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MR EDISON'S LATEST.

The brief announcement which the Laffan Agency transmitted from New York to Europe to the effect that Mr Edison has "successfully "' which completed a commercial phonograph is to supersede both the shorthand writer and the typist, and is capable of doing the work of eight typists, has evoked a variety of expressions of opinion. According to a correspondent of the Daily News it has caused something like a panic in typewriting circles and a stampede to other employments. We must confess that we bave seen no indications of these things; the only stampede in which typists have been participating is to the seaside and other holiday resorts. Alarmists may be recommended to take the advice of the Daily News. Our contemporary says:-"On the whole, we should advise a postponement of the 'stampede' of typists. Mr Edison has certainly 'got there' often enough, but he is by no means infallible; and, what is more to the purpose, his inventions do not instantaneously drive all the old ways out of the market. The simple phonograph is more of a practical appliance than it was; but after several years of use the best machines are still too costly and too erratic to replace the human stenographer, and are scarcev used as dictating machines save by a popular novelist or two, to whom it hardly matters whether the words come out right or wrong, once their reputation is established. Besides, Mr Edison is busy with that new storage battery for electric motor cars, which is to kill off all the other kinds of automobile when it is perfect."

BELFAST SHORTHAND

INSTITUTE.

A meeting for the distribution of prizes and certificates in connection with the Belfast Shorthand Institute, of which the principal is Mr E. J. Beattie, was held on 26th August, in the hall of the Institute, Royal avenue. Mr J. S. Hamill, managing editor of the Belfast Evening Telegraph, presided, and there was a large and influential attendance. Mr J. W. Storey read the annual report of the Examining Committee, which stated that the work of the past year had been the most successful in the history of the Institute, and that the number on the rolls had been larger than in any previous year, and the quality of the work done had been of a much higher standard The Chairman congratulated Mr Beattie, Miss Howe, and the members of the teaching staff in general on the splendid record of work which had been presented. Two of the chief accomplishments which any young man or young woman should strive to possess were a thorough mastery and knowledge of shorthand and an ability to use with accuracy and despatch the typewriter. Mr W. G. Anderson, editor of the Belfast NewsLetter, distributed the prizes. In shorthand, Jeannie Stewart obtained the Evening Telegraph Shorthand Challenge Cup (second year of holding), also the Stewart silver cup, which is now her property, as she has won it three times. Pitman speed certificate at 140 words per minute was also presented to this lady. A large number of other medals and certificates

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We have your favour of the 13th inst. to hand for which we are much obliged. The order for 500 pieces pink sateens has been put in hand, and we will arrange to send you the goods on Thursday next, the 19th inst. We note your remarks respecting preference for Great Central Railway Company's route, and will carry out your wishes. Reverting to the twills we sent you on the 7th ult., with which you are not quite satisfied, we can only say they are of exactly the We theresame quality and shade as those sent you in April last. fore suggest that you carefully examine them again, and if there really is a difference you may of course return them to us, and we We trust, however, this will credit your account with cost of same. will not be necessary.

We have referred your enquiries re yarns to that department for particulars, and will reply to you fully to-morrow by first post.

Owing to the increased business with which we have had to cope during the past twelve months, it has been found necessary to extend our premises, and this together with new machinery which has been installed, will enable us to execute orders much more promptly than heretofore. Our Mr. Dickinson will in future be in Leicester every Wednesday, and will call on you to receive your commands.

Soliciting a further continuation of your esteemed orders, we beg to remain,

Yours faithfully,

were awarded for shorthand. In typewriting Annie Doggart obtained the 'Johnson" Challenge Cup (second year of holding), and Jennie Campbell gold medal (presented by the Densmore Typewriter Company). Mr Anderson, in a brief speech, dwelt on the value of shorthand study as a training. The Institute was deprived by Miss Stewart of the challenge cup presented by Mr Stewart, and he would have great pleasure in replacing that trophy by another one to be competed for under like conditions. A number of other speeches were given.

A TYPISTS' TRADES UNION."-A writer in T. P.'s Weekly has been furnished with particulars of the "Association of Shorthand Writers and Typists," for the encouragement of a higher standard of practical training, the securing of a reasonable minimum salary, the establishing of a worldwide registry, the raising of the general level of proficiency. Members are divided into two classes: Class A, with at least six months' training and six months' practical work, and Class B, with at least three years of practical work. No one under the age of eighteen is admitted as a member, and the minimum salary for clerks in Class A division is put down at 20s. a week; and in class B at 30s. An out-of-work fund is run in connection with the association. Any reader who would like further particulars can get them from Miss Preece, 10 St Leonard's Mansions, Chelsea, London, S. W.

LEGAL TERMS, PHRASES, AND

ABBREVIATIONS

FOR TYPISTS, AND SHORTHAND AND OTHER
JUNIOR CLERKS.

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

III. TERMS USED IN LITIGATION (Continued). Special County Court Terms.-PLAINT.-PLAINT NOTE. -Proceedings in the County Court are not commenced, as in the High Court of Justice, by the issue of a writ of summons. With a few exceptions, provided for by special statutes, to which it is not necessary here to refer further, all County Court actions begin with a plaint. Technically the plaint is the claim made by the plaintiff against the defendant. It is entered in a book kept at the County Court office, and the entry consists of the names and addresses of the parties, and of the plaintiff's solicitor, if any, and a statement of the nature and amount of the claim. In order that the plaint may be entered, it is necessary to take to the County Court office, or to fill up there a præcipe, on a form which will be supplied at the office, setting out the foregoing particulars. This is handed in, together with two copies of full particulars of the claim, setting out dates and items, and the requisite court fee. The plaint is numbered in the order in which it has been received, and the applicant receives a document called a plaint note. This is an important document, which must be carefully preserved. It has to be taken to the court whenever any application is made with reference to the action, and produced there on attending to receive any money out of court. It is a merely formal document entitled in the action and having the number of the proceedings plainly written upon it, specifying what fees have been paid and certifying that the action has been entered, and naming the day and hour at which it will be tried. There is a slight variation in the form in the case of a Default Summons (which see).

The plaint having been entered and the plaint note received, the authorities at the court make out the summons directed to the defendant and serve it upon him.

DEFAULT SUMMONS.-In certain cases in which the claim is for a debt or liquidated demand for a sum not exceeding £50 a procedure is available in the County Court that resembles in substance, though not in form or in name, the procedure of the High Court. Under an ordinary summons, a defendant can attend at the trial as a matter of course and defend the claim. If a default summons be issued, he is not entitled to defend as a matter of course, and if he does not comply with the requirements of the summons within eight days after service upon him, judgment is entered against him just as it would be at the expiration of the like period after service of a writ issued from the High Court.

But the procedure is rather more complicated in the case of a default summons than in ordinary cases in the County Court. The summons is not issued as a matter of course. An affidavit has to be made and filed verifying the debt and setting out certain other required facts.

Various limitations exist with regard to the right to issue a default summons, which it would need too much space to explain here. Those who desire further information on the subject may be referred to the orders and rules issued under the County Courts Acts, and to one or other of the books of practice relating to County Court proceedings.

The plaint note differs from that used in an ordinary action in this respect it contains on the face of it a statement that the plaintiff will be entitled to judgment at the expiration of eight days from the date of the personal service of the summons, inclusive of the day of such service, unless the defendant gives notice of his intention to defend the action; and it contains a further statement that should such notice be given the plaintiff will be informed by post thereof, and of the day and hour that the action will be tried. The summons itself

gives the defendant express notice that unless within eight days after service of it upon him he returns to the registrar of the court at the place specified, the notice annexed at the foot of the summons (which is a notice of intention to defend and is required to be signed by the defendant personally or by his solicitor), he will not afterwards be allowed to make any defence to the plaintiff's claim, and that in that event the plaintiff may, without giving any further proof in support of his claim other than the affidavit filed on the issue of the summons, proceed to judgment and execution.

A default summons requires to be served personally, whereas an ordinary summons is often served by merely leaving it with the defendant's wife or servant, and if there is sufficient reason to believe that it must have come to his knowledge, it is generally assumed that he has knowledge of it. Where a default summons cannot be served personally, an order for leave to effect substituted service can be obtained. Two forms of affidavit to be used on applying for a default summons are appended. They will serve to show the kind of evidence required in order to entitle such a summons to issue. A variety of other forms applicable to special cases could be added, but space prevents.

Affidavit of Debt where more than £5 is owing and the defendant is within the District of the Court.

I John Smith of 118 Anchor street Islington in the County of London wholesale ironmonger make oath and say as follows

I That William Adams of Patience road Islington aforesaid builder is justly and truly indebted to me in the sum of £49 7s. 6d. for the price of goods sold

Note.—The affidavit need not be made by the plaintiff in the action. It is sufficient if it is made by someone personally aware of the facts. Where it is made by a manager or other person in the employ of the plaintiff it will take the following form:

I That William Adams of Patience road Islington aforesaid builder is justly and truly indebted to John Smith of 118 Anchor street Islington aforesaid wholesale ironmonger in the sum of £49 75. 6d. for the price of goods sold

2 That I am a person in the employ of the said John Smith and that the facts herein deposed to are within my own knowledge and that I am duly authorized by the said John Smith to make this affidavit

Further Note.-This form will be still further varied if the defendant does not reside or carry on business within the district of the particular County Court in which it is proposed to take proceedings. Paragraph 2 of the next form should in that case be inserted in the affidavit.

Form of Affidavit where claim does not exceed £5, and defendant is not within the jurisdiction of the Court.

I John Smith of 118 Anchor street Islington in the County o London wholesale ironmonger make oath and say as follows

I That William Adams of 235 Wilson road Battersea in the County of London builder is justly and truly indebted to me in the sum of £4 18s. 5d. for the price of goods sold

2 That the said William Adams within six months from the date hereof dwelt or carried on business within the jurisdiction of this court that is to say at Patience road Islington aforesaid

Or that the cause of action in respect of which the said William Adams is proposed to be sued arose wholly or in part at Patience road Islington within the jurisdiction of this court That the facts relied on as constituting the alleged cause of action or a part thereof are that the order for the goods for the price of which an action is proposed to be brought was given at Patience road Islington aforesaid within the jurisdiction of this court

3 And I further say that my claim is for the price of goods which or some part of which were sold and delivered to the said William Adams to be used or dealt with in the way of his trade of a builder

[Or if that paragraph is not applicable, the following must be substituted to show that it is a proper case for a default summons to issue]

3 And I further say that the said William Adams is not a domestic or menial servant a labourer a servant in husbandry a journeyman an artificer a handicraftsman a minor or a person engaged in manual labour

Note. If this affidavit is made by a manager or other person in the employ of the proposed plaintiff, it will, of course,

be altered in the same way as has been already indicated with reference to the first form.

If the facts disclosed by the affidavit bring the application within the cases in which default summonses can be issued, the registrar signs at the foot of the affidavit a memorandum to the following effect :

I do order that the above-named John Smith be at liberty to enter a plaint in this court and issue à default summons against the above-named William Adams (Signature) Registrar.

("Miscellaneous Terms will follow. This series commenced in No. 1.)

THIS MONTH'S PHONOGRAPHIC

MAGAZINES.

The Reporters' Magazine begins a new volume-the twentyfourth-with new features. A series on " Successful Journalists" opens with the literary life story of Mr A. B. Cooper, a clever member of Sir George Newnes's staff, about whom a good deal that is interesting is related. An illustrated review of "Highways and Byways in Yorkshire" should prove attractive to many readers, while an article entitled "The Possibilities of Radium furnishes useful and informing scientific reading. This month's extract in the abbreviated Reporting Style consists of the Chairman's speech at the G. Newnes Ltd. annual meeting. The "Review of Reviews" and "Occasional Notes" furnish four or five pages of very entertaining comment and gossip, dealing with shorthand, typewriting, literary and scientific topics.

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Attractive holiday subjects occupy a good deal of space the Reporters' Journal. The Editor commences a pleasant description with photographic illustrations of "A Visit to Pompeii." In a "Record Ride with Royalty," Stylus Swift gives some interesting details concerning the memorable ride of the Prince and Princess of Wales from Paddington to Plymouth at the average speed of 63 miles an hour. "Some Holiday Thoughts," by Jesmond Dene, includes wholesome advice, while the "Echoes from the Reporters' Gallery" furnish interesting glimpses of present day Parliamentary reporting.

In the Phonographer the first prize winners and medallists in book-keeping and typewriting at the last Society of Arts examination are the subjects of articles (illustrated by portraits) in which they relate their experience, while the first prize winner and medallist in shorthand is the subject of an interesting article, accompanied by a facsimile of his notes at 140 words per minute. A variety of other matter of interest to shorthand writers and typists is included in the part, and the notes and exercises on book-keeping will be appreciated by commercial students.

The Phonographic Magazine (Dunedin) for June discusses very briefly the important question of over-exertion in the acquirement of speed, and under the heading "Phonography in Australia,'' reports are given of some interesting lectures on shorthand topics.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF S.W.A's.

NORTH DISTRICT.

A meeting of the North District Council was held in the Church Institute, Hood street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, on 29th August, Mr J. Brodie (Chairman) presiding. The Council accepted the invitation of the I.S.S.T. to hold a joint meeting at the next North District Conference, which will be held in Gateshead on 3rd or 10th October. The recommendations of the Sub-Committee upon the question of a District Speed Championship Competition (shorthand writing and transcription) to be called "The Northumberland and Durham Shorthand Speed Championship Competition" were adopted, subject to the approval of the Federation being obtained for the Competition to be held under that organization's auspices. It is proposed to have two divisions of the competition, to be designated Junior Championship" (120 words per minute), and * Senior Championship" (150 words per minute), to offer three prizes in each section for the best papers in order of merit, and to hold the Junior competition on the first Saturday evening in December, and the Senior competition on the first Saturday evening in March.

LONDON AND THE PROVINCES.

The Editor will be greatly obliged by receiving marked copies of any local journals that contain paragraphs or comments on subjects likely to be of interest to the readers of this Journal.

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The following are the results of examinations for commercial education certificates of the London Chamber of Commerce, held at the Royal Albert Memorial College, Exeter, last May. An asterisk denotes Distinction":-Juniors: Arithmetic-W. R. Pring (St John's Hospital School). Book-keeping-*W. H. H. Aplin (City School of Shorthand, etc., 97 Queen street). Drawing, freehand and models-C. Huxham, *P. Peters, *E. Letheren, and *W. Letheren (St John's Hospital School), *Wm. Flay (Royal Albert Memorial College). English composition and grammar-R Abrahams and W. Letheren (St John's Hospital School). Shorthand— *W. H. Aplin and *C. E. Bird (City School of Shorthand, etc.), S. Bray and *F. W. A. Burrington (Royal Albert Memorial College), *H. S. Hilman, and *Miss B. M. Rew (City School of Shorthand, etc.). Seniors: Shorthand-*J. Rook (Royal Albert Memorial College). Typewriting-T. Gardener (City School of Shorthand). The whole of the successful candidates were taught by Mr T. H. Stone.

The following students attending the Empire School of Shorthand, Typewriting, and Book-keeping, 44 Old Town street, Plymouth, have been successful in obtaining certificates for Pitman's Shorthand. Mr J. G. Boyle, Saltash Passage, Devonport, obtained a second-class, after seven weeks' tuition, having had no previous knowledge of the art. Third-class certificates were taken by Mr J. H. Gallagher, Stonehouse, and Miss Hilda Pyne, Keyham Barton, Devonport, who has been an attendant at the school for four weeks only. All were taught by Miss Burley, the principal.

The Oldham S.W.A. (federated), President, Mr Louis J. Driver, has just opened a new session at the Unity Hall, King street, and has issued an attractive syllabus of weekly meetings for speed practice, examinations, and the reading of papers, from the present time up to the end of next April. A social evening is arranged for Wednesday, 16th Sept., at 7.30, to which all phonographers in the town are cordially invited. The session's program of work will be agreeably diversified by soirées held in November and February respectively. The list of officers indicates that the S.W.A. has received influential support, and with the capital program which has been arranged, it may be hoped that the Association will increase in membership and in usefulness in the new session. The Hon. Secretary is Mr T. Smith, 166 Crossbank street, Oldham, who will be pleased to hear from intending members.

The adjourned meeting of the Bristol S.W.A. was held on 25th August, at Short's Coffee Tavern, High street, and there was a good attendance. Mr A. J. Tonkin presided, and in his opening remarks referred to the advantages to be derived from being a member of the Association, etc., and the minutes of the preliminary meeting were then taken. The proposed rules and prospectus were read seriatim by the secretary, and after considerable discussion, in which Messrs E. J. Hawkins, S. H. Morgan. W. Jenkins, W. H. Taylor, W. Turner, G. T. Payne, C. Watkins, and others took part, the rules, etc., were adopted. The following officers were elected to serve for the ensuing year: President, Mr A. J. Tonkin; Vice-President, to be elected at an early date; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr G. T. Payne. A Committee, consisting of the president, vice-president, secretary, Messrs S. H. Morgan, W. Jenkins, W. Stride, W. H. Taylor, Mrs Tonkin, and Miss Pritchard, was also appointed, and it was decided to commence the session on 8th Sept., with speed practice and other matters likely to be of interest to phonographers. Over 30 ladies and gentlemen have joined.”

An examination for Pitman speed certificates recently held in connection with Skerry's School of Shorthand, Typewriting, and Commercial Training, 10 Harcourt street, Dublin, resulted as follows: 120 words, the Misses Matthews, Rawson, Williams; 100 words, the Misses Elliott (W.), Hillis, Phillips, Shea; Messrs Everard, Fitzpatrick, Sneyd; 60 words, Misses Callan, Dobbs, Elliott (M.), Kennedy, Hishon, M'Ardle, Porter, West; Messrs Doyle, Stone; 20 pupils passed out of 21 sent forward. At a previous examination 22 of the 23 pupils sent forward obtained first-class certificates.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Teachers of Phonography and Secretaries of Shorthand Writers' Associations are invited to send us Announcements of Classes, Meetings, Lectures, Discussions, etc., for this column. Announcements are inserted free of charge.

BIRMINGHAM. West End Private School of Shorthand, 65 Marshall street, West Smethwick, Birmingham.-Mr Geo. R. Glover (teacher's diploma) begs to announce that he is about to commence private classes in shorthand (elementary and advanced) at the above school. Individual tuition. Further particulars on application.

BIRMINGHAM. ELKINGTON STREET EVENING SCHOOLS.Under the auspices of the Birmingham City Council Technical and Evening Schools Committee, commercial classes have just commenced at the Elkington Street Evening Schools for the following subjects:-Shorthand, elementary, intermediate, and advanced. Reporting, elementary and advanced. Book-keeping, single and double entry. Commercial Arithmetic. French. Typewriting (touch system). Commercial Correspondence. Business training and office routine. The Commercial classes will be under the direction and tuition of Mr Egbert P. Booth, F.Inc.S.T., A.I.P.S. The school will be under the supervision of Mr Bernard Cresswell, head master, assisted by a staff of practical teachers. A warm welcome will be given to all intending students. It should be noted that students can sit for examination in any subject or subjects they desire-there are prizes given and valuable scholarships offered by the Council. The school offers a splendid opportunity for all desiring an all round commercial training living in the Birmingham district.

BISHOP AUCKLAND.-Mr J. Cruickshank, M.I.P.S., 13 Alderson street, will give lessons in shorthand (class or individual) during the winter months. Terms on application.

DERBY CENTRAL S.W.A.-The winter session of this Association commences on 18th Sept., and will be held in the same room as was occupied last year, namely, No. 13, Mechanics' Institute, Wardwick. Mr T. W. Cowlishaw, F.I.P.S. (honours diploma), whose tuition has proved so invaluable to the Association in the past, has again been retained as instructor, and the committee have every reason to anticipate a very successful session. It has been considered advisable, for the convenience of students, to slightly alter the times of the classes, and in future they will be held on Friday evenings as follows:-Theory and Intermediate, 7.15 to 8.15; Advanced and Speed, 8.15 to 9.30. The committee hope that those who have attended the classes formerly will continue to do so, and also use their influence to induce others to join. Ladies are cordially invited to become members of the Association.

LONDON. 16 Wool Exchange, Basinghall street, E.C. Turner's Shorthand, Typewriting, and Commercial Bureau.Instruction in Phonography and typewriting is given daily at these offices, and on alternate evenings from 6.30 to 8.30 for the convenience of students engaged during the day. Full particulars on application.

LONDON. POPLAR, E. Poplar School of Shorthand, 55 Upper North street. Principal, Mr T. Bayes (holder of Pitman's teacher's certificate).-Day or evening private tuition in shorthand, elementary, intermediate, and advanced. Prospectus free.

LONDON. SAYER STREet Evening CONTINUATION CLASSES, New Kent road, London, S. E.-The classes which were attended with such marked success during the last session at Victory Place School have now been transferred to the above school, and will re-open on Monday, 21st September. A special feature for the new session is that the classes will be available both for male and female students. The subjects include shorthand, typewriting, commercial arithmetic, first aid, vocal music, dressmaking, laundrywork, book-keeping, home nursing, etc. The school will meet on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, from 7.30 to 9.30. Fee is. for the session for any number of subjects, but students who are under sixteen years of age at the commencement

of the session will be admitted without payment of any fee. Prizes and certificates are given for (a) Attendance, (b) Progress and efficiency. Pupils are prepared for Pitman's, Society of Arts, N.U.T., Chamber of Commerce, and other examinations. The responsible teacher is Mr J. T. Chell.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Answers to all inquiries relating to Shorthand, Typewriting, Commercial Education, Commercial Law, the Civil Service, and kindred subjects, will be published as soon after receipt as possible, but correspondents are requested to bear in mind that in some instances research taking time may be needful before satisfactory information can be furnished, and also that this Journal is sent to press eleven days in advance of the date of publication. Correspondents can be answered under initials or a pseudonym, whichever they prefer, but their names and addresses must be forwarded as a guarantee of good faith. All letters of inquiry should be addressed EDITOR, PITMAN'S PHONETIC JOURNAL, PHONETIC INSTITUTE, BATH.

SHORTHAND STUDY.-G. H. W., who proposes to qualify himself for various shorthand certificates, will find all the guidance necessary both in Corresponding Style theory and advanced Reporting Style in "Pitman's Shorthand Instructor." As he proposes to take up the study without the assistance of a teacher, he should check his working of the exercises by the "Key to Instructor'' (price 1s.). He will find " Pitman's Shorthand Dictionary" (price 4s.) extremely useful for reference.

LADY TYPIST.-F. V. inquires what would be a girl's chance of obtaining a living if she attained proficiency in shorthand, typewriting, and book-keeping.-Provided that the girl had received a good education, and had made herself thoroughly proficient, she would have a good prospect of obtaining employment at a satisfactory salary in some business centre. The makers of the typewriter she uses would assist her to secure a position.

VAGUE POINTS IN BOOK-KEEPING EXAMINATION PAPERS.An old correspondent N. D., calls our attention to a point in a recent professional examination paper where it is said "there are goods in dispute £19 35. 9d.," and asks what we think it means.It is by no means easy to answer the question; as, however, the exercise is on the preparation of the statement of affairs of an insolvent trader, we should take it that the idea of the examiner was that this amount was to be taken off the book value of the stock on hand. We purposely abstain from naming the body by which this question was set, but for N. D.'s information we may mention that vagueness and actual error are things always to be looked for in its examination papers.

DISSECTING For Outfitters.-In reply to A. C., we do not think there is any work published dealing exclusively with this point in book-keeping. Pitman's "Advanced Book-keeping" (price 2s. 6d.) has some chapters on the subject, and we think our correspondent would find this work sufficiently explicit for his purpose.

TEXT-BOOK OF PHYSIOGRAPHY.-F. M. asks for a complete work on Physiography.-Chisholm has no book on Physiography alone, but there is no treatise on the market so excellent as the new edition of his "Handbook of Commercial Geography" (Longmans, price 10s. net). Physical Geography is well treated in Marr's "The Scientific Study of Scenery (Methuen, price 6s.), Huxley's "Physical Geography" (Macmillan, price 6s.), Mills' "Realm of Nature" and Somerville's " "Physiography (2 vols.) For all practical examination purposes there is enough in "Pitman's Commercial Geography"; all the others can be obtained from Mudie's and most public libraries.

HANDWRITING FOR CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS.-Alva encloses a specimen for valuation, according to the Second Division standard. This is a matter on which our correspondent should seek advice and preparation at Pitman's Metropolitan School or some similar institution. His writing is worth about 65 %, but many of his letters are fantastic, notably p, w and b, and there are blind loops. The marks do not depend upon the writing of the Statement alone, the general neatness of several other papers is taken into account.

CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENT.-A. S. is twenty years of age, has five years' business experience, knows French, German,

shorthand and typewriting, and is learning Spanish. To improve his position he would like to enter the Civil Service. He is too old for the Second Division, where two languages and shorthand with book-keeping would be useful, as he would have ready for service three of the four possible optional subjects. He could sit for the Excise examination next November, and repeat the attempt until he is 22 years of age, but his languages, etc., would not help him for that educational test. The subjects are English Composition (Essay and Précis-writing) including Orthography (600 marks); Handwriting: Elementary Arithmetic; Higher Arithmetic; and Geography, 400 each. To make sure of a place A. S. would have to score nearly 80 per cent. all round. Why not try for the Excise, and failing that look for a post as foreign correspondent. Foreign correspondents with two or more languages, other than French and German, are scarce, and, consequently, are well paid.

ENGLISH GRAMMAR.-F. C. E. propounds several grammatical queries. He is preparing for an examination, and if he has not had it, and there is time, we should advise some coaching in English grammar. The expression, "There is 4s. owing," troubles him. If the sentence is put another way, with the inclusion of the words understood, our correspondent will discover that "is" is quite correct, thus, "There is [the sum of] 48. owing." F. C. E. further appears to be a little uncertain about a gerund, which is a verbal noun. By whichever name it is called, it must be preceded by a possessive adjective. The sentence, "This sheet must be produced each time that an account is rendered," is correct. The relative pronoun "that" is the right word to use here, because it is necessary to join the antecedent "time" to the clause which follows.-Ambition should endeavour to obtain instruction in grammar either at classes or from a teacher. This would be more helpful to him in overcoming his defects than the private study of a grammar book.

TICKET WRITING.-In reply to W. E. S.'s inquiry of 29th Aug., L. B. M. recommends "How to write Signs, Tickets, and Posters," edited by Paul N. Hasluck (Cassell & Co., price is.).

CHARTA.-R. M. inquires about the pronunciation of this word and questions the pronunciation shown in our " List of Similar Words," namely, kar'ta. This is, however, the only pronunciation sanctioned by any of the authorities.

PRIVATE SECRETARY.-Somerset, who is a shorthand-typist in a solicitor's office, inquires as to her chances of obtaining a position as private secretary. Posts of this kind are usually secured through personal recommendation, and if our correspondent makes known to any influential friends her desire to obtain a position of this kind, an appointment might result. There are, of course, other qualifications expected in a private secretary beyond what may be termed ordinary business ability. Whether the prospect of obtaining one of these desirable positions is near or comparatively remote, every shorthand-typist would do well to qualify himself or herself for such a post. The subject is fully discussed in "How to Become a Private Secretary" (Fisher Unwin, price is.). A knowledge of modern languages is not an absolutely essential qualification, but our correspondent should avail herself of the opportunity of joining any class in French or German.

LADY CLERK'S DUTIES.-B., who is employed in a country solicitor's office in Ireland, and does most of the correspondence, inquires whether she is obliged to stamp and post the letters and despatch telegrams, as no messenger boy is employed.-If the post office is near her work, and there is a daily posting of letters only, with telegrams few and far between, the inconvenience and the loss of time would be inconsiderable, and our correspondent would be well advised to discharge the duty without any demur. But if there are several despatches of letters during the day, with numerous telegrams, then the proper course would seem to be to suggest that an office boy be engaged for the above and similar errands.

PRONUNCIATION.-Perplexed calls attention to the want of uniformity exhibited by an English dictionary in the pronunciation of the words diphthong and diphtheria.-In both words Dr Murray and the best authorities pronounce ph as f, thus dif'thong, difthe'ria.

HANDWRITING.-Penmanship's handwriting is suitable for Civil Service requirements, but he should loop g and y, and make

the stroke of a uniformly longer than t. His method of finishing the first two letters would be considered very unsatisfactory. Attention should also be paid to the improvement of capitals.Cinchona is using a nib with which he should be able to do good work; only by doing a series of careful exercises could he develop his hand into a satisfactory style. Pitman's "Business Handwriting" (price is.) might be studied with advantage. His question relative to memory training should be addressed to Mr Pelman direct.-J. W. B. makes his loops too large; he should confine himself to writing small e in one style only, and that the usual way; flourishes should be avoided. If attention is paid to these points, he may, with a little more care in the formation of his letters generally, greatly improve the appearance of his writing. The handwriting of S. S. would be much improved if he made a distinction between thick and thin strokes and wrote small d and g in the customary way. Capital 7 should be looped, otherwise it is impossible to distinguish it from capital I.-A. T.'s handwriting may with a little trouble be developed into a very good style; capitals need improvement.-B. W. requires lessons in handwriting.-G. L. B., R. E., and J. H. W. write fairly good hands, which would be improved by practice with Vere Foster's Bold Writing Series No. 15 copy book.-Rupert writes a good running hand suitable for business purposes.-A. V. (Ontario) should cultivate an upright hand, avoiding backward slope, and writing smaller and with more regularity. He should practise with a good copy book containing headlines of upright writing, which he could probably obtain at any scholastic booksellers.With a little care, Ambition could develop his handwriting into an excellent business style.-C. W. writes a useful hand, and if he devoted some time to practice he might improve it greatly for commercial purposes. He should use Vere Foster's Bold Writing Series No. 19 copy book as a model.-W. T. might easily make his writing more suitable for a legal office by avoiding flourishes, and especially flourished capitals. He should aim at a clear bold round hand and loop his letters properly and consistently; g should not be written like q.-" Business Handwriting" recommended above might be studied with advantage by Sunday Companion.

MISCELLANEOUS.-Unless C. H. G. has a considerable amount of time at his disposal, he should confine himself to the study of one modern language and not two. Probably French would prove the most generally useful; he should begin with "Pitman's French Course, Part 1" (price 6d.).-Violet might commence self-study in French with the above work, and for German should procure" Pitman's German Course" (price 6d.).- Felix will find what he requires in "Law of Wills for Testators, or, How to Make a Will" (Effingham Wilson, price is. 6d. net).—The meanings of the terms J. W. B. inquires about are as follows: f.o.r., free on rails; f.o.b., free on board; cf.i., cost, freight, and insurance.-Albion will find the law and practice as to bills of exchange and bills of lading fully dealt with in "Pitman's Business Man's Guide " (price 3s. 6d. net).-The letters about which Quixote inquires, namely, F.S.Sc., mean Fellow of the Shorthand Society; this body is not, however, now in existence.-M. is informed that there is no similar periodical to this Journal in Spanish. There is a shorthand monthly and a typewriting monthly published in Spain, but these could only be procured by subscribing direct.-Smith is desired to note that we do not publish opinions in this column on the shorthand of students; the quality of a learner's shorthand can only be satisfactorily tested by sitting for Pitman's Elementary or Theory Certificate.-If Rupert thoroughly masters the courses in Cassell's "New Popular Educator," he would have laid a substantial foundation for his equipment as a foreign correspondent; typewriting ability is in the present day essential; we cannot advise as to salary.L. C. is informed that on several occasions the ability to write Pitman's Shorthand at the rate of 240 words a minute has been demonstrated; the highest rate for which a certificate has been granted is 250 words a minute.-We are not acquainted with any works on Taal Dutch; probably that recommended to H. J. R. would answer his purpose very well.-G. B. is informed that there is no branch of the Incorporated Society of Shorthand Teachers in Scotland, but he should consult the General Secretary, Mr W. H. Jones, 8 Birch grove, Rusholme, Manchester, about the examinations.-An Irish correspondent, P. J. G., asks us to explain what Kelly's Directories are, and how he can obtain them, with price, etc. These directories are very large works of reference to the English counties, chiefly to be found in public institutions and large offices; the publishers issue the " Royal National Directory of Ireland" (price 40s.), which our correspondent can, no doubt, consult in the chief Irish libraries.-Answers to a number of inquiries are deferred till next week.

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