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NOTICES.

Each Notice should be written on one side only of a separate piece of paper. Every Notice under the head of Correspondence must give full name and address.

Correspondents are requested to write their address clearly in ordinary longhand. If they wish to receive replies in Phonography, a star should be attached to the name; thus, John Smith.*

Notices of all kinds must reach Bath at least eleven days before the date of the Journal for which they are intended.

Every communication addressed to the Editor of this Journal must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer.

Exercises Corrected Gratis (enclose stamped and addressed envelope) by
Cope G. S., 111 Stroud Green rd., London, N.

Cullen T. J., Coolowley, Grogan, Ballybrophy, Queen's Co.
Lyndridge A. W., 48 Norfolk avenue, Southend-on-Sea
Rice H. D., Ark House School, Banbury

Correspondence, etc. 1d. per line of ten words.

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[38]

Sowlay P. Seshagirirao, Fort, Mysore, India, wants literary correspondents abroad.

Advertiser would like to meet with another enthusiastic phonographer for mutual speed practice. Apply Thos. Tollafield, 14 Highdown rd., Hove, Sussex.

Birmingham.-Phonographer here wishes to meet with another for mutual improvement and speed practice at own home. Write: Miss G. Silverston, 24 Clarendon rd., Edgbaston.

Young English gentleman, 18, wishes to correspond with young Colonial of about same age for mutual benefit. F. Baxter, 108 Sixth avenue, Manor Park, London, E.

Correspondence desired with phonographers in all parts of the world. Picture post card or letter. Prompt replies. E. Doherty, R.E. Office, Portobello Barracks, Dublin. (39) Phonographer desires to exchange pictorial post cards, all countries. C. S. Alder, 209 Evering rd., Upper Clapton, London, N.E. [39] Correspondence by picture post card invited; replies to all. D. Webster, 5 Albion st., Morley, Leeds.

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.

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.

Correspondence (shorthand or longhand) desired on pictorial post cards or otherwise, from all parts of the world, prompt replies. Percy Quarmby, 92 Denton rd., Hornsey, London, N., England.

Pictorial post card correspondence desired, good views preferred, home and abroad. Miss G. Roberts, 28 Grove rd., Fenton, Staffs.

Correspondence desired in Pitman's Phonography (Reporting or Corresponding Style). J. W. Cooper, Station House, High Lane, near Stockport. Prompt replies.

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Pictorial post card correspondence desired. All parts except British Isles. Replies same day. Frank Lewis, 148 Shearer rd., Portsmouth. [39] Pictorial post cards. Exchange wanted. Valentine's coloured views only. Prompt replies. Bryan Wilcock, Midland Station, Wombwell, near Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Pictorial post cards exchanged; views or stage preferred; immediate replies, shorthand or longhand. Leslie Thomas, 39 Haven Green, Ealing, London. (42) Pictorial cards (longhand). Miss J. Wilson, 270 Gairbraid st., Glasgow.

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 38 per quarter. All phonographers (ladies or gentlemen) are eligible for membership. Prospectus, with full particulars, on application to Secretary, H. J. Cork, 2 Reedholm road, Stoke Newington, London, N.

[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., 38 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]

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.

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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 for the Psychologic Review Evercirculator, phonographers interested in Spiritualism and kindred phenomena. Articles, discussions, etc. Reporting Style. Wm. J. Millar, 48 Rodney st., Edinburgh. (39) Starting shortly, new Evercirculator, devoted to musical elements and news. Small subscription; particulars. G. S. Cope, M.I.P.S., 111 Stroud Green road, London, N.

New members wanted for the Student's Phonographic Self-Help Evercirculator. Ages not over 18. Annual subscription, including stationery, Is 6d; entrance fee 6d. Alfred Gowers, 70 Upper North st., Poplar, London.

The Gordon Shorthand Library circulates all the shorthand magazines. Subscription, 6d per month; 1s 3d per quarter. A month's trial solicited. Conductor, A. T. Bean, 1 Victoria road, Stoke Newington, London, N. The best Library is the Telegraph, established ten years, circulating all the magazines, including Australian magazine; quarterly subscription, Is 3d; always vacancies, particulars stamp. Conductor, J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London. [43]

The 20th Century Commercial Library, over 160 books available for the use of members. Shorthand, typewriting, French, German, Spanish, and commercial books, together with copies of all English and foreign shorthand magazines. Subscription one penny per week. Splendid opportunity of studying large selections of works at a small cost. Full particulars for stamp. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London. Š.E. [43] Second-hand Books, Shorthand or Phonetic, for Sale, or Exchange, or Wanted, 1d. 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 Unior. square, New York, U.S.A. [39]

For sale, Reporter, Reporting Exercises, Phonographic Reader, Progressive Studies, Vicar of Wakefield (Corresponding Style), the lot postfree 3s. J. W. Cooper, Station House, High lane, near Stockport.

For sale, Swan fountain pen, 14c., 10s 6d, for 5s; Pitman's Manual for 9d. W. Williams, Bradford house, Llanelly.

For sale, Robinson Crusoe, 2s 3d; Select Readings, 5d; Teacher, 4d; Reading Lessons, 4d; Mission of Margaret, 2d. M. J. Russell, Irondale, Coatbridge.

For sale, Cassell's Popular Educator, 6 vols., 10s; Meadows' New Spanish and English Dictionary, 2s 3d; Spanish Commercial Correspondent, by Dann and Gonzalez (35), 1s 6d; New Spanish Reader, with notes by Sauer and Rochrich (5s), 2s 6d; Hosfield's New Spanish Reader (2s), Is; Sauer's Spanish Conversation-Grammar (5s 6d), and Key (2s), 28 6d the two; Chardenal's French Primer (1s 3d), and First French Course (Is 6d), Is 3d the two; Ever's Applied Mechanics, 9d; Pickwick Papers (Pitman's, Reporting Style), vol. 1 (3s 6d), is 6d; Vicar of Wakefield (Corresponding Style) (2s 6d), is 3d; all the above are well bound, clean, and almost as good as new. Also Professor von Nussbaum's Writer's Cramp Bracelet 8s 6d), quite new, 6s 3d. H. Limbrick, 46 Regent rd., Harborne, Birmingham.

Also

Över 100 books for sale, very cheap, comprising French, German, History, Geography, Shorthand and Miscellaneous. List free. wanted, Rider Haggard's novel Beatrice, cheap. R. Patey, 5 Ashbourne Grove, Chiswick.

Wanted No. 13, to end of vol. 61 of Pitman's Phonetic Journal, state price to Talbot, St James row, Sheffield.

For sale, Cassell's Encyclopædia, 20th Century edition. 8 vols. Cost 48s, will take 30s. Entirely new, never used. E. Bricknell, 22 Ellys rd., Coventry.

Pitman's Shorthand Dictionary, 20th Century edition, new 3s; Progressive Studies, 6d; Phonographic Reader, 3d; Æsop's Fables, 3d. Lot 38 6d. Campion, Bromyard, Worcester.

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.

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.

For sale, 6 vols. Phonographic Pulpit, bound, as good as new. What offers ? A. T. Eyre, 14 Hinckley rd., Leicester. Wanted, used English stamps in exchange for shorthand magazines and volumes, English and American. Geo. Birtwhistle, 7 Gainsborough rd., Liverpool. [38] Several vols. Pitman's Shorthand Weekly, unbound, clean, and perfect, also law books, cheap. R. Tose, Ingramgate. Thirsk.

For sale, Pitman's Commercial Correspondence (English, French, German), is 3d each; quite new. A. Culley, 83 Kenbury st., Camberwell, London, S. E. [38]

Wanted, itman's Twentieth Century Reporter. For sale, Pitman's Phonographic Reporter, nearly new, is 3d. John Reynolds, Crosby Garrett, Westmoreland.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES.-This Journal may be ordered through any Bookseller, Newsagent, or Railway Bookstall, or by post direct from the Publishers. The terms to all parts of the world are is. 8d. per quarter; 3s. 3d. per half year; or 6s. 6d. per year, payable in advance. Subscriptions may commence with any number. Monthly parts, 5d., post-free 7d.; terms of subscription same as above.

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The importance of the envelope in modern life is realized by very few. It is, we believe, one of the inventions that the Nineteenth century bestowed upon us. Our forefathers, when they wrote letters, employed large sheets of the size of that which is still technically termed "letter paper," as distinguished from "note paper" so-called. And they ingeniously folded the paper so that its contents were secure from prying eyes, and when this was done they fastened it down with wafers, sealed it with wax, and addressed it. The process was a slow one, but as a rule it was gone through with care. It required a certain "knack," as anyone may discover by trying uninstructed, to perform the various operations, and particularly the folding, neatly and accurately. When the gummed envelope came upon the scene, the matter was simplified. Bearing in mind the natural and rapid growth of correspondence since the advent of this modern contrivance, the aggregate saving of time that it has been the means of effecting is enorAnd yet if we were disposed to be pessimistic, we should say that the envelope has not been an unmixed blessing. The very fact that it is a thing quite detached from the letter that it covers has made it a source of danger-and looking at the available statistics, a really considerable source of danger.

mous.

The annual report of the Postmaster-General contains every year a mass of information as to the quantities of letters and other articles found in the post-office letter boxes, which it is impossible for the authorities, for

one reason or another, to deliver to the persons for whom they were intended. The figures are huge, and surprise everybody who comes across them for the first time. Letters, cheques, bank-notes, share certificates, deeds, valuable securities, and almost every conceivable kind of document: these things are found loose, bereft not only of any envelope, but of any indication as to their intended destination, and, in many cases, without any indication either of the name or address of the sender. Letters carefully enclosed in envelopes but not addressed to anybody, and addressed envelopes without any contents are of common every. day occurrence. These facts show how little the importance of the envelope is realized.

There are many things that ought to be borne in mind by all users of envelopes. In the first place, these letter-covers should be strong enough to be practically free from liability to damage in the post. The thin flimsy articles that are too often employed, break at the ends, and discharge their contents into the crowded letter-box. They are not hardy enough to keep themselves intact when shaken and jostled, as they inevitably are, in the postman's bag. And when the proper kind of envelope is obtained, care should be taken to see that it is properly addressed. In the business office every envelope should be examined after it has been addressed, to see that the address is correct and complete. It is so easy in the hurry of business to make a little mistake, and a very small mistake on an envelope may send the letter entirely astray. Before the envelope is closed, an equal amount of care should be taken to see that the right letter is inserted, and that all" enclosures" that are meant to accompany it have been inserted too. And when these requisites have been attended to, it should be seen that the envelope is securely fastened and properly stamped before despatch. Many a letter is lost in the post, and many valuable contents-bills of exchange and bank-notes among the number-have gone astray, because pains were not taken to fasten the envelope completely.

c And when a letter is received, the envelope has still an important part to play. People open their letters hurriedly, and in their haste are apt to throw away part of the contents when they pitch the envelope into the waste-paper basket. An envelope should always be thoroughly opened to make sure that it contains nothing more than has been already extracted from it. Not until this has been ascertained beyond doubt should the envelope be thrown aside. Some cautious firms never destroy envelopes, but attach them to the letters which they enclose, and retain them. Sometimes a serious point turns on the time when a letter was posted, and the post-mark on the envelope affords valuable evidence. In that case the envelope becomes a thing of very great importance.

Mr R. B. Seccombe, F.I.P.S. (teacher's diploma), has again been appointed shorthand lecturer at the Smethwick Municipal Technical School.

Mr W. H. Oliver, who gave the instruction last winter, has been re-appointed teacher of shorthand in the evening continuation classes of the New Mills School Board Technical Committee. There were six applicants for the post.

The stenographic record of the Humbert trial was entrusted to a corps of Parisian judicial shorthand writers, under the direction of M. Félix Harang. Members of the corps each took notes for ten minutes, which they dictated to typists, the respective transcripts being completed within a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes of leaving the court.

From the proceedings of the National Shorthand Reporters' Convention, held at Cincinnati, Ohio, last month, an idea is obtained of the position of legal note takers in America. A report was presented from the Executive Committee which urged upon the delegates the necessity of bringing influence to bear upon Congress to pass a bill giving official recognition to shorthand reporters in the United States courts. Although stenographers are used in these courts at the pleasure of the judges, there is no statutory provision for their employment.

At a special meeting of the Hartlepool Education Committee recently, a report from the Board of Education on the Galley's Field Evening Classes was presented. H.M. Inspector's opinion on certain classes, including shorthand, was that they appeared to be too large, but "shorthand had been well taught." The Committee re-appointed Mr D. Clarke as shorthand teacher. In the discussion, Mr Oliver stated that one of H.M. Inspectors went so far as to say that the Galley's Field school was one of the best in the country.

There is noticeable originality in the contents and get-up of the illustrated prospectus for the coming season of Paton's Dundee School of Shorthand, Typewriting, Book-keeping and Business Training, 41 Reform street. In addition to the ordinary business subjects, Mr Paton has arranged for a commercial class and a legal class, free to all students, in which practical guidance will be imparted in the form of lectures to those who are qualifying for positions in commercial and legal offices. The idea is a distinctly good one. In a booklet entitled "Footprints, and how to make them," the advantages of commercial education are effectively enforced by the Principal.

A new prospectus of an extremely effective description has just been issued in connection with Hendry's Glasgow Business College, 9 Cumberland street (South). This takes the form of a handy sized booklet printed on art paper, containing well arranged information relative to a score of subjects of instruction, proficiency in which is necessary for success in the leading commercial, Civil Service, and professional examinations. The work is illustrated with a portrait of the Principal, Mr J. G. Hendry, and views of the class rooms in shorthand and typewriting, etc. It is of interest to note that at the last Society of Arts examination Mr Hendry's students established a Scottish record by securing twentynine first-class certificates, an achievement unprecedented in the annals of Scotch business training establishments.

Mr Peyton T. Eeile, in the September number of the Phonographic Record, reports very favourably on a new dressing for wounds which he has been experimenting with. Dr Fletcher Beach gives a graphic account of his visit to the International Medical Congress at Madrid, and the tour afterwards in the south of Spain in April last. Dr Beach read a paper, in French, on The Care and Treatment of Epileptics in England." He was elected Hon. President of the section for Neurology, Mental Diseases and Criminal Anthropology.

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A praiseworthy effort in the direction of teaching English spelling and pronunciation through the medium of a phonetic classification of the ordinary orthography and the use of diacritic marks, is found in "The Phonic Word List," by Misses S F. Buckelew and M. F. Lewis, of the Public School No. 49, Manhattan, published by Messrs Richardson, Smith and Co., New York. There can be no doubt that the work will prove very helpful in the instruction of children and foreigners in the English language, and teachers are likely to find a compilation of this description absolutely necessary until we get a reformed and enlarged alphabet.

TYPEWRITING NOTES.

According to the Daily Mail "The Army authorities are considering a novel scheme for the instruction of military clerks in typewriting and shorthand. It is proposed to establish a school at Aldershot where these subjects will be taught to soldiers, to whom the accomplishments would be useful. This novel idea will be hailed with satisfaction by many soldier clerks."

Miss S. M. Cooper, who recently passed the advanced typewriting examination in the first-class of the National Union of Teachers, London, has also come out very successfully in the Madras Government Technical Examination in typewriting (Elementary Grade). She has passed this examination in the first-class, standing first among the successful candidates in the Presidency. She can operate all the leading typewriters, and is the head typist under Messrs Y. Narayan and Bros., Madras.

Messrs Y. Narayan and Bros., Esplanade row, Madras, the local secretaries to the Examination Board of the National Union of Teachers (London), sent up thirty-seven candidates in April last for the typewriting examinations of this Board, held in Madras under the chief superintendency of the Rev. Wm. Chree, M.A., B.D., Principal Church of Scotland Mission College, Madras. Twenty-six candidates sat for the Elementary Grade, eight for the Intermediate Grade and three for the Advanced Grade examinations in typewriting. All of them passed. Among the successful candidates in the Elementary Grade thirteen passed in first-class, thirteen second class; Intermediate Grade, two in first-class and six in second-class. The three candidates in the Advanced Grade all passed in first-class.

The following statement of a professional typewriter operator and teacher is reproduced in T. P.'s Weekly in regard to the alleged overcrowding of the shorthand and typewriting market: The market is flooded by illiterate, uneducated, and consequently incompetent, typists; but the competent are still much in demand, and there is an excellent opening for well-educated ladies. The chief cause of the incompetency is a want of thoroughness. Most people can tap the keys of the typewriter, and typewrite after a fashion, even with no instruction and little practice. Hence arises the delusion that typewriting is extremely easy, and that anybody can become a professional typist. Thus, business-men buy their machines, and their clerks send out a mass of slovenly and carelessly typed matter; the guardians of the board schools invest in typewriters wholesale, and do their best to encourage ignorant and illiterate persons to learn a smattering of typewriting to earn a genteel and remunerative livelihood. So long as this false notion concerning typewriting and typists exists, so long will inferior work and inferior typists flood the market. It cannot be too widely known and understood that only a well-educated, wellread, and intelligent girl should take up shorthand and typewriting as a means of making a living, and that for even such a girl the acquirement means a long term of drudgery and preparation.'

It is, perhaps, remarkable that the typewriter manufacturers do not, as a body, more strenuously endeavour to

maintain the status of the typist. The better-known companies do, indeed, do everything in their power to keep salaries up and incompetency down. They in some cases decline to enter a position on their books to which only a nominal salary attaches. On the other hand, they decline to enter the names of operators who are not properly equipped. But some of the companies are too ready to find operators at any price. This is a fatal mistake; for one thing is certainthat the incompetent operator is unfair to the machine. The expert will turn out three or four times as much work in a given time, and yet leave the machine in far better condition than the clumsy, inefficient operator. The typewriter companies have everything to gain and nothing to lose by maintaining the status of work and wages

PITMAN'S METROPOLITAN SCHOOL.

RESULTS OF SOCIETY OF ARTS GERMAN

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* A new examiner was appointed in this year, and the character of the paper entirely changed.

f This year one candidate did not succeed in passing, this being the solitary failure in eleven years.

I.P.S. TYPISTS' SECTION.

The second examination instituted by this section was held on 18th July at London, Gloucester, Oxford, and Bandon (co. Cork). There were 23 candidates, the same number as at the previous examination, but on this occasion there was an increase in the number of candidates for the teacher's diploma. These all sat at Clark's College, Chancery lane, London, EC. (kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by the Principal). The examiners in attendance were Messrs A. E. Morton, C. H. Kirton, and G. Colebourn (secretary). The results are as follows:-Teachers', honours, 1; pass, 3; failed, 2. Typists', senior, o; junior, 6; failed, 10. Shorthand-Typist Clerks', senior, 1.

The following is the list of those who passed, arranged alphabetically at each centre, and not necessarily according to merit, the candidate's examination number being added in parenthesis (s = senior, j = junior) :

LONDON.

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The next examination will be held on Saturday, 5th December. Centres will be formed wherever approved supervision can be arranged. Entries should be received not later than 20th Nov.

At a committee meeting held on 1st September the following were elected members of the section:-Misses O. Yorke, N. Bromley, G. E. Stubbs, M. M. Harris, M. M. Lathom Browne, Mrs H. Owen, Messrs J. G. Rushbridge, F. Wright (all London), Mrs A. C. Tyler (Gloucester), Miss G. Kirby (Middlesbrough), Messrs H. J. Pearson (Tonbridge), F. W. Ellis (Tunbridge Wells), A. O. Eaves (Harrogate), and H. Menzies (Kingston). The question of the qualifications for fellowship of the section (to come into operation on the 1st January, 1904) was settled, subject to confirmation by the Council of the I.P.S.

CIVIL SERVICE NOTES.

BY A CIVIL SERVANT.

There seems to be some misconception as to what the Civil Service Commissioners mean when they quote the age limits of candidates for Boy Clerkships say, as 15-17: Except where it is otherwise stated, candidates for Civil Service examinations must be between the prescribed limits on the first day of the examination in question, and a boy could sit for a Boy Clerks' examination which began on the 15th or the 17th anniversary of his birth, or for an examination which fell between those dates, but for no other.

A Boy Clerks' examination, upon the result of which it is not likely that fewer than 300 appointments will be made, is announced to take place on 10th November. Applications should be made at once for forms, which must be returned to the Secretary, Civil Service Commission, London, W, not later than 22nd October. Age limits, 15-17; pay to commence 15s. per week; hours, seven daily, with a half holiday on alternate Saturdays. Boy Clerks obtain an allowance of marks, according to their length of service, when competing for Second Division Clerkships and all the vacancies for Assistant Clerkships (Abstractors) in the Civil Service are reserved for them.

Two Assistant Clerks in the Savings Bank Department, Kensington, Messrs E. S. Ridout and J. E Ridgwell, have been specially promoted to the Second Division, and one similar promotion, that of Mr D. Hanneford, has been made at the Charity Commission.

The result of the examination for 25 appointments as Clerk (Supplementary Establishment) G.P.O. has just been published, and it is understood that although no vacancies in the Secretary's Office were offered, the first four are to be appointed there at a commencing salary of £100 per annum. Seven of the 25 were successful despite the fact that they undertook the examination with one subject, the second language, short-a feat which will probably be impossible next time, and the last successful candidate scored 2,272 marks out of 3,900, being 772 behind No. 1. There were 88 competitors.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS

ANNOUNCED.

SECOND DIVISION CLERKSHIPS. Age 17-20. 150 vacancies. 24th Sept. FEMALE SORTERS. Age 15-18. 35 vacancies. 8th Oct. BOY CLERKSHIPS. Age 15-17. About 300 vacancies. 22nd Oct. Applications for forms of entry, which must be returned on or before the date quoted above, should be made to the Civil Service Commission, Burlington gardens, London, Postage need not be paid.

THEIR WORK.

THE BIRKBECK INSTITUTION.

(Concluded from page 725.)

In the first part of our account of the Birkbeck Institution we confined ourselves chiefly to a general description of its history, growth, policy, and the character of its work. It will be of interest, therefore, to supplement this with more particular information concerning the subjects taught, prizes and scholarships offered, examinations prepared for, the various departments into which the building is divided, its clubs and other forms of recreation, and some reference to the influential personnel which has always given a character to the Institution.

various floors the space is divided up into spacious wellSOME EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND lighted and well-appointed class-rooms, there are many lecture rooms, and on the ground floor in the rear is a spacious theatre capable of accommodating 1,200 persons. In fact, one of the things which strikes one about the internal arrangements of the Birkbeck as compared with the external appearance, is the amount of space available for all the more important branches of the Institution's work, and at the same time, one is bound to add, the way in which this space is made the most of, where it might, as the Principal suggests, very well be doubled and still be occupied. One of the most noticeable features on the scientific side of the work of the class-rooms is the excellence of the equipment of laboratories with scientific apparatus of a high standard of excellence and of modern character, and for this great advantage in the practical work of the Institution it is indebted to the liberal treatment of the Technical Education Board of the London County Council. The scientific side, from the chemistry in the upper floors to the metallurgy in the basement, is thoroughly well equipped. At the same time, the part of the Institution which would probably most interest the casual visitor is the School of Art, which forms almost an institution in itself. In the spacious saloons, with students dotted about here and there, working among statuary and models, you are at once transferred from the ordinary class-room to the environment of an art gallery.

As to subjects which may be studied with advantage at the Institution, we can only indicate some of the principal. In the English and Commercial section, economics, bookkeeping, shorthand, and elocution are leading in numbers, but commercial geography and numerous other subjects have a strong place. In languages French is a long way first, followed by German, Latin, Spanish, Italian, and Greek. In the Law classes are such subjects as bankruptcy and commercial law, conveyancing and equity; in Mental and Moral Sciences, political economy leads the way; there is also provision for music-vocal, theory and instrumental. It is, however, in the Sciences that the Institution comes out so strongly. In this department the subjects number over thirty, and range from biology to building construction, from botany to gold assaying, from the various branches of chemistry to land surveying, from mathematics to metallurgy, and from steam and geology to zoology, mineralogy, hygiene, electricity, sound, light, heat, etc. In the Art School also there is a great variety of subjects taught, from freehand and geometrical drawing to still life painting, from drawing from life and antique anatomy to modern black and white for the Press; modelling, designing, wood carving, wood staining, art needlework, are also included.

Altogether, the Birkbeck gives to its students an extraordinary curriculum of about seventy-five subjects to choose from, Science and Art being the governing elements of the curriculum. The total number of students now in attendance is 3,171, of whom 2,189 are males and 982 females. The Council of the Institution offers liberal rewards for diligence. These include two Birkbeck scholarships, two Gilchrist Day scholarships, twenty Ravenscroft Exhibitions, fifteen Council studentships, seven Birkbeck prizes of three guineas each, and various prizes in books. The award of these prizes is determined by the results of the examinations for which the students work. The chief examinations for which the students prepare and enter are the degree examination of the University of London, the Conjoint Board Examination for the Medical profession; London University, the Extension Board, Board of Education, Science and Art Examinations, for which in the different branches of arts and science a very large number of students enter; the Society of Arts, Civil Service, Law Institution, Bankers' Institute, and to some extent the London Chamber of Com

merce.

The building in which the work of the Institution is carried on does not, externally and by its situation, give a fair impression of the vast extent and variety of the work carried on within its walls. You have no sooner entered the building, however, than you become aware of the intellectual atmosphere which pervades the whole place. In the entrance hall the first object which arrests the attention is the foundation stone of the old building laid "on the second of December, 1824, being the first anniversary of the establishment of the London Mechanics' Institution, by George Birkbeck, M.D., President." So runs the inscription, which is followed by the names of the Vice President and other officers and the Committee of that day. On the right of the hall is the Library, and on the left is the Reading Room. On the

"And what provision have you for the social side, and for recreation," we asked the Principal.

"We have not room for very much social work. There is just a tea room which serves for refreshments and for a place where students can play a game of chess; there is, of course, the Reading Room, a magazine room, and the library-all the rest is devoted to lectures and practical work. The Popular Wednesday Evening is, however, still maintained. It was one of the early features of the Institution."

The program for this Popular Wednesday Evening, we learned, consists of lectures and entertainments, for which members' tickets give free admission-concerts, illustrated lectures by eminent men, and entertainments by the elocution class, which, by the way, is a class in which a good many eminent speakers have learned the art of speaking under competent direction. The above are the provisions made by the Institution itself, but, in addition to this, there are several societies and circles among students. There is, for instance, the Birkbeck Natural History Society, in connection with the class in Zoology, Botany, and Geology: the Birkbeck Science Society, for the reading and discussion of papers on scientific subjects, and there is also a Chess Club, which plays matches with other institutions. The Institution has a vacation from the end of July to the end of September, and generally the session opens with a lecture by some eminent man. Last year it was Sir Arthur Rücker, Principal of the London University; this autuma Dr Emil Reich will give an inaugural address on "The National value of the study and teaching of History."

The characteristic note of the Birkbeck has been from the beginning the high standard of what may be called its personnel. From the famous Dr Birkbeck, its founder, all through the eighty years which have elapsed it has had the support of eminent men. In the reading room there is a striking portrait of the originator, Dr Birkbeck, and in the Council room are portraits of his son, the second Dr Birkbeck, Master of Downing College, Cambridge, who was second President, Lord Northbrook, the third President, H.R.H. the late Duke of Albany, and the late Mr Francis Ravenscroft, and other supporters. A number of interesting personal reminiscences of past students were given to us by the Principal, of which we may quote the following. Professors Tyndall and Huxley were among the supporters of the Institution, and Prof. Tyndall spoke of the place as an "evening University"; only a few years ago Lord Kelvin, the eminent scientist, delivered an address at the Institution and mentioned the very interesting fact that he had got his first impulses towards science at the Andersonian Institution in Glasgow, founded by Dr Birkbeck.

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