending another appointment for which he is now nearly due.

He is a valuable client and must be obliged. While he is dictating, the telephone bell rings, and a request comes over the wire for a skilful shorthand clerk to be despatched at once to a neighbouring firm of solicitors, to take down a brief which has to go to counsel the same day in reference to an urgent motion that will come on in court next morning. Who shall be sent ? The decision must be made promptly. Sometimes it is no easy matter to spare anybody at the moment. Is there any work in hand that can be postponed? If there is, postponed it must be, and the best shorthand clerk available must be sent at once in response to the solicitor's demand. A solicitor's clerk calls in with some long affidavits to be typed immediately, an architect sends a specification, a mining report arrives for copying. The work is distributed: expert shorthand writers dictate to typists, expert typists tap at a terrific pace on their machines, and throughout the establishment there is the buzz of business. And often in the evening when closing time draws nigh, and the staff are anticipating a quiet evening at home, a messenger walks in with a batch of work required to be delivered fully typed the first thing next morning. No selfrespecting office refuses work, and the task, unwelcome though it be, must be accomplished. And accomplished it is, though all the arrangements for the evening have to be hastily and completely abandoned.

The characteristics of work in a copying office are its great variety, its uncertainty, its demands on the skill and knowledge of the workers, and the hurry with which it has to be performed. The shorthand clerk in an ordinary house of business soon gets accustomed to the peculiarities of the few men from whom he has to receive dictation. He comes to understand and know their phraseology, and adapts himself to it. But the copying office worker has to be prepared for dictators of all kinds, and for technicalities of every description. He needs a high standard of knowledge, a high degree of skill, and an alertness and a readiness of resource that would serve him well in many a more important calling. His ability scarcely receives from the public at large the recognition that it merits.

Mr G. Brown, F.I.P.S, F.Inc. S.T., has removed to 77 Kimbolton avenue, Nottingham. We regret that by an error in printing the name of the town was wrongly given in our issue of 22nd Aug.

A new and attractive prospectus of Watson's Evening Commercial Classes, Charterhouse lane (off King street), Perth, has just been issued, in which the Principal, Mr J. J. Watson (F.Inc. S.T. and Society of Arts medallist), and Secretary, Mr C. Davidson (A.Inc.S.T.), announce that for the re-opening of their classes on Monday next for the coming session they have found it necessary to secure larger premises. Classes are arranged for nightly (Saturdays excepted), in shorthand, book-keeping, typewriting, commercial arithmetic, handwriting, etc. Arrangements can be made for local students to enter for the Society of Arts or any other commercial examinations.

Mr Arthur G. Janes, M.I.P.S., Instructor Technical Schools, desires to notify that his address is now 137 West End road, High Wycombe.

Mr Harry Lee, F.Inc.S.T., requests correspondents to note that he has removed from Bradford, and that his address is now 162 Devonshire street, Keighley.

The report of the Committee on Variant Spellings, giving a list of preferred spellings in A, has been issued by Dr Hamilton (chairman) and Mr C. G. Fraser (secretary), Toronto.

The Sir Isaac Pitman medals offered in connection with the shorthand examinations conducted under the auspices of the Yorkshire Union of Institutes, have been awarded as follows: Silver medal, Norman Kaye, Huddersfield Technical College; Bronze medal, Thomas H. Crowther, Huddersfield Technical College.

A new prospectus has reached us of Robertson's Business Training College, 23 Carlton place, Glasgow. In giving particulars regarding the various branches of commercial education treated in the College, some helpful hints are furnished which are worthy of the particular attention of parents and guardians. A special Business Course forms a notable feature in the curriculum, which is comprehensive and thoroughly up-to-date.

The Book-Keeper (Detroit, Mich.) announces: "In our September number we will publish the first of a series of ten articles on shorthand contributed by Isaac Pitman and Sons. These articles will furnish complete instruction in elementary shorthand, a knowledge of which is essential to all who desire to become expert in this valuable accomplishment. The many thousands of our readers who understand the importance of stenography in all departments of business life, will doubtless fully appreciate these carefully-prepared lessons."

During the next session of the Commercial Department Evening Classes of the Brighton Municipal School of Science and Technology, Richmond terrace, the shorthand master, Mr V. W. E. Brooks, F.I.P.S., will deliver a series of special lectures on certain advanced principles of Pitman's Shorthand to members of the advanced and reporting classes. In this series phraseology and vocalization will be among the subjects to which the lecturer will pay special attention. At the close of each lecture an opportunity will be afforded for students to raise any doubtful points. The lectures should prove a healthy stimulus to efficiency in advanced shorthand practice.

Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., have arranged for an exhibit of their shorthand and other commercial publications to be shown at the Conference of the Incorporated Phonographic Society, to be held at the St George's Hotel, Lime street, Liverpool, on Saturday, 26th September, and they cordially invite teachers and other visitors to the Conference to examine the latest aids to the teaching of shorthand and other commercial subjects. The exhibit will be in charge of their representative, Mr J. Hynes, of Manchester, and every facility will be afforded for an examination of any of the books exhibited.

TYPEWRITING NOTES.

It is stated that sundry typewriters are to be seen in the joss houses in the San Francisco Chinese quarter, though they are not there for use, but have been presented by the devout Celestials to the idols. The machines are purchased as gifts, not because there is any idea that they will be used, but because they are expensive, and look odd.

The Oliver typewriter was shown at the recent Colliery Exhibition at the Agricultural Hall, Islington.

A stock complaint that reaches the typewriter manufacturers-particularly from new users-is that the punctuation marks are too sharp and pierce the paper. It does not, apparently, occur to the operators who make such complaints that the fault is not with the machine, but with the manipulation. The punctuation marks, however blunt they were made, would always pierce the paper if enough force were used. The thing to do is, obviously, to use less force with the punctuation mark keys.

The Yost Typewriter Co., Ltd., are exhibiting, at their head offices in Holborn Viaduct, London, E.C., a series of cartoons, designed by Mr Jim Affleck, illustrative of their machine, which have attracted considerable attention. The cartoon shown during the last week in August was especially effective. It represented a school room, in which was seated an exaggerated school boy, attired in Eton clothes, working the Yost_typewriter. The title of the picture was:-" A Pleasant Punishment," and the legend below read:-" How Jones Minor does his imposition. N.B.-The Yost typewriter is now largely used in colleges and schools throughout the country."

the "

It is a great mistake for the shorthand-typist to regard twin arts "" as the be-all and do-all of his existence. They should be regarded as means to an end-a complete knowledge of the business in which he or she is engaged. The stenographer becomes of value to his employer, not merely for progress in shorthand and typewriting, but for general acquaintance with details. The male clerk ought to look forward to a time when he will leave shorthand and typewriting altogether behind him, and be entrusted with more important work. As shorthand-typist he is merely a link in the expression of ideas-practically the hand of the brain that dictates. He should strive to become the brain himself The woman operator cannot, perhaps, look forward to obtaining a commanding position in a business office, but she can make herself useful in a thousand and one ways outside shorthand and typewriting, and the more service she can render, the more certain her tenure will be.

Apropos of the troubles of a typewriter repairer a correspondent of the Typewriter and Phonographic World (New York) contributes the following experience: Several years ago I was in an Ohio town where an enterprising threemonths-course business college was located. One of its graduates, a really bright boy, had secured a position as book-keeper and typewriter in an egg-packing establishment. One day the manager telephoned me to come over and see what was the matter with the office typewriter. To make a long story short, the boy got for me the bottle from which he had been thoroughly oiling the machine in every joint,' with the result that still she won't work.' I handed the bottle to the manager, and asked if he knew what it contained; I did not. He just sniffed it once, looked disgusted,

and with a murderous look at the boy replied, 'carriage varnish' I positively declined the job of cleaning up the machine, as I had not any too much time to spare; but that boy tussled with kerosene and old rags after office hours many days afterwards.''

A cricket match between two elevens of the Densmore Typewriter Co. and the Oliver Typewriter Co. was played at Wadham Lodge last month. On the first innings the Densmore C.C. won by 160 runs with four wickets to spare.

TYPEWRITTEN COPIES IN COURT.

Complaints have been made before now by counsel and judges at being handed carbon copies of documents produced by typewriting on flimsy." These are very difficult to read, especially in the imperfect light that often prevails in

the Law Courts, and they should not be used in any case for court work. Mr Justice Byrne, just before rising for the vacation, marked his disapproval of the manner in which certain copies presented to him in court had been typewritten, by taking the serious step of disallowing one-third of the costs of the copy. He pointed out that the copy was typewritten on such thin paper that the letters on the second page were visible through the first page. Mr Justice Byrne announced at the same time that in future he should disallow all the costs of documents written on similar paper. The rules of court prescribe the kind and quality and weight of paper on which documents are to be written, and although this requirement is not strictly insisted on, and cannot be strictly insisted on in all cases, there is a limit beyond which the indulgence of the courts will not be extended. It is well to bear this fact in mind. All copies for use in court, whether by counsel or the judge, should be typewritten on paper that is at all events opaque.

CIVIL SERVICE NOTES.

BY A CIVIL SERVANT.

The Postmaster General has appointed a Committee, consisting of Sir Edward Bradford, Bart. (Chairman), and Messrs Charles Booth, F.R.S., Samuel Fay, Thomas Brodrick, and R. Burbridge," to enquire into the scales of pay received by the undermentioned established officers of the Post Office, and to report whether, having regard to the conditions of their employment and to the rates current to other occupations, the remuneration of postmen, sorters (London), telegraphists (London), and sorting clerks and telegraphists (Provincial) is adequate."

There is one rather important announcement just made, viz: an examination for 35 appointments as Female Sorters, the last day for receiving applications to sit being 8th Oct. The age limits are 15-18. All candidates must be at least five feet in height, and unmarried or widows. The examination fee is 2s. 6d., and the subjects are (1) Reading and Copying MS.; (2) Writing; (3) Spelling; (4) Arithmetic (first four rules, simple and compound, including English weights and measures, reduction); (5) Geography of the United Kingdom. The competition is always severe, and there will probably be about 400 candidates for the ensuing examination.

Female Sorters have nothing to do with letter or parcel sorting these are exclusively the work of the male staff-but are employed in the Chief Offices of the Savings Bank (Kensington), the Postal Order Branch, and the Money Order Office, and, as their name implies, they sort and have charge of official papers and documents. They serve eight hours daily, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and are paid 12s., rising is. a week annually to 14s., thence by Is. 6d. annually to 21s. 6d., and on obtaining a special certificate of ability and conduct, to 30s. a week.

NATIONAL UNION OF TEACHERS.

RESULTS OF COMMERCIAL EXAMINATIONS. The results of the examination in commercial subjects, conducted by the Examinations Board of the National Union of Teachers in April and May, afford a proof of the growing interest in this important side of educational work. The numbers entered for the examinations have risen from 2,900 in 1902 to 4,050 in 1903, which constitutes the largest increase since 1897, the year in which the first edition of the syllabus was issued. One remarkable feature in this year's figures is the fact that the entries at the centres in India were three times as great as in 1902. The course in English for foreign centres continues to attract the attention of the teachers on

the Continent. Book-keeping and shorthand still maintain their position as the favourite subjects. The increase in the number of students taking German is very gratifying, while the entries in typewriting have more than doubled. The reports of the examiners show that, generally speaking, the quality of the work sent in is considerably higher than last year, this being particularly the case in book-keeping, German, and shorthand. The silver and bronze medals offered in connection with these examinations have been awarded as follows:

Commercial Arithmetic.-Silver, W. H. Farrar, Technical School, Todmorden. Bronze, H. Thomas, Chippenham County School.

Book-keeping.-Silver, T. Gordon, and Bronze, H. Isaacs, both Y.M.C.A., Liverpool.

Commercial Correspondence.-Bronze, A. Turner, Coatbridge Evening School of Commerce.

Domestic Economy.-Bronze, Miss J. Carling, Higher Grade School, Regent street, Plymouth.

English.-Silver, Miss I. Fowkes, and Bronze, Miss F. Tetley, both Dooresele College, Ghent.

French.-Silver, S. W. Burns. Bronze, Miss V. F. Hibberd, E.C. School, Barrett street, London, W.

German.-Silver, W. H. Lucas, and Bronze, Miss A. Gittins, both Pitman's Metropolitan School.

Manual Training.-Silver, R. Smith, Deptford Park, E.C. School, Deptford.

Shorthand (160 words a minute).-N.U.T. Silver, M. R. Powell, Technical School, Oswaldtwistle. Pitman's Silver and N.U.T. Bronze, R. J. Garwood, and Pitman's Bronze, E. G. Kimber, both Cusack Institute, Moorfields.

Typewriting.-Silver, Miss V. F. Jones, Pitman's Metropolitan School. Bronze, F. Morgan, Cusack Institute, Moorfields.

The London School Board have decided to award prizes to students gaining a first-class advanced in certain subjects.

CORRESPONDENCE.

SHORTHAND WRITERS-A SUGGESTION.

Sir, In making applications for clerkships, to my mind the oft used terms of "I know shorthand,' etc., do not appear to carry much weight with them. I would suggest that if, in addition to the certificates already granted, a degree could be instituted for those who can report at some speed to be agreed on, this difficulty would be overcome. To sign oneself, John Jones, E.S. (expert stenographer), or something equivalent, would seem something more definite. Again, when writing letters, business or otherwise, the initialswhere you have no occasion to state this-would in a polite way make known one's ability, and perchance lead to an opening which would otherwise have remained closed. X. Y. Z.

REVIEWS.

Select Readings, No. 2, in the Corresponding Style. Fcap. 8vo. price 6d. Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd.

This is a new book of interesting readings in the Corresponding Style of Twentieth Century Phonography, including selections in engraved shorthand from De Quincey, Dana, Addison, Bulwer Lytton, Dickens, and Kingsley. With the companion work, Select Readings, No. 1, it furnishes the young phonographic student with excellent reading practice.

Gleanings, No. 1, in the Reporting Style. Fcap. 8vo, price 6d. Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd.

The "Gleanings" comprised in this book include some well-known essays by the late Mr T. A. Reed and Mr J. I. Scott, which have not been accessible to phonographers for some time past, but are well worth the attentive perusal of all young phonographers. The titles will indicate the character of the essays, they are: "Reporting as a Mental Exercise," Sound and Sense," "Shorthand Writers and Reporters," "Qualifications for a Reporter," "Hearing and Mis-hearing.' The essays are in engraved shorthand, Reporting Style, with longhand key at the foot of each page, and the book is therefore well adapted for dictation practice.

OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY.

MR C. H. KIRTON, F.I.P.S.

Mr Kirton is an active and enthusiastic member of the committee of the Typists' Section of the I.P.S. and of the Typists' Examining Board in connection with that section, an experienced teacher of shorthand and typewriting, and in the opinion of those who have had good opportunities of observing him, a man of much ability and promise.

He is a native of Saxilby, a village of 1,100 inhabitants six miles distant from Lincoln, and was born on 9th August, 1872. As a boy he was a voracious reader, and between the ages of ten and fourteen exhausted almost the entire contents

accepted. One of his juvenile reports, a column and a half of matter, was of a political speech by the M.P. for the Division, made from longhand notes, for the boy as yet had not begun to learn shorthand, and it was inserted without the alteration of a single word.

At the age of fourteen Mr Kirton was apprenticed as a pupil teacher in the village National School. He was given a class from the first, and such was the pressure of the then-prevailing system of individual examination of scholars by the Government Inspectors that country pupil teachers had always to be sacrificed for the school work. Consequently, during his apprenticeship he could receive little real instruction, and the subjects that he did master in that period were acquired through what Smiles terms "self-help."

In 1890 his apprenticeship ended, severing at the same time his connection with the county paper. He was then eighteen years of age, and went to London as an ex-pupil teacher, first to the Boutcher School in Bermondsey, and afterwards to the National Schools at Barking. While at the last named schools he heard of the free classes that had been started in Phonography for the instruction of teachers. It was partly because he had never abandoned the old idea of becoming a reporter, that he applied for and obtained permission to attend these classes. But they were held too far away from his home, and after about three attendances he found himself reluctantly compelled to give up the classes. This, however, did not mean discontinuing the study of the subject, for working for a time with a friend, and subsequently alone, he went on with it, until an unexpected interruption occurred. A prospect offered of his going to college, and everything else had to be relinquished for the task of preparation. A class of 120 boys had to be taught in the day time; and the evenings, and the early mornings too, were filled with eager study. For upwards of twelve months the evening work was continued, perhaps unwisely, till three o'clock in the morning on non-class nights, and till midnight on those nights when class had been attended. In January, 1893, he entered St Mark's Training College, Chelsea, as a First-class Queen's Scholar. After six months he sat for the Matriculation examination of the London University but failed in Latin. By working up this subject in spare time, he was enabled the following January to sit as a "private study"

In his thirteenth year he received as a school prize a bound volume of "Young England"-a periodical which he afterwards bought regularly in monthly parts. In his prize there appeared a series of articles on "Reporting," and this attracted his attention. One result of reading them was to fill him with an intense anxiety to become a reporter; another was to create a feeling of grave doubt as to how he could possibly equip himself with all the branches of knowledge the author of the articles seemed to consider indispensable for such a calling. Latin and Greek, French and shorthand, were all, he gathered, equally necessary accomplishments for the reporter! However, he forthwith applied for a local correspondentship on the county paper, and was