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Correspondence desired with phonographers all over the world (in Corresponding Style). Geo. Hewitt, 30 Raby st., Moss Side, Manchester, England.

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

T. N. Rama Swamy, M.R. Fort, Mysore, India, wants literary correspondents abroad.

Correspondence desired.-Picture post cards, Phonography or French. Prompt replies. Harry Gould, 20 Beaconsfield road, Magdalen road, Norwich.

Correspondence by picture post card invited; replies to all. D. Webster, 5 Albion st., Morley, Leeds. 137]

Wanted, correspondence in pictorial post cards in longhand with all parts of the world. Apply A. C. Coker, Box 28, New Plymouth, New Zealand,

Pictorial post cards. Correspondence desired in longhand or shorthand. Replies to all. A. Dewar, 7 Broomhall st., Kinning park, Glasgow. Pictorial post cards. Exchange wanted, a y country. Prompt replies. Views preferred. William Barnes, Midland cottages, Wombwell, nr. Barnsley, England.

Pictorial post card correspondence desired; longhand. Replies to all. Miss L. Matthews, Union lane, St Albans.

Pictorial post cards for exchange; longhand. Miss Earley, 24 Market place, St Albans, Herts.

Picture post cards exchanged (Tuck's cards), also foreign. Prompt replies. Fred Bean, 164 Loughborough pk., Brixton, London, S.W. (38] Exchange of pictorial cards desired. Home or abroad. Architecture and landscape, stating commencing and finishing dates, cost and capacity of former where possible. W. G. Davis, 30 Fentham road, Birchfield, Birmingham.

[37] Pictorial post cards. Shorthand or longhand correspondence. Home or abroad. L., 50 River road, Littlehampton.

Shorthand correspondence desired with phonographers in all parts of the world on picture post cards, views only, prompt replies. Henry W. Braithwaite, 2 Gertrude st., Chelsea, London, England. (37) Pictorial shorthand post cards. Advertiser will send free, series unique design, beautifully coloured. Miss Harvey, Macroom, Baxter avenue, Southend.

Spanish correspondence (longhand) wanted for mutual advantage. Pictorial post cards exchanged with native. M., 199 Saint Vincent st., Ladywood, Birmingham.

Associations. 1d. 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 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. [43] 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.

Evercirculators and Libraries. 1d. per line of ten words.

An evercirculator is a manuscript phonographic magazine, consisting of articles written by the individual members, one member acting as conductor. The book passes round, and each round members contribute an article and remarks, or take part in the discussion. A leaflet containing further particulars forwarded from the Phonetic Institute, Bath, on receipt of id stamp. [x] Evercirculator paper in three varieties, of superior quality, five quires Is 6d; headings and title-pages, 3d per doz. ; covers, cloth is, leather is 6d. Samples for id. Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd. [x] The Rev. J. Thomas, of 15 Morton crescent, Exmouth, undertakes the careful review of evercirculators free of all charge except cost of return postage. 40]

Wanted, members (ladies or gentlemen) for the Burns Evercirculator. Rare opportunity for juniors or seniors. Mutual improvement in style, grammar, and composition. Stories, essays, sketches, discussions, etc. Entrance6d; no subscription. Particulars, stamp. William Jamieson,* 14 Rennie st., Kilmarnock, N.B.

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. [431

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 short

hand 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. [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]

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.

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

For sale, Gasc's French Dictionary, latest edition, quite new, 7s 6d, or near offer. A. Culley, 83 Kenbury st., Camberwell, London, S E. For sale, 6 vols. Phonographic Pulpit, bound, as good as new. What offers? A. T. Eyre, 14 Hinckley rd., Leicester.

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Reporter's Companion, cloth, 863; Phrase Book, 1864; Questions on Manual, 1863; offers wanted. 12 Reporters' Magazines, sewn in volume, Is 9d free; 4s magazines, etc., is free. Rayner, 678 Shawforth, Rochdale. Wanted, nos. 30 and 43 vol. 60, and no. 26 vol. 6, Phonetic Journal. For sale at half published prices: Skerry's Geography, 2s; Gill's Imperial Geography, 2s 6d; Ransome's English History, 3s 6d; Todhunter's Mensuration, 2s 6d; West's English Grammar, 25 6d; Tales from Dickens (shorthand), is 6d; Euclid Books, 1 to 4, 3s; Hall and Knight's Elementary Algebra, 2s 6d; ditto Arithmetic Exs. with Ans., 2s 6d; Pitman's Commercial Geography, 2s 6d; Barnard Smith's Arithmetic with Ans., 4s 6d; Parker Fountain Pen, ros 6d; Modern Geography, by William Hughes, 3s 6d. Remittances accepted in different unused foreign stamps. E. Schwab, Kirkgate, Wakefield."

Wanted, used English stamps in exchange for shorthand magazines and volumes, English and American. Geo. Birtwhistle, 7 Gainsborough rd., Liverpool.

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Reporter, is Id; Manual, 9d; Teacher, 3d; Vicar of Wakefield, is 2d; Handbook for Teachers, is id; Phonography in the Office, gd; Book of Psalms, 7d; Phrase Book, 6d; Progressive Studies, 6d; Self-Culture, 6d; Reporting Exercises, 3d; Key. 6d; Easy Readings, 3d; Shorthand Reader, 3d; Æsop's Fables, 3d; all post-free. W. A. Foyle, 13 Fairbank st., East rd., London, N.

Several vols. Pitman's Shorthand Weekly, unbound, clean, and perfect, also law books, cheap. R. Tose, Ingramgate, Thirsk. [37]

What offers for vols. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 Pitman's Shorthand Weekly, also vol. 19 Reporters' Magazine; all unbound. Wilson Town, 81 Lodge lane, Beeston hill, Leeds.

For sale, Pitman's Commercial Correspondence (English, French, German), is 3d each; quite new. A. Culley, 83 Kenbury st., Camberwell, London, S.E.

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For sale, Teacher, 3d; 2 Manuals, 9d each; Reporter, cloth, is 3d; 2 Keys to Reporting Exercises, 6d each; Æsop's Fables, 3d: Speed Practice Book and Key, 2d; Reporting Grammalogues, Acquisition of Speed, and Morley's Eulogy on Gladstone (Shorthand), 3d; Swiftograph. 9d; Swifthand, 6d. Albert Palliser, 36 Columbus Ravine, Scarborough. For sale shorthand edition of the New Testament, unbound, 5s. postfree. H. Cawood, 20 Fmerald st., York.

For sale, surplus books. Pitman's Handbook for Shortband Teachers. Manual of Phonography, Progressive Studies in Phonography, Shorthand Speed Work, by McGarrey (new), Graduated Shorthand Dictation Book, Sermons, Key to same, Key to Graduated Dictation Book, Political (new), Standard Sentence Exercises, 4 Shorthand Gradus, 3 Exercises in Phonography, Pitman's German Grammar, German Business Letters, German Conversational Sentences, Gasc's First French Book, Pitman's French Business Letters. All the 20 books (published price 12s) for 5s 6d postfree, or nearest offer. W. E. Withers, 5 Knight st.. Lincoln. For sale. 20 Phonetic Journals, 1903, Is. Apply M. M., 149 Moor st, Birmingham.

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One of the lessons of history is that the world has never been without its prophets of evil. The annals of shorthand, and of shorthand writing, show that the craft of the rapid penman has received its full share of attention from the announcers of coming disaster. Over and over again have we been assured with the utmost confidence that the days of the shorthand writer were numbered. Some stenographic machine, reporting machine, phonograph, or other marvellous contrivance was about to enable the world to get through its work without the aid of the human scribe. Even the typewriter was declared to be a dangerous rival of shorthand. Men were to dictate direct to the typist, who was imagined to be able to transcribe on the writing machine with a rapidity equal to that of speech. These predictions have one and all been falsified. They were, everyone of them, without exception, put forth by people who were unaware of the real conditions of the problem, and particularly unaware of the enormous part that the human mind plays in shorthand work of all descriptions. Ingenious reporting machines, some with key-boards like those of the pianoforte, have come and gone, but the demand for the shorthand writer has grown with ever-accelerating speed. The typewriter has proved to be an adjunct in the process rather than a foe, for the increase in the employment of the writing machine has meant everywhere an increase in the demand for shorthand. The two arts have developed side by side, and it has long been popular to call them

twins. The machine that can do the work of the shorthand writer has not been invented, and we need not fear its early appearance.

But we have the alarmists with us, and it is necessary to warn the young and inexperienced against them. Elder members of the shorthand fraternity need no warning. The other day another of those startling inventions with which the name of Mr Edison is associated, was announced by certain of the newspapers. The principles of the phonograph and of the typewriter are proposed to be utilized together in a novel way. Within a day or two after this announcement an anony. mous correspondent wrote and sent to the press one of those sensational epistles that the panic-monger seems to produce with such facility. The new invention, forsooth, was to drive all the writing machines off the market! It was to supersede the shorthand clerk altogether, and presumably also the typist! And then the scribe went on to affirm that some typists were already contemplating a "stampede" to other employ

ments.

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Frankly, we are incredulous about that stampede. One or two weak-minded individuals may have felt a little genuine alarm about the future of their chosen occupation; but a small amount of reflection would have reassured them. We are quite satisfied that the alarm, if it existed at all, was confined to one or two. We see no symptoms of its having infected any considerable body of typists. To talk of a contemplated stampede " " is a violent misuse of language. Except for very elementary purposes, nothing in the nature of the phonograph, or that depends on any contrivance similar to that of a phonograph, can possibly take the place of shorthand. Nobody who has had experience of the precise manner in which most of the dictation that falls to the lot of the shorthand writer is given, and who realizes exactly the character of the work that the shorthand writer bas, in the majority of cases, to undertake when writing from dictation, will entertain any serious fear of the successful competition of a merely mechanical contrivance. The world wants shorthand and typewriting, and it wants the shorthand writer and the typist in increasing numbers. That demand, which has grown so remarkably of late, will continue to grow when the "inventions" of which the panic-mongers make so much, and with which they seek to alarm us, have passed away, and reached a peaceful resting place in the realms of the forgotten.

The students attending "Oliver Goldsmith" Evening Continuation School, Peckham road, Camberwell, London, S E., received 6,oco hours' instruction in shorthand in the session 1902-3. A total of 101 pupils received over 14 hours' instruction; three obtained certificates for 110 words per minute; 10 passed the Society of Arts examination in Grade 2 and 11 in Grade 1; one obtained advanced honours in the National Union of Teachers' examination.

As the result of the examination held at the Manchester Central Commercial School, Whitworth street, in July, the following awards have been made: Pitman silver medal, Mr Orlando Oldham; bronze medal, Mr Hedley Lucas.

Mr Anthony Morris, F.Inc. S.T., has removed to Ronald road, Darnall, Sheffield, where he will continue the teaching of shorthand, typewriting, and modern business methods. His private classes at 140 Steade road, Sharrow, will be continued during the winter months.

We have received a copy of the first number of a new annual, entitled "Handbook of the Incorporated Society of Shorthand Teachers," which makes its appearance very opportunely at the beginning of the teaching season. The Handbook contains complete information relative to the operations of the Society, with a complete list of names and addresses. A statement is also furnished of the advantages of the Society, there are reduced facsimiles of the certificates, and a table affording information relative to the ten annual conferences.

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To phonographers who are familiar with the following note from the Daily Chronicle will be read with interest. Our contemporary remarks: "To most writers it has happened that what was set down in jest has been taken in earnest. correspondent asks whether there is not a need for 'a punctuation mark to denote a passage written in a light-hearted or laughing vein.' A 'vertical wavy' line, to indicate 'shaking with laughter is suggested, and a specimen is supplied which our present resources cannot reproduce. It might aptly be termed a 'grin,' continues our correspondent, who does not realize the awful seriousness of a linotype machine."

As usual the examiners' reports on the results of the I.P.S. Teacher's Examination, held last July, reveal on the part of a certain proportion of the candidates an incapacity to read clearly lithographed Phonography, and a stupid propensity to write the most obvious nonsense. Some of the newspapers have made merry over these mistakes under the heading "The Shorthand Fiend Again." A reference to "craftsmen who "work in leather and steel," got transformed into a reference to craftsmen who "work in leisure and steal;" "pack-horses crossing a massive stone bridge appeared in transcript as 'pack-horses caressing a massive stone bridge." How is it that candidates who make these absurd mistakes expect to receive certificates of their fitness to instruct others?

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The Birmingham School of Shorthand and Typewriting, recently conducted by Mr W. G. Barker, F.I.P.S., and also the Herald Commercial School, lately carried on by Mr J. Gripton (teacher's diploma), F.Inc.S.T., have been taken over by the Birmingham Civil Service College and School for Commercial Education, 23, 24, 25 and 26 Lincoln's Inn, Corporation street, Birmingham, the Principals of which are Mr L. J. Haddock, B.A., and Mr J. Gripton. The College is equipped with electric light in all the rooms. The subjects taught are shorthand, typewriting, book-keeping, languages (native teachers), business routine, and all subjects necessary for University, Civil Service, College of Preceptors, Society of Arts, and other examinations. Special classes are now being formed for shorthand speed practice.

In various parts of the British Empire beyond the seas a great deal has been heard of late about a "system" of shorthand for which wonderful things are claimed. When we first heard of it, the "system" was being lavishly advertised in Australia as the " New Shorthand," but the leading organs of the Australian Press did not hesitate to denounce it and the methods employed by its promoters in the strongest terms. Soon afterwards the "New Shorthand introduced to Cape Colony-where its claims were vigorously refuted by local phonographers. Now it makes its appearance

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Mr Justice Byrne's action in disallowing one-third of the cost of certain typewritten copies presented to him in court on the ground that they were written on thin paper, has been freely discussed in typewriting circles. For some reason or other there has always existed an impression that typewriting requires thin paper. There is, of course, no truth in this idea. Typewriting looks a great deal better when done on paper of medium thickness. Not only is thin paper objectionable on the ground that the writing on a lower sheet appears through on an upper sheet, but leaving that altogether out of the question, the appearance of writing on medium paper is superior. This is probably due to the fact that a medium paper gives a softer foundation for the type to strike upon. It is well known that a soft cylinder produces better work than a hard cylinder, and a piece of medium or thick paper, of course, makes the foundation comparatively soft. Many firms use thin paper for typewriting, we imagine, because it is a convenience to have only one kind of typewriting paper, and a thin paper is necessary, of course, for carbon work. Probably, however, the chief reason for using thin paper is that thin paper is cheaper than medium or thick paper, and that it is easier to make a typewriting hand-made paper in thin sheets than in thick sheets.

A correspondent asks us how the words in typewritten matter should be counted. There are two or three possible ways. The first is to use a word counter. This for some obscure reason is not generally done. Word-counters are rarely used in copying offices. The second course is to count each word separately. This, again, is rarely done because of the time it takes. The third course is to estimate, and as a matter of fact, a careful estimate will very closely approximate to the actual number of words. An estimate should be based upon the following computation: a full line of typewriting on a foolscap machine contains 75 characters, and averages twelve words. For every multiple of five allowed to the margin subtract one word. The average number of lines to a page on an ordinary quarto sheet at double spacing (8 x 11) is 27. An ordinary quarto sheet with the usual five margin, contains on the average about 300 words, or where paragraphs are short, about 275, say four folios. Computations can easily be made for foolscap sheets by ascertaining how many lines of writing there are.

A lady contributor in T. P.'s Weekly deals further with the question of the alleged overcrowding of the shorthand and typewriting industry. She says: "I had an amusing confirmation a few days ago of my statement in a recent article that uneducated girls were overcrowding the market for shorthand and typewriting clerks. I got into chat in one of our public parks with a nice young girl, a nursemaid, who was looking after three children. I became interested in the skilful mothering of the girl, not many years distant from childhood herself-fifteen. I asked her questions about her charges, and complimented her on having fallen into a groove for which she was evidently suited. I was always fond of children,' she answered, but my mother was against my

coming out. She wanted me to learn the typewriting business when I left school last year. I was in the sixth standard.''

There is no doubt whatever that the foolish conception of the qualifications necessary for success in shorthand and typewriting is very wide of the mark. It is not the shorthand and typewriting that is wanted as the final object in view. It is general intelligence and business ability, and the shorthand and typewriting, even in the shorthand writer and typist, are only means to that end. Without intelligence and general education shorthand and typewriting are absolutely misplaced.

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The Yost typewriter has been brought into great prominence in connection with the use of that machine in the musical play of "The Schoolgirl," now running at the Prince of Wales's Theatre, and in the provinces. Apart from the machine being used at every performance by the lady who fills the title rôle, a full-page photograph of Miss Edna May working the Yost has appeared in The King and his Navy and Army," and has been issued as a special supplement to the Onlooker, while, in No. 2 of the Stage Souvenir Schoolgirl" number, a fine art illustrated monthly, each issue of which is devoted to a full description of a current play, not only is there a full-page special photographic supplement of the popular actress sitting at the machine, but numerous smaller pictures showing the prominent part accorded to the Yost in the piece. There has also been an issue of several hundred thousand fine art post cards with similar pictures by the Rotary Photographic Company, Ltd., who are official photographers to the theatre, and these may be purchased from any stationer.

A Stafford correspondent who visited the Derby Museum recently, writes that he found most of the specimens labelled with typewritten tickets. In a case of coins and medals immediately under a window, where the sun poured in with much power, the writing on the ticket was nearly all faded away. It had only been written about four months, and just at the side of the same window, but in the shade, a similar ticket, written more than twelve months before, displayed its wording with a pleasing freshness. He is of opinion that both the tickets were written with a black record ribbon, and expresses the hope that something nearer perfection in the direction of permanency may be attained to. Our correspondent is, we are certain, mistaken in supposing that the faded inscription was written with a record ribbon. We have in the office of this Journal inscriptions typed with a black record ribbon which have been fully exposed to the sunlight and air for years, and are to-day as black as when typed. Side by side were inscriptions typed with a purple ribbon, which have entirely vanished. But the purple copying ribbon must be given its due. We have copies made from matter typed with it in our letter books which are as deep and clear as when made fifteen years ago.

INCORPORATED PHONOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.

LONDON.

On the evenings of Thursdays, the 20th and 27th August, dictation practice and discussions on cutlines made up the program at the Arcadian meetings, the attendances at which were fairly good. The following program has been arranged for the next three evenirgs in September:

Sept. 10-Speed Practice, 7 to 8.15; Lecture, Mr S. A. Tanner on "Liquor Traffic Reform," 8.15 p.m.

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17.-Speed Practice, 7 to 8.15; Lecture, "Poverty and Inefficiency," Rev. J. E. Hand, 8.15 pm.

24.-Quarterly examination for speed certificates and for I.P.S. Fellowship (140 words per minute), 7 p.m.

Phonographers may join any Thursday between 7 and 8 o'clock, and those joining during September will be put on the same footing as members joining at the beginning if October so far as regards subscription.

Cories of the winter program may be had from Mr H. J. Cork (Secretary), 2 Reedholm road, Stoke Newington, London, N.

FREE LIBRARIES AND SHORTHAND
STUDY.

The following letter, signed by William Plant, has appeared in the Manchester Daily Dispatch: "For what purposes and to what extent may a public free library be legitimately used? It has been my wont for some time to take my shorthand 'Instructor,' Key,' and note-book to a certain library, there to study and practise shorthand. I have been to this library for this purpose for upwards of three months on five evenings per week, and have remained in the library about one hour each evening. I have taken my own books and pen, but have made use of the ink supplied at the library. I usually occupied one particular place at the general news table, but if this was occupied on my arrival, I, of course, sat wherever I could. On Monday evening I was informed by the librarian that a complaint had been made about my frequent use of the table for writing purposes, and that he was instructed to request my cessation of this practice. Had anyone objected to my use of the ink I should not have been surprised, and was quite willing to use my own pencil instead, though not so satisfactory for my purpose. I do not think, however, that my practice of writing could in itself cause any inconvenience to anyone. My particular use of the library has been very beneficial to me, as I could not attend evening classes this summer, and conditions at home are not always so favourable for study; and if I am to be debarred from using the library for this purpose my endeavours towards self-improvement will be considerably hampered. Contrast my use of the library with that prevalent at another library not far distant from the one I usually go to. At this other library one can see every day men lounging all over the forms, some sleeping, some eating, some drunk, hardly any reading, and the majority in a condition filthy enough to warrant their exclusion from the library." (We sympathize with the writer of the above letter in having been called on to "move on when engaged in the quiet study of his "Instructor." We think it possible, however, that he could still avail himself of the facilities which free libraries offer by taking up a position not in the news room-which is usually somewhat crowded-but in the reference library, assuming that there is one. The attendance in this part of the institution is usually limited, and the student can avail himself of works of reference to assist him in his studies.-ED. P.P.J.)

AMERICAN NOTES AND NEWS.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

Phonetic Journal office, 31 Union square, New York. The Hon. William E. Mason, U.S. Senator from Illinois, was, says the Book-keeper, a shorthand writer, and afterwards one of the best advocates at the Chicago bar. He states that without shorthand he could not have studied law, and adds: Shorthand has been a great help to me. I frequently use it now in the courts and in the United States Senate when I desire to make an exact quotation."

Prof. B. S. Clark, C.S.C., St Edward's College, Austin, Texas, writes: "There is not a shadow of a doubt in my mind that the Isaac Pitman system of shorthand is the best that the world has ever seen, or is likely to see. The principles upon which it is based are as broad as the principles of spoken language."

A recent issue of the Journal of Education (Boston, Mass.), says: "The Isaac Pitman system of shorthand is sixty years old, and enters the new century with more vigour, brightness, and prestige than ever. It is the one regal method of shortband writing, the standard, the leader in a rapidly widening field. It is so near perfection as to challenge universal admiration."

SOME EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR WORK.

THE BIRKBECK INSTITUTION. Foremost in the ranks of the great pioneers whose example and work contributed so much to the educational awakening of the latter half of the Nineteenth century, the Birkbeck Literary and Scientific Institution has a reputation of which it may be justly proud. Built up upon solid and broad foundations laid in the past, and adapted from time to time to the needs of the present, it has fertilized nearly three generations of educational effort; to many of its past students it is a splendid memory, and to present-day students an effective inspiration to advance in those higher branches of literary and scientific education which it was designed to foster.

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Founded as the London Mechanics' Institution by Dr George Birkbeck in 1823, "for the purpose of giving instruction to students in the principles of the arts they practise, and in the various branches of science and useful knowledge," the Birkbeck Institution thus started on its mission at a time when there was no provision for adult evening education in London, and became the pioneer of a movement which has extended all over the country, until Evening Classes and Polytechnics abound on every hand. Amidst them all the Birkbeck still lives on as a modern effective embodiment of that fundamental idea of its founder "that men should be instructed in the principles of the arts they practise." The first permanent home of the Institution was in Southampton buildings, Chancery lane, and it was at the laying of the foundation stone that Dr Birkbeck foreshadowed the beneticent sphere of the new Institution-"My friends, we are about to erect a temple to the increase of knowledge, to the diffusion of the riches of the mind, to the amelioration of the

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by the present Principal to the students when opening a

recent session of the Institution. A band of eminent men of those early days-H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Bedford, Lord Lansdowne, Lord Althorpe, Lord Brougham, and others-gave their support, and Lord Brougham has left on record the pleasure with which he used to attend the meetings. Classes in scientific, literary, and commercial subjects, and weekly lectures by eminent men were then, as now, the chief features, while the liberal spirit infused by its founder has been ever present meeting the needs of the students and progressively adapting itself to new conditions as they arose. For about sixty years the work went on increasing in usefulness and popularity until a new home became necessary, and for the last twenty years the Institution has been located in Bream's buildings, opening off Chancery lane. There is nothing very impressive about the front of the new building, or, at any rate, not at all commensurate with the extent and character of the work carried on in the

THE BIRKBECK INSTITUTION.

human intellect; we are proceeding to found an Institution for the improvement of the noblest faculties of man, to which the invitation shall be as universal as the dominion of knowledge, to the highest and humblest, alike and equal."

The conditions under which that ideal was started were not promising. The belief in the need of education had few supporters, education was for the few, and "deemed by some to be undesirable for the many," for, as Lord Cockburn, speaking on this point said, "the principle was reverenced as indisputable that the ignorance of the people was necessary for their obedience to the law." Long hours of labour, low wages, and poor food, books few and expensiveit was under such circumstances that the few advanced thinkers combined, under the leadership of Dr Birkbeck, to provide scientific instruction by evening lectures for the classes who were occupied during the day in obtaining their subsistence.

We have quoted this from the inaugural address delivered

various departments within its walls. At the same time it is an important central position, and everything is done to make the most of the situation.

On the occasion of our recent visit to the Institution we met with a cordial welcome from the Principal, Mr G. ArmitageSmith, M.A., from whom we learned much interesting information respecting the growth and work of the Institution, more especially within the last twenty years.

"You have not been always housed in your present buildings - under what circumstances did you come into them ?"

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"The original home of the Institution was in Southampton buildings, where the Bank now stands, and for which the old buildings were pulled down. About twenty-five years ago the old place had got far too small for our work, and the present Lord Northbrook suggested that a movement should be set on foot to provide a larger building, and his lordship headed a subscription list for that purpose. The Council of the Institution took the matter up and worked hard to raise the funds. The present building was thus erected by voluntary subscriptions, with the exception of about £3,000. The foundation stone of the new building was laid by the late Duke of Albany, who took a great interest in the Institution, and in the year 1885 the building was opened by their present Majesties the King and Queen (then Prince and Princess of Wales). There was a debt of, I think, about £3,000 remaining on the building. In 1891 the Charity Commissioners were revising the administration of the City Parochial Charities with a view to expending them in part upon Polytechnics. An application was made to them for a share of those charities, with the result that the debt on the building was paid off by the Charity Commissioners, and an annual grant of £1,000 was made to the Institution by the City Parochial Trustees."

"And what is the connection between the Institution and the name 'City Polytechnic ?'"'

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