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"That is a name which was given to a group of three institutions on the occasion I have just mentioned. The City of London College applied for and received a grant at the same time as the Birkbeck, and a third institution was created (now known as the Northampton Institution) in Clerkenwell, and together for the purpose of this grant they are described as the City Polytechnic. There is no other connection between them. They have, however, a natural differentiation-the work of the Birkbeck is chiefly scientific and academic, the City of London College is chiefly commercial, and the Northampton Institute teaches trade and technical subjects mainly suitable for artisans. That was the occasion when the Birkbeck Institution first came into relation with the official public, and ceased to be quite a voluntary institution. Up to that time the Institution had been from its very foundation a voluntary institution, doing pioneer work, and for a long period people were taught here at a very low fee by means of help from teachers who gave their services for a nominal reward. But from the first the Institution has had this characteristic, that it has kept in the van of educational movements, and as education advanced and new demands arose, it sought to meet them, adding such subjects as were wanted."

Úpon this point our attention was called to the following paragraph from a brief history of the Institution :

Thus it came that the Birkbeck was the first educational institution which opened its classes to women, and long before the controversy as to the claims of women to the full advantages of education and admission to degrees, the problem of students of both sexes attending the same lectures was practically solved at the Birkbeck. The plan adopted by the University of London of examining all comers gave a stimulus to the class of students engaged in the day, and created the necessity for suitable instruction. The Birkbeck recognised the want and gradually organized classes to provide regular courses of study in the sub'ects required for the University examinations.

"Another important feature of the Birkbeck," said our informant, "is that the Institution is free from any bias, either political or religious, and keeps purely to educational work. It has in this way been free from any prejudice either in its work or against it. At the present time we are in close relation with the University of London. Most of the teachers on our staff in science and in the arts subjects are recognised teachers of the University, under the new scheme for the reconstitution of the University. We have classes organized systematically for regular courses for the arts and science degree; so that students can come here and be internal students of the University, take up their courses in the day or evening classes under teachers recognised by the University, and work for their degree through a systematic course, or they can be external students, as before, if they think fit."

And what has the Birkbeck Institution found to be necessary in recent years in the way of modifying its curriculum to meet the modern conditions and changing demands in education ?"

Well, much work done by the Institution in former years has dropped away. Elementary work has been taken up by other institutions-by Evening Continuation Schools and by other classes. Another fact is that young men and women now get a better education before attending evening classes, and they come here having acquired a knowledge of the elementary subjects which were formerly necessary in evening classes. So that practically we have dropped many ele. mentary subjects or stages; they have not ceased altogether, but are gradually being narrowed down; and while this has been taking place we have, during the last twenty years, advanced considerably in the higher plane, and at an accelerated pace of late years. There is a much greater demand for advanced science, and for modern languages, law, mental science, and economics than formerly. The classes for these subjects have increased as the elementary ones have either dropped off or have been reduced."

And with regard to the commercial side, are you leaving that in favour of science and art, too?"

"Not altogether, because we have commercial law and economics and commercial geography, which are all flourishing classes. We are near the Law Courts, and we get, perhaps, more law students than any other evening college, and a good many clerks engaged in connection with the law come for these subjects. Commercial geography is very strong with us, and we have one of the best teachers in London for that subject. Economics I myself have taught for more than a quarter of a century, and that is one of the largest classes. Also we still maintain book-keeping and shorthand, but I do not know that we shall always be able to do so. We are moving on to a higher plane than formerly. In languages we have a large number of students. Science has always been a strong feature of the Institution, because the place was founded rather with a view to expounding the principles of science. The early lectures were in science, and various departments of science have been very much strengthened of late years. Then, since the Institution came into contact with the Technical Instruction Board of the London County Council we have had a great deal of help in the matter of equipment; we now possess excellent appliances, apparatus, and the means of teaching advanced science."

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Yes, evening classes are attended by people engaged in the daytime earning their living. We have students of all ages, there is only one limit, that is a minimum of 16. The Birkbeck has always been an adult institution, both women and men attend most classes; there has always been co-education, both sexes working together. The proportion of the sexes in the students is about three-fourths males and onefourth females. One striking characteristic of the Institution is that those who come here are deeply in earnest to improve their knowledge. That is the spirit of the place. If they were not in earnest they would not stop long. The ages of the students average from 20 to 30, though we get some up to 50. A great many students are teachers in secondary and Board schools who are working for a degree, and a good many follow such occupations as engineering. The occupations are, however, of the greatest variety-bank clerks, law clerks, book-keepers, teachers, civil servants, medical and law students, engineers, chemists, druggists, accountants, cashiers, secretaries, architects and surveyors, designers, analysts, commercial travellers, barristers and solicitors, clergymen, physicians, musicians, etc. The artisan class is not strong at the Birkbeck for the simple reason that there are no workshops such as artisans would require; these are also amply provided elsewhere. The Institution requires all its space for advanced work, and the more advanced the work becomes, the more room is required. We could do quite well with double the space we have."

(To be continued.)

PITMAN'S SHORTHAND AND TYPEWRITING YEAR BOOK AND DIARY FOR 1904.

All circulars containing information or corrections for the next Year Book should be returned to the Phonetic Institute, Bath, as early as possible. No notifications intended for free Holders insertion can be received after 12th September.

of Pitman's Shorthand teacher's certificate, of the teacher's diploma of the Incorporated Phonographic Society, and fellows and associates of the Incorporated Society of Shorthand Teachers, who have changed their addresses, are requested to send the necessary corrections for the lists, unless already notified.

Any Secretaries of Shorthand Writers' Associations, Principals of Shorthand Schools or Typewriting Offices, or conductors of Evercirculators who have not received circulars, are requested to send a post card at once to Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., Phonetic Institute, Bath.

Terms for advertisements in the Year Book forwarded on application.

BUSINESS LETTERS IN FRENCH. Translation into French of Letter No. 78 in Pitman's "Key to the Shorthand Commercial Letter Writer."

LETTRE D'UN DIRECTEUR DE SUCCURSALE DE BANQUE A SON CHEF.

Monsieur,

Hampstead High Street, Londres, N.W.,
30 Janvier, 1898.

WILSON ET CIE. J'ai l'honneur de vous faire2 connaître2 l'état présent de ce compte.

Le déficit a été quelque peu augmenté dans ces derniers temps. A cette époque de l'année, l'état de ce compte était généralement différent. J'ai eu quelques entretiens avec le principal associé au sujet de cette affaire. Il m'a expliqué que la cause de cet état de choses est dans l'extension prise par leurs affaires dans ces dernières années lesquelles exigent? maintenant un capital plus considérable. Après avoir sérieusement réfléchi à ce sujet, ils ont pris les mesures nécessaires à la conversion de leur société en une compagnie❞ à responsabilité limitée. L'étendue de leurs relations leur facilite l'exécution de ce projet qui, m'ont-ils dit", a, en général, été très bien accueilli dei leurs amis.

Dans ces circonstances je les ai naturellement prévenus13 d'avoir à liquider leur présent déficit, ce qu'ils m'ont promis de faire aussitôt que leurs fonds rentreront1.

En attendantis je les ai questionnés en détail sur leur position, et ils m'assurent que leurs affaires sont en bɔn état, le seul point faible étant l'insuffisance du capital. Cette déclaration m'a été confirmée par le solicitor qu'ils ont chargé de fonder la nouvelle compagnie.

Votre tout dévoué,

JAMES JOHNSON. 1 branch; 2, 2 report; 3 adverse balance; 4 interviews; 5. 5 senior partner; 6...6 extension taken by, increase of; 7 require; 8 society, firm; 9...9 limited company; 10 extent, extensive character; II...II note inversion; 12, 12 received by; 13...13 informed that they have to, must; 14 shall reenter, come in; 15, 15 meanwhile; 16 plural, agreeing with "les; 17 engaged.

(Letters Nos. 80 and 81 will be given next week.)

FOREIGN COMMERCIAL EXERCISES.

SPANISH.

ΙΟΙ.

MOVIMIENTO huelguistA INTERNACIONAL.

Destinado2 al2 HERALDO. Recientes conflictos obreros3 en España, Bélgica y Holanda han transformado en asunto primordial1 la cuestión de una huelga general como método de propaganda socialista. Por más que parezca extraño, hay muchos socialistas que combaten la idea de la huelga general como si fuera la verdadera encarnación del mal. Por mi parte, confieso que no me ha sido jamás posible comprender el punto de vista en que se colocan. Ansiamos ver realizado el socialismo, y los métodos que se han de adoptar son dependientes de las circunstancias que predominan en cada país y en un momento dado.

Aun en

En países, por ejemplo, donde la libertad política no existe ó resulta nula en la práctica, no les queda á los trabajadores más alternativa que la huelga ó la revolución. aquellos países, como Bélgica, en donde prevalece una buena dosis de facultad política y de libertad, una huelga general puede llegar á ser un auxiliar sumamente poderoso de la acción política en alguna fase1 particular de su historia.

Así, pues, personalmente, no estoy conforme con la opinión de aquellos que rechazan 16 la huelga general en todas circunstancias. Existen, sin embargo, ciertas condiciones indispensables para que corone el éxito al movimiento huelguista. Por ejemplo, debe estar bien organizado y ser

verdaderamente general. El fracaso 18 del reciente movimiento en Holanda confirma este punto, y yo creo que fué la convicción de19 quel el momento no era propicio para un paro general del trabajo lo que indujo á varios de los jefes1 responsables del socialismo en Holanda á oponerse á aquella idea.-Heraldo de Madrid.

I in favour of "striking;" 2, 2 intended for the, special to the; 3 working class (adjective); 4 of the first importance; 5..5 although; 6 it were, it was; 7.7 they take their stand; 8..8 have to be adopted; 9. 9 results null, is non-existent; 10 more, other; 11 (Greek word) gift, quantity allowed, dose; 12 faculty, power; 13 come; 14 phase; 15 in agreement; 16 are vehemently opposed to; 17..17 in order that the result may crown; 18 crumbling to pieces, collapse; 19, 19 that; 20 stoppage, cessation; 21 chiefs, leaders. ENGLISH VERSION OF LAST WEEK'S EXERCISE. GERMAN. 100.

BANK FOR ELECTRICAL UNDERTAKINGS IN ZÜRICH. Although the development of almost all these undertakings has proceeded at a really slower rate than was anticipated in the early days of the "conjuncture," we may still be satisfied with the results obtained, regarded as a whole, by the cooperation of the companies financed by the bank, and likewise deduce the conclusion that in those companies also in which expectations are not yet fulfilled, a commensurate compensation for the money invested in these undertakings will not fail to come into existence. The profit and loss account presents, on this occasion again, the returns of the total investments in a single sum, 3,645,377 francs (in the preceding year, 3.707,519 francs), in which are included 73.435 francs (213,560 francs) interest on the property of the bank and discount on various bills 19.246 francs. On the other side of the account interest on bonds necessitated the payment of 1.347.790 francs (1,210,000 francs), interest charges of various kinds, only 83,290 francs (544,530 francs), charges 173,655 francs (183,309 francs). Including the amount brought in from last year, 114.938 francs (125.068 francs), the net profit amounts to 2,235.204 francs against 2,059,486 francs in the preceding year. Of this the increased share capital receives a dividend of 6 per cent. (the same as last year's), 1,980,000 francs (1,800,000 francs), the reserve fund gets 106,013 francs (96,730 francs), and is thereby increased to 1,291,043 francs, and tantièmes, 52,069 francs (47,827 francs). In the balance sheet the following figure among the assets: allotment of founders' shares, 30,153,681 francs (last year, 31,447.108 francs), advances on current account, 8,193,485 francs (last year, 9,543,096 francs), payments on account of the claims of the founders' syndicate, 823,526 francs (last year, 1,184,678 francs). The bank's property amounted, in ten sums together, to 2,714,682 francs (last year, 3.775,456 francs).—Der Kapitalist.

BOOK-KEEPING EXAMINATION PAPERS.

No. 72. ADVANCED.

The Ellesmere Motor Cycle Manufacturing Company was formed on the 1st March, 1903, with a nominal capital of £200,000 in 10,000 Preference Shares of £10 each and 100,000 Ordinary Shares of £1 each. The Preference Shares were issued at par, and were payable 10s. on application, £4 10s on allotment, and £5 on the 1st May Of the Ordinary Shares 20,000 were issued to the Ellesmere Cycle Syndicate, from whom the business was purchased, as fully paid, and 70,000 were offered for public subscription at a premium of Is. per share. They were payable is, on application, 5s. (including the premium) on allotment, and the balance by three instalments of 53. each on the 1st days of May, June, and July respectively.

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THE PROPOSED IRISH SHORTHAND WRITERS' INSTITUTE. Sir,-Referring to the outline scheme of the proposed Irish Shorthand Writers' Institute which appeared in the Journal of 15th August, I beg to offer the following brief suggestions for the consideration of shorthand writers and teachers in Ireland :

(1) That this Institute should not be formed as an enlargement of the Dublin Shorthand Writers' and Literary Association; the latter, no doubt, may serve its own purposes admirably, but such an association consisting of phonographers and non-phonographers, enrolled without examination, should not be taken as "one body" to form the nucleus of,

or be amalgamated with the proposed Institute. This would in no way interfere with individual members who may be qualified for the Institute.

(2) That in the formation of the Institute every applicant for membership should give satisfactory evidence, by previous certificate or otherwise, of his ability to write at least 70 words per minute. The minimum for entrance to be afterwards 80 words per minute. Annual subscription to be not less than 5s.

(3) That a Council of 21 members, including provincial representatives, be elected by vote, and having one President, three Vice-Presidents, one Treasurer, and one General Secretary. Meetings of this Council to be held at least six times in each year for the transaction of business.

(4) Certificated teachers of the Institute :-That all the shorthand teachers in Ireland who have already passed one or more of the following examinations, viz. :-(a) Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons' teacher's examination; (b) the teacher's examination of the Incorporated Phonographic Society; or (c) the teacher's examination of the Incorporated Society of Shorthand Teachers, be enrolled as certificated teachers of the Institute, and hold the same rank as associates, fellows, or honours diploma, etc., to which their present certificates entitle them. Teachers not passing any of these examinations to be admitted to this section only by passing an examination held by the Institute.

(5) That an Examining Board of five members be elected to set examination papers, and examine candidates for the teacher's diploma, on a program similar to that of the Incorporated Society of Shorthand Teachers, but no member to act on this Examining Board who has not himself passed at least one of the examinations mentioned in paragraph 4. These examinations of the Institute to be held twice a year, and the annual subscription to be not less than 7s. 6d.

(6) That an Examining Board of seven members (not necessarily teachers) be appointed to examine and admit members to the Institute, as qualified shorthand writers, typists, book-keepers, etc.

(7) That a register of all the members and certificated teachers of the Institute be kept, and lists published and supplied to employers of shorthand clerks, typists, etc., and to educational authorities as often as may be considered necessary.

If the foregoing suggestions are adopted, and strictly adhered to, then membership of the Institute will be a guarantee of practical ability as shorthand writers, typists, book-keepers, etc., prepared to undertake office work. And certificated teachers of the Institute will be those only who are fully qualified and prepared to do justice to the teaching of shorthand, and the competition of the incompetent will gradually disappear.

B. F. HIGGINS,

(Holder of Pitman's Teacher's Certificate and F.Inc.S.T.) Dublin.

CLARK'S COLLEGE.

At the recent Society of Arts examinations, 344 candidates were presented by Clark's College, Chancery lane, London, of whom 313 were successful. (84 first-class, 108 secondclass, and 121 third-class certificates.) Of these, 105 candidates secured a bronze medal and 104 certificates in Bookkeeping (51 first-class, 37 second-class, and 16 third-class); 130 candidates in Shorthand obtained 117 certificates (20 first-class, 29 second-class, and 68 third-class); of 56 candidates in Typewriting, 51 passed (one first-class, 22 secondclass, and 28 third-class). In addition to these, students of Clark's College also obtained the first place (with bronze medal and prize) in Geography, and the second place (with bronze medal and prize) in Arithmetic. Special preparation classes for next year's examinations are now being formed, and students desiring to enter should communicate immediately with Mr Alfred E. Manton, F.I P.S., Head of the Commercial Section, Clark's College, 1, 2 and 3 Chancery lane, London, W.C.

LITERARY NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

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A new series of works in modern fiction is announced by Mr John Long, which will be produced under the editorship of Mr Hannaford Bennett. Volumes already selected are "Adam Bede." "The Cloister and the Hearth,' The Woman in White,' Westward Ho!" "Henry Esmond," and Anthony Trollope's story, "The Three Clerks." The books will be restricted to representative works of fiction by leading writers of the Nineteenth century. "There are," it is remarked, "many series of reprints, and the publication of another must justify itself by its qualities." Each volume will be tastefully printed, illustrated, and bound, and will have a biographical introduction by Mr Bennett.

The final volume of Mr Justin McCarthy's "History of Our Own Times" is now being printed, and Messrs Chatto hope to issue it shortly.

Messrs Hutchinson are issuing Southey's life of Nelson in their new and popular series of biographies. A third edition of their reprint of Bourrienne's "Napoleon" has been called for.

Messrs Routledge will shortly publish a "Dictionary of Names, Nicknames, and Surnames of Persons, Places, and Things," compiled by Mr Edward Latham. The book is intended to supplement the ordinary geographical, biographical, and classical dictionaries.

"The Gentleman's Magazine Library," which has been in course of publication by Mr Elliot Stock during the last twenty years, under the editorship of Mr G. Laurence Gomme, is to be completed in the course of the coming autumn by the issue of two volumes relating to London.

Sir Walter Besant's autobiography records the fact that he wrote eighteen novels in eighteen years. It is calculated that this output meant the writing of about a thousand words each secular day of the year, basing the calculation on the average length of his novels. This is far behind the achievements of some of our contemporary novelists, Marion Crawford, for instance, who often writes two novels in one year, and who once wrote four in twelve months. Probably this latter achievement entitled Mr Crawford to the record for the rapid production of novels that are worth reading.

An

In the last number of Vim considerable attention is paid to the subject of a healthy holiday, and those who have not yet taken their vacation will find something to interest them in the descriptive accounts of holiday haunts and the suggestions offered for making the most of one's leisure. interesting article, illustrated by some good reproductions from photographs, is contributed by Dr Inglis Clark (Hon. Sec. Scottish Mountaineering Club) on "Mountaineering in Britain," while Mr J. St A. Jewell contributes an extremely informing article, well illustrated, on "Boat Sailing and Yachting for Amateurs." The claims of Colonsay as a holiday resort are pleasantly set forth. Special attention is paid to what the strong men are doing.

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and literary worlds. In the numbers before us we find the terms shorthander and shorthand typist, with illustrative quotations from this Journal. Two not very elegant words added to military and motor terminology of late, namely sniper and snorter, have their respective meanings illustrated in a very interesting way, and the mysterious disorder known as sleeping sickness is fully explained.

Mr A. J. Tonkin, an active member of the Bristol and Clifton Dickens Society, a corresponding member of the well-known Dickens Society of Boston, U.S.A., and an active local phonographer, contributed to the Clifton Chronicle recently an article which took the form of an answer to the question "Was Dickens unjust to women?" Mr Tonkin discusses with ability and with a full knowledge of his author, the characteristics associated with some of the many female characters delineated in the pages of the great novelist. In spite of some exaggeration, Mr Tonkin regards Dickens's characterization as true to life and not unkindly to the larger half of humanity. Indeed a writer can hardly be said to be unjust to the sex who apostrophizes woman in the remarkable passage which refers to her as "God beloved in old Jerusalem." Mr Tonkin mentions that he recently had the pleasure of eliciting Lord Avebury's valuable opinion on the subject of Dickens's alleged injustice to women. His lordship assured him that he never heard that Charles Dickens was unjust to women, and expressed his opinion that he was

not.

At the beginning of next month a new magazine, entitled the Book Monthly, will be started. It will be at once a trade organ in a fresh and attractive form and a magazine about the books of the day. Accordingly, it will make an independent appeal to booksellers, publishers, librarians, readers and writers, and to everybody interested in the book world. It will seek to mirror the broad activities of that world from month to month, the governing idea being always information, and not criticism. The Book Monthly will be illustrated, its price will be 6d. net, and it will appear through Simpkin's."

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Messrs Routledge will publish at the end of this month a non-technical up-to-date description of electric traction in Great Britain, under the title " Tube, Train, Tram, and Car." It is by Mr Arthur H. Bevan, and Sir W. H. Preece revised the proofs.

"

Many readers will be interested in the following announcement relative to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous creation which is published under the heading The Return of Sherlock Holmes": "The readers of the Strand Magazine have a vivid recollection of the time when Sherlock Holmes made his first appearance before the public, and of the Adventures which made his name a household word in every quarter of the world. The news of his death was received with regret as at the loss of a personal friend Fortunately, that news, though based on circumstantial evidence which at the time seemed conclusive, turns out to be erroneous. How he escaped from his struggle with Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls, why he remained in hiding even from his friend Watson, how he made his re-appearance, and the manner he signalized his return by one of the most remarkable of his exploits, will be found narrated in the first story of the New Series, beginning in the October Strand."

General James, ex-Postmaster-General of the United States, who is on a visit to this country, has called attention to the enormous increase of the mails between Britain and America. Twenty years ago 120 sacks were considered a heavy mail, whereas to-day the Campania brought over 2,085 sacks. He thought the British people should bring pressure to bear upon the two Governments for the establishment of a penny post, which was justified by the vast increase in the correspondence. He believed it would be a financial success.

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There were once three brothers who became so poor that at last they had not even bread to eat. So they made up their minds that they would leave their homes and seek their fortunes in the world. Their neighbours gave them a few pence, and they started off. When they had gone a long way, they at last came to a forest and saw a mountain close by. As they approached the eldest brother cried out that he had now found the fortune he wanted, for the mountain was made of silver ! So he went home taking with him as much of the metal as he could carry. But the two other brothers were not so well pleased with the silver, and said that they would look out for some better fortune. So on they went, and in a few days came to a second mountain, made of solid gold. When he saw this, the second brother said he would take enough to last him his life, and make his way home. And when he had as much as he could carry, he bade his brother "Good-by," and returned to his native village.

Now the youngest brother was not tempted by the gold and silver, but determined to go on, for he thought that in time he might meet with even better fortune. So he went on, and soon came

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to a still bigger forest. But he could find nought to eat or drink, and feared he might starve. There seemed to be no end to the trees, and he thought he could not find his way out. He climbed to the top of a high tree, and even then could only see trees all around him. He came down at last, feeling very hungry. When he got to the foot of the tree he was astonished to find a table laid out with a nice supper. He was highly delighted, and at

once set to work and made a good meal, not troubling to ask who had cooked it and placed it in his way. When he had finished it struck him that it would be a very great pity to leave such a nice and handy little table in the woods.

So the young man packed it up and carried it off with him. He now went on his way with great comfort, for when he felt hungry and tired he would set his table on the ground, and at his wish for a good meal it would be covered with as many dishes as it could hold. He said to himself that such a table was better than gold or silver; but he was not satisfied with his good fortune and still went on his journey. One night he reached a part of the wood which was very still and quiet, and came on a black charcoal-burner who was making a meal of roast potatoes.

(To be continued)

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