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Dear Sir, I beg to enclose a prospectus of the North of England Fire Assurance Company, and should | much esteem the favour of a line from you as to whether you would be in a position to act as one of the Company's representatives. In such a case I shall be pleased to forward you the scale of fees and commissions allowed (which I may mention is a very liberal one), together with any other information you may | desire to have preliminary to arranging an agercy appointment. Perhaps | you may be aware that the North of England is (1) one of the oldest and largest Companies in existence. It was established in the year 18or with a fully subscribe! capital of one and a half millions sterling. The Company has assets of about three million pounds, | consisting of Government, real, and other firstclass securities. As a consequence policy holders have ample and first-class security They incur no liability whatever under the Company's contracts. Claims of upwards of fifteen millions sterling have been paid by the Company during its one hundred years' existence. The Company | is represented in nearly all the large towns in the (2) North of England, but Stockport is one of the exceptions. | I shall be very pleased therefore, if you will give the matter your favourable consideration. I could arrange for a personal interview at any time within the next fortnight which may be mutually convenient to us. I remain, yours faithfully, (250)

HONOURING MR BENN PITMAN. PRESENTATION OF A JUBilee gold MEDAL. The golden shorthand jubilee in America of Mr Benn Pitman, the eldest surviving brother of the Inventor of Phonography, has been celebrated by an interesting presentation on behalf of the shorthand writers of America, which took place at one of the sittings of the National Shorthand Reporters' Convention at Cincinnati, Ohio, on 19th August. After the reading of papers

By unanimous vote a full membership in the association was conferred upon Mr Benn Pitman, of Cincinnati, and Mr Moses Lobo, of Philadelphia. Mr Lobo was the first pupil taught by Mr Pitman in America, and the time of in truction was 50 years ago. For a number of years past Mr Lobo bas been the official reporter of the Pennsylvania Legi lature. Both he and Mr Pitman responded with short speeches

The annual banquet in the evening was attended by all the members of the Convention. Mr Edward V. Murphy (official reporter of the United States Senate) presided as toastmaster, and Bishop J. M. Wa'den delivered the invocation. Among the speakers were Mr Benn Pitman, whose toast was "Reminiscences;" Mr Charles C. Beale, of Boston, who spoke on 'Hobbies;" Miss Frances Hoover, of St Louis, whose subject was "Beyond the Mississippi," and Mr C. T. Morrison, who sounded the praise of "The Southland." At the conclusion of the banquet President Beale, on behalf of the association, presented Mr Pitman with a gold medal as a token of the esteem and admiration of the members. The venerable recipient responded most feelingly. The medal was accompanied by a resolution bearing the signatures of all the foremost American exponents of the art of shorthand writing.

THE NECESSITY OF SPELLING REFORM.

The Rev. J. Foxley, Carlton Rectory, Worksop, addressed an interesting and important letter to the Sheffield Daily Telegraph of 1st Sept. on the reform of English spelling. He points out how large an amount of the school time of every English child is wasted in mastering "this ridiculous stuff "; not only so, but his natural powers of learning and thinking are blunted or checked, while many never learn it at all. Would not, he asks, scientific spelling do something towards checking the horrible cockney dialect which is already spreading itself far into the Midlands, calling a great lake a grite like, a lady a lidy, and the Daily Mail the "Dily Mile,'' if not the "Doily Moil"? If we wish English to become what in other respects it has a fair chance of becoming, a universal language, let us have it scientifically spelt, that is, one sound for one letter, and one letter for one sound. All the chief languages of Western Europe are far better spelt than our own; and, in teaching them, more and more stress is laid by good teachers nowadays upon the sounds. The language consists of the sounds, not of the letters. But through there being no systematic connection between English sounds and English letters, each word being represented by a group of letters more or less accidental, English pupils have not been accustomed to distinguish sounds with sufficient care to profit, as they should do, by this new and more scientific mode of teaching languages.

REVIEW.

Shorthand Examination Papers (Theoretical and Speed) of the Society of Arts, Lancashire and Cheshire Union of Institutes, etc. By Joseph T. Warren, F.Inc. S.T., M.I.P.S. Crown 8vo, 84 pp., price 6d. net. Oldham W. E. Clegg, 30 Market place.

This is a useful reprint of a collection of the theory and speed examination papers in shorthand of the Society of Arts, the Lancashire and Cheshire Union, and other examining bodies, arranged in a handy fashion for the use of teachers and conductors of speed classes. The examination papers are prefaced by "Advice to Students," comprising a dozen brief hints of similar tenor to those appearing in the instruction books and elsewhere.

THE TYPIST IN FRANCE.

Le Conseil des Femmes gives some interesting information concerning official and other appointments open in France to women who combine shorthand knowledge with dexterity on the writing machine. Across the Channel the lady typist has already invaded the Government offices. At the Ministry of Commerce in Paris eighteen lady typists are engaged, and it is understood that their number will be shortly increased. Candidates are selected by competition, and those who are engaged receive salaries that begin at 1 800 francs (72) and rise to a maximum of 3,000 francs (£120) per

annum.

Eight lady typists are engaged in the office of the "Administration Generale de l'Assistance Publique." Appointments have been hitherto made by the Director by selection from among candidates who have previously passed a "provisional examination." The salaries are 1,800 francs (or £72) per annum.

Six lady typists are employed by the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers, and one in the Ministry of Agriculture. It is expected that similar posts will be created before long in the office of the Prefecture of the Seine and also in the French Colonial Office.

Outside the Government departments the lady typist has made her way extensively. In Paris and the large towns of France, she is to be met with in banks, insurance offices, lawyers' and notaries' offices, and publishing houses; but it is in the world of commerce that she finds the largest demand for her services. There is not a commercial house of any importance that has not nowadays one or more typewriters and one or more typists to operate them.

What are the salaries generally paid? These are stated to range from about 120 francs (about £4 16s.) to 200 and even 250 francs a month (8 to £10, equal to £96 to £120 per annum). It is pointed out, however, that the higher salaries are only received by those who possess special knowledge-for instance, book-keeping, foreign languages, etc. A few cases in point are cited. For instance, at the Swiss Bank in Paris, a young lady typist, well acquainted with the English language has a salary of 200 francs (8) per month. Another, engaged in a house carrying on a business connected with "electricity" receives 250 francs (10) a month: she undertakes the English correspondence of the firm. A third, in the service of one of the large industrial companies as manageress of the correspondence department, having ten shorthand typists under her, receives 300 francs (12) per month.

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Secretaries to inventors, literary men, medical men, and deputies, it is pointed out, need considerable intellectual culture and great power of assimilation" in order to initiate themselves rapidly into the technique of their occupations. These are confidential posts and are considered to be fairly well remunerated. The instances cited are of a medical specialist who gives his lady secretary 175 francs (£7) a month and her board, and a surgeon who pays 300 francs (12) monthly.

Teaching the subjects-shorthand and typewriting-does not seem to be generally a lucrative occupation, the reason assigned being the large amount of gratuitous instruction given. The sum of 75 to 125 francs a month is mentioned as the pay of "professors" at the institutes or "paying schools," and it is added that this work is almost entirely entrusted to men. Women undertake the teaching in the commercial classes for girls conducted by the municipality. The remuneration is not large, but the posts are of value for other reasons. The writer mentions that an active and intelligent woman of his acquaintance, a professor at one of these classes, by taking private pupils as well, is able to earn from 4,000 to 5,000 francs (£160 to £200) per annum, but he adds that this is exceptional.

The "copying office" as we know it in this country, seems to be spreading in France, and from the author's detailed description appears to be conducted on very much the same lines as with us.

THE CARE OF THE TYPEWRITER.

BY "A LADY MEMBER OF THE PROFESSION."

A short time ago I addressed to the lady readers of this Journal (who are typists) an article on the duties of young lady typists, and I intend to again trespass on their good nature to hear me out" on the subject of the "Care of the typewriter," for this is a subject which, perhaps, has scarcely received the attention it deserves. Recently I was greatly interested in listening to a long harangue by a typewriter mechanic on this subject, and received from him some valuable information, which I will endeavour, to the best of my ability, to transmit in this article.

At the outset my informant mentioned that, in the course of his experience, he had met comparatively few typists who took sufficient interest in their machines to warrant the expenditure of even a little time or trouble in keeping them in order, and particularly do they offend, it seems, in the matter of lubricating. Said the mechanic, " They either oil to excess or show a disinclination to oil at all, and in one or two cases where we have advised that a little oil should be applied to the typewriter, it has been done to so great an extent as to positively clog the working parts. As a natural consequence we have resolved to disparage oiling for the future." This, surely, is not the correct state of things. It seems a thousand pities that a typewriter should run the risk of being spoilt merely because the operator will not expend a little time and attention upon its maintenance.

It is, and ever must be, an absolute impossibility for a badly working machine to produce good work, and the aim and object of every typist, if she be worthy of the name, must be to produce first-class work. Five minutes, or at the most ten, each morning will be all that is required for the cleaning of the machine; with an extra lubrication (which should include the bearings) say every month.

First of all the typewriter should be well dusted, and, if a new ribbon or pad be in use, it will be found necessary to remove the accumulation of ink and dust from the types with a pin before brushing with the small brush supplied for the purpose. Then as to oiling (and now I quote from the manual of instruction), The top rods upon which the carriage runs, and by which it is guided, ought to be cleaned every day by wiping with a cloth slightly saturated with oil, but only the slightest trace of oil should be left upon the surface." Oil the dogs frequently, but slightly, for if too much oil be applied here it will clog the working, and, as experience will have taught most of us ere this, "the dogs are responsible for a good deal of trouble and easily get out of order.

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In the case of a ribbon machine be careful to see that the ribbon does not fray (as may happen after the ribbon has been in use for some little time), or it will wind round the spool and prevent the same running freely. Always have in stock a piece of chamois leather, for keeping the plated parts of the machine bright. Some typewriter manufacturers sell cloths specially for polishing, but chamois leather will be found excellent for this purpose.

Endeavour to understand the principle of the typewriter you are using, so that, if at any time, some little thing get out of order, you may be able to adjust it; on the other hand, however, do not delay sending for a mechanic if you find, after a reasonable time, that you are not able to get to the root of the difficulty.

And while we are on the subject of adjustment, may I give my readers a word of warning against constant tampering with the tension. This is a common error into which many young typists fall. They have an idea that if their machines do not run quite smoothly the tension is wrong, and they either put too much on or take too much off, and, naturally, after this operation the machine runs worse than ever. There is much division of opinion as to the correct amount

of tension required; some say, have a considerable amount on, others as little as possible, and personally, I find that the latter is by far the better; or perhaps it would be more correct to say, a moderate amount of tension. Move the carriage, on reaching the end of a line, swiftly but gently along, and endeavour to avoid bringing it with too great a force against the margin stop. Do not move about the paper clips more than is absolutely necessary, for this has a tendency to injure the springs.

CORRESPONDENCE.

PROPOSED S.W.A. FOR BELFAST.

A movement has been started in Belfast (which has been the subject of correspondence in the local press) for the purpose of forming a Shorthand Writers' and Literary Association. Mr E. J. Beattie, of the Belfast Shorthand Institute, has kindly placed his class-rooms at the disposal of the proposed Association, and has promised to render all the assistance in his power. Persons desirous of taking part in the movement should communicate with Phono," care of Mr E. J. Beattie, Belfast Shorthand Institute, 64 Royal avenue, Belfast.

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PROPOSED S.W.A. FOR HEANOR AND DISTRICT.

Endeavour to cultivate a light touch, and never type letters or other matter (excepting, of course, when making duplicate copies with carbon paper) without a backing sheet. The backing sheet, which may be a second sheet of letterpaper, will help to preserve the cylinder, which, if not protected from the constant_percussion of the types, will soon be the worse for wear. Be careful in typing never to jerk, let every word be as even as possible, and check any tendency to a legato movement of the fingers. The action must essentially be staccato. The former renders the type uneven and impairs the perfect alignment. Good typing is, undoubtedly, a great factor in the preservation of the INC. SOCIETY OF SHORTHAND TEACHERS. typewriter.

In conclusion, may I remind my readers, that, in justice to themselves and their employers, their typewriters demand their care and attention.

BUSINESS TRAINING IN SCOTLAND.

THE NEED OF BETTER EDUCATION.

Sir Henry Craik's Report on Secondary Education in Scotland for the year ending 31st March, 1903, contains the following reference to the need of a good education as preparatory to a business career :

"Your lordships are aware that for some time past there has been growing dissatisfaction in Scotland regarding the defective education of youths entering upon a mercantile career. That dissatisfaction is a thoroughly healthy sign. It means that commercial men are more and more realizing the supreme importance of a sound mental training. The remedy for the present state of affairs lies in their own hands. The educational machinery of the country can never have a fair chance until merchants in a body set their faces against the practice of putting boys into business at thirteen or fourteen, and until, in their selection of apprentices, they give preference and reasonable encouragement to those who can produce evidence of having profited by their school training. It is to this rather than to the institution of fresh examinations that the country must look if it desires that lads should enter business properly equipped for the work of life."

PITMAN'S SHORTHAND CERTIFICATES.

The following Certificates are issued :—

THIRD CLASS or Elementary CERTIFICATE, for thorough know-
ledge of the "Phonographic Teacher":"Shorthand Primer,
Book I."; or 20th Cent." Manual" or "Instructor," as far as
Chap. xvii. Fee 6d. Every student after having worked
through the "Teacher" is recommended to test his knowledge
by applying for this Certificate.
SECOND CLASS OR THEORY CERTIFICATE, for a thorough know-
ledge of the 20th Cent. "Manual"; or Instructor," Chaps.
i-xxvi.; or "Shorthand Primer, Book II." Fee 2s.
FIRST CLASS OR SPEED CERTIFICATE. Speed Certificates are
granted for 60 words per minute and upwards. Fee Is. 6d.
FULL CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY.-When a Second Class
Certificate and a First Class Certificate for 80 words have been
obtained, a Full Certificate is issued, certifying that the holder
has a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of Phono-
graphy. Fee Is.

Forms of Application for the above Certificates, containing full
particulars, can be had gratis and post-free from any of the
Offices of Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd.

Efforts are being made to establish a S.W.A. in Heanor. All interested in the matter are requested to communicate at once with Mr S. Bircumshaw, 136 Ray street, Heanor, Notts.

YORKSHIRE DISTRICT.

The quarterly meeting of the Yorkshire District will be held at the Leeds Institute, Cookridge street, Leeds, on Saturday, 19th September, commencing at 6.30 p.m. A paper, entitled "Textbooks and Practice in Book-keeping and Business," will be given by Mr A. Walker (Leeds), and a discussion thereon will be opened by Mr D. Webster (Morley). A criticism lesson on the doublelength principle will be given by Miss K. Pickard (Bradford). A cordial invitation to attend is extended to all commercial teachers in the district. Further particulars about the meetings and the general work of the Society will be gladly forwarded by the District Hon. Secretary, Mr A. Fletcher, 42 Brudenell Mount, Hyde Park, Leeds.

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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Mr J. Hall Laidler, F.Inc.S.T., has removed his Commercial Academy and School of Shorthand, Typewriting, Book-keeping and Business Training to larger and central premises at 29 Grainger street West, Newcastle-on-Tyne. The new suite of rooms affords unique facilities for instruction in commercial subjects. The latest models of all the leading machines are available, and the business training room is fitted with up-to-date and modern office appliances, in the shape of copying apparatus, filing cabinets, etc. At the recent Society of Arts examination the following were the successful candidates at this centre:Shorthand: 1st and bronze medal, T. W. Woodmass; 2nd, Robertina Smith, W. H. Heppell; 3rd, Lily Clark, R. P. Collins, Annie Lawson, J. B. Lawson, Lois G. Young. Typewriting: Ist, Edith M. Jones; 3rd, Kate Hands, Robertina Smith, Meta Svendsen.

Mr Fred Dodson, F.Inc. S. T., of Swinton, has again been appointed teacher in commercial subjects at the Wath-onDearne Literary and Mechanics' Institute. The subjects taken include shorthand, book-keeping, business methods, and commercial arithmetic. At the recent examination of the Incorporated Society of Shorthand Teachers the following students were successful; 80 words per minute, Messrs W. Milner and G. Temperton; elementary, O. W. Baines. The classes commence on Wednesday, 30th September.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.

BLACKBURN. Academy of Shorthand. Principal, Mr William Mellor (honours diploma). Sub-Principal, Mr R. Eastwood (teacher's diploma), Fellows of the Inc.S.S.T.-This old-established Academy will re-open as follows: Parish Church Schools, Wednesday, 23rd Sept. Elementary and Advanced Classes, con

ducted in separate rooms; hours, 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. Blackburn Technical School, Tuesday and Friday, 22nd and 25th Sept. Elementary, Advanced and Speed Classes, conducted in separate rooms; hours, 7.30 to 9 30 p.m. Students prepared for all examinations. For terms of private tuition in shorthand and typewriting, and any further information, apply to Messrs Mellor and Eastwood, 32 Altom street, Blackburn.

HYDERABAD, Sind, India.-The Literature Society has opened a shorthand class, with Mr Rewachand Vasonmal as teacher, to whom all applications should be addressed. A shorthand library has also been started in connection with the class.

LLANRWST.-Mr T. C. Parry, Tan Lan cottage, Llanrwst, gives instruction in both English and Welsh shorthand (Phonographia). Preparation for Pitman's certificates and for the certificate of the Welsh Phonetic Society. Full particulars on application.

LONDON.

ALDENHAM INSTITUTE, Goldington crescent, Pancras road, N W.-The commercial classes at the above institute will shortly re-open for the session 1903-4. The three shorthand classes-elementary, advanced, and reporting-meet on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 7 to 10, each student in regular attendance receiving two hours' instruction weekly. The fees charged are exceedingly low. Special attention is given to the correction of home work, and to the preparation of candidates for the Society of Arts and Pitman's examinations. The ordinary session extends from Sept. to March, but for the past few years classes have also been held on one evening a week during April, May and June. A pocket syllabus, giving all information, may be obtained by writing to the Secretary.

LONDON.--Buckingham Gate Evening Continuation Schools, Westminster, S. W., now open. Shorthand, book-keeping, French, composition, drawing, arithmetic, etc. Students prepared for Society of Arts, Chamber of Commerce, and N.U.T. exams. Nominal fee for the session. Further particulars on application. LONDON. The Mercantile School of Shorthand and Typewriting Bureau. Principal, Miss E. Frees, F.I.P.S. (honours diploma), 375 Harrow road, Paddington. London, W. Open daily 9 am. to 10 p.m. (Saturday excepted).-Subjects taught: Shorthand, typewriting (including mimeograph), book-keeping, German, commercial correspondence, office routine and business handwriting. Winter session starts 28th September. Preparation now commencing for the Society of Arts and Chamber of Commerce examinations, in connection with which a number of prizes are offered. Private lessons by arrangement. New students admitted at any time. Shorthand library and evercirculators for the use of students. Periodical examinations for Pitman's certificates. Typewriting work undertaken.

SHREWSBURY.-Mr J. Breeze, F.I.P.S. (teacher's diploma), lecturer on shorthand to Shropshire Education Committee, is prepared to give thorough theoretical and practical tuition in shorthand, book-keeping, and office routine to a limited number of students. Address 7 Spa street.

SMETHWICK. MUNICIPAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL.-Session 1903-4 commences on Friday, 18th Sept. Shorthand, elementary class, Monday, 7.20 to 8.20 p.m.; advanced theory class, Monday, 8.35 to 9.30 p.m.; preparatory speed class, Thursday, 7.20 to 8.20 p.m.; higher speed class, Thursday, 8. 30 to 9.30 pm. Further particulars on application. Lecturer, Mr R. B. Seccombe, F.I.P.S. (teacher's diploma).

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.

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ing to the best usage. W. O. P. M. will find that our pronunciation has the sanction of the best dictionaries. The curve of n should rest on the line, thus The form we employ for declarations is the more facile, and it has the advantage of corresponding to the primitive form for declare -The shorthand in this Journal is set from engraved type, and the discrepancy to which R. M. calls attention arose from the use of a wrong type. In Pitman's Shorthand Weekly the shorthand is printed from engraved plates. Boscombe will find that all words with a similar termination to winner are now written with the downward in accordance with the general rule. Either outline may be used for picturesque; our preference is shown in the Dictionary.-If Snowdrop will refer to page 180 of the Instructor, she will see that C is one of a series of three phrases. This particular phrase is formed by the use of well understood abbreviating principles, as our correspondent conjectures, and it is, therefore, not possible to furnish any special explanation regarding it.

SHORTHAND-TYPIST IN BRAZIL.-We will make inquiries and advise Jose further as to the average rate of salary for a shorthand typist in Brazil. In any event, the firm sending out an operator would pay the expenses of passage and outfit, and it is customary to allow the operator half salary during the journey. The question as to whether the expenses of board and lodging would be paid in addition to salary would be entirely a matter of arrangement. It would be usual for any arrangement involving the payment of the passage money to be conditional upon a time agreement-say for one or two years.

CLEANING A TYPEWRITER.-Nolo should devote from five to ten minutes daily to the cleaning of any type-bar typewriter. It should be oiled every day on the carriage rods or tracks, very lightly. Once a month is enough for the other parts, unless there are obvious signs of friction, when oil should be immediately applied. The loss of alignment that Nolo has noticed when writing capitals cannot be connected with insufficient or superfluous oiling. Better send for the mechanic.

TURNOVER. In reply to Anxious Inquirer, this term is commonly used to denote the amount of sales for any given period. If a tradesman says "My weekly turnover is £70," he means that £70 is the average amount of his sales per week. In the supposititious case Anxious Inquirer gives, the turnover would be £55,000. The amounts of purchases, receipts and payments respectively are not taken into consideration.

BOY CLERKSHIPS' AGE LIMITS.-G. G. will be 18 next March, and inquires whether he will be eligible to compete for any Boy Clerks examination held between the present date and his next birthday. The age limits for Boy Clerks are over 15 and under 17 years of age on the first day of the examination, so that G. G. is now six months over the maximum limit and cannot, consequently, sit for this examination. The Second Division and Assistants of Customs are open to him.

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SECOND DIVISION CLERKSHIPS.-Anxious asks us what books he should use for the Second Division Examination (Civil Service) in arithmetic, geography, and English history, and the address of Messrs Eyre and Spottiswoode Unless he studies with the aid of a coach he will only pass this examination after strenuous and sustained effort. He could with advantage wait and procure the books which the "Home Study course renders necessary. If studying alone, he may use "Pitman's Commercial Arithmetic " and "Commercial Geography," 2s. 6d. each, and Ransome's Short History (Longmans). Messrs Eyre and Spottiswoode should be addressed East Harding street, London, E C., but all the books we have ever recommended can be obtained new and secondhand in any large town.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS AND SHORT SIGHT.-R. J. D. desires to enter the Civil Service, but is short sighted.-We have frequently stated that short sight, in a moderate degree, and corrected by the use of proper glasses, is not a bar to entry into the Civil Service. Candidates, however, for the Assistants of Customs, and of course those for Army and Navy appointments, must not be short sighted. In 1900 and 1901 some 23,000 candidates passed, or were exempted from literary examinations, and in the same period 555 only were rejected on medical grounds. Negotiate the competitive examination safely before beginning to tremble over the medical test.

EXCISE SERVICE v. CLERKSHIP ON THe Midland RAILWAY.W. E. J. asks what are the subjects for the examination for Assistants of Excise; would he, if successful, improve his position; and would he have to leave his native town.-The Excise Assistart gets £80 or £90 in his first year, and is practically certain of £250 per annum in the course of time, and without further examination. W. E. J. would, of course, have to serve anywhere in the United Kingdom. The subjects are (1) handwriting, (2) English composition (essay, précis-writing and orthography), (3) arithmetic to vulgar and decimal fractions, (4) higher arithmetic, (5) geography, which carry 400 marks each except No. 2, where 600 is the maximum. There is no possible doubt as to the severity of the competition (usually about 800 candidates to 30 or 40 vacancies), and about 75 per cent, of total marks are necessary for a place. Which is the better post needs no discussion; it is obvious.

LONDON SCHOOL BOARD Clerkships.-G. A. asks whether this appointment is open to residents out of London, where he can obtain the previous examination papers, and how often examinations are held.-The examinations are open to any persons, but examinations are held and appointments made in London only. There are usually two competitions a year, but the papers are not as a rule published. Write to the School Board offices for the regulations, it is quite possible that a revision in the scheme has taken place.

ESTATE AND other DutiES.-W. L. D. calls attention to the statement in " Legal Terms," (page 425), that where the net value of the entire property real and personal on which estate duty is paid does not exceed £1,000 no further duty of any kind is payable, and puts the case of an estate sworn in the first instance as under £1,000, and afterwards proving by sales to be over £1,000, in which case, of course, the estate duty will have to be increased, and legacy duty will be payable. He seems to infer the contrary from our statement. But there is no discrepancy between his statement and that in "Legal Terms." If, as constantly happens, the estate is undervalued in the first instance, and on realization proves to be of greater value, the duty has in every case to be increased. In the case supposed, as soon as the true value had been discovered to be more than £1,000 and the estate duty increased, the estate becomes one on which estate duty has been paid on upwards of £1,000, and the exemption from other duties no longer applies. For the purposes of duty the estate is then on precisely the same footing as if it had been sworn in the first instance as over £1,000.

STUDY OF FRENCH.-J. D. inquires how long it would take a student of average intelligence to acquire by self-tuition a knowledge of the French language.-It is impossible to say, because so much depends on the aptitude of the student and the time he can devote to the study. Our correspondent asks for some hints as to the best methods of procedure. The only general bint we can give of any value is that having taken up the study he should persevere till he is able to read French as easily as English. Conversational ability is not readily acquired without the assistance of a teacher, and if J. D. can obtain such aid at any stage of his study, he should not fail to avail himself of it. For beginning the study an elementary work is desirable, such as Pitman's French Course," Part 1 (price 6d.), for which there is a Key" (price is. 6d.).-R. E. I. J. and N. O. are answered

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TICKET WRITING.-A further reply to W. E. S.'s inquiry has been received from J. G. R., who recommends "Ticket Writing," published by Dawbarn and Ward in the Arts and Crafts series (price 6d).

MIND WANDERING.-Our answer on this subject on 29th Aug. has brought us a letter from F. J. H. B., who is studying for a Civil Service examination, but when he should be engaged in working problems he finds that he is whistling, reading, or doing anything but the work in hand; he is depressed to find only about one hour's work done after four or five hours devoted to it. When he can concentrate his attention he works very well.-We should recommend our correspondent to give shorter periods to study. Four or five hours at a stretch is evidently too long. He should try working for an hour or an hour and a half, and then, after an interval of rest and entire change, have another short sitting with another subject if possible. It is useless and we consider harmful to endeavour to work the brain when it gives signa's of distress.

A QUESTION OF NOMENCLATURE.-Dignity is engaged as a shorthand typist in a manufacturer's office, and is consequently being called a clerk by several who know her. She contends that she is not a clerk, seeing that she is not engaged on books, and asks if she is right or wrong?-Our correspondent is, we think, entitled to be designated either a typist or a "shorthand clerk." But for ordinary use a designation must be brief, even at the expense of some incompleteness as a description. Typists, with very few exceptions, are shorthand writers as well, and, therefore, the word "typist may be considered the briefest and most suitable description for those who do work similar to that in which Dignity is engaged. Few people will use the two words "shorthand typist when one word will express the double qualification. The other term, that of "shorthand clerk,"' is open to the objection that all shorthand clerks are not typists, although at no distant day this will cease to be so. In this connection it is of interest to record the fact that a very large and enterprising company from whom we have received dictated letters handwritten down to the present time, have, we find, at last been conquered by the writing machine; the other day the first typewritten epistle received from them reached our hands.

HANDWRITING.-For commercial purposes Curror should cultivate a somewhat larger and bolder style; he should give up the looping of the small letter p, but he should loop g and y. If these improvements are effected, our correspondent will undoubtedly write a good business hand.-A. M. W. should endeavour to improve his handwriting by the use of a good vertical style copy book. Vere Foster's Upright Series No. 12 would be a useful model. This copy book would also suit J. W. C.-Ivanhoe needs instruction with a view to acquiring a good business style, his handwriting is quite unformed. If this is not possible, he should obtain Pitman's "Business Handwriting" (price is.). -Anxious Inquirer writes a very satisfactory hand.-J. B's. handwriting is good, but he could improve it for business purposes by the use of Vere Foster's Bold Writing Series, No. 19 copy book.

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MISCELLANEOUS.-The only publication with a title similar to that for which Persist inquires is the Clerk's Gazette, monthly, 25. per annum, published at 29 Old Queen street, Westminster, London, S. W.-We know of no work on English grammar such as Fono inquires about; we should strongly advise him to attend any lectures or classes on the subject, as study from books is in many cases not very helpful; we do not advise the suggested course. Pitman's Guide to English Composition," by the Rev. J. H. Bacon, contains instruction on punctuation which any student may study with advantage. To questions three and four our answer is, yes. It would be in no sense injurious to our correspondent to make use of the shorthand reading books in his possession. The reading of the Corresponding Style need not be abandoned when the study of the Reporting Style is taken up. To get into a good style of handwriting it would be absolutely essential that Fono should have lessons from a master.-There are some statistics on the matter Colonist inquires about, but we are unable to reproduce them.-F. L. is informed that there is no weekly legal paper issued at a popular price.-Baron would not findFrench Phonography" of any service to him in acquiring French pronunciation.-C. W. S. is advised that the metal market reports given in the Times are probably as comprehensive as any that are published. The market prices are usually supplied officially from the various exchanges, and apart from the newspaper reports, merchants in different parts of the country keep themselves telegraphically advised as to changes in prices. "Kelly's Directory of Engineers, Iron and Metal Trades and Colliery Proprietors" (price 30s.) gives the fullest information available about those engaged in the metal trade in the United Kingdom. We have no information relative to other questions.As two members of a firm trade under another name, that of an individual, the correct course would be for G. G. to address business communications to Mr Jones, in spite of the fact that the firm really consists of Messrs Smith and Robinson.-Ibex is informed that the Phonetic Society was discontinued more then ten years since. The work of correcting exercises is carried on by phonographers whose names and addresses are announced on the next page. If our correspondent is agreeable, his name can appear there.-J. L. Y. is informed that the results of the last Society of Arts examinations in all subjects have been published for some time; copies are in the hands of all local secretaries. -Brud can write Phonography successfully in German by the adoption of the method shown in "Pitman's German Shorthand (price is. 6d.). Replies to his second question, and to Paco and others, shall appear next week.

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