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PITMAN'S SHORTHAND CERTIFICATES.

The following Certificates are issued :— THIRD CLASS Or Elementary Certificate, for thorough knowledge 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.

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SECOND CLASS OR THEORY CERTIFICATE, for a thorough knowledge of the 20th Cent. " Manual"; or Instructor," Chaps. i-xxvi.; or "Shorthand Primer, Book II." Fee 25. 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 Phonography. 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.

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 Nunn T. Louis, c/o R. Lawson, esq., 273 Dewsbury rd., Leeds

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

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Correspondence desired with phonographer for mutual benefit in Corresponding or Reporting Style. John Black, jun., 21 March st., Peebles, N B.

German wishes to meet with phonographer for mutual speed practice once or twice a week, or would give lessons in German in return for reading. Address, Otto Boettcher, 110 Churchfield rd., Acton, London, W. Lady phonographer wishes to meet lady for mutual speed practice for an hour daily, morning or afternoon, one just commencing not objected to. Shorthand, 7 Portland st., Stepney, London, E.

English and foreign correspondence desired (shorthand) on picture post cards (coloured views preferred). H. Popple, 222 Hainton st., Grimsby. Correspondence desired in shorthand (Corresponding Style) or longhand with readers abroad, with the object of exchanging stamps. Miss L. A. Wickes, Bradbourne, Sevenoaks, Kent, England.

Pictorial post card correspondence (views) desired with phonographers in the British Colonies and America. Any style (Reporting preferred). Address, Harry B. Stephenson, 1 Florence st., Dublin, Ireland.

Pictorial post card correspondence desired, France and Colonial (long hand and shorthand). Prompt replies. Miss May Thomas, Woolton, Liverpool.

Advertiser wishes to meet phonographer in neighbourhood for mutual speed practice. Carlos, 209 Evering rd., Upper Clapton, London, N.E. Correspondence in Phonography desired with Agnostics, Theosophists, Spiritualists, Unitarians, and heterodox thinkers generally. R. Warren, Teacher of Shorthand, Wimborne.

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. [14]

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. [I] 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. Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd. [x]

Young journalists and literary aspirants wanted to complete postal list of the Scribbler. Essays, discussions, etc., of a literary character. No fees whatever. Conductor, Leonard Unwin,* 89 Wynyard rd., Sheffield. Wanted a few neat enthusiastic writers for the Critic Evercirculator. Essays, discussions, criticisms, etc. No fees. No subscriptions. Conductor, Leonard Unwin,* 89 Wynyard rd., Sheffield.

Royal Evercirculator. Corresponding and Easy Reporting Styles. Members wanted to complete list. Particulars, stamp. H. Dawson, 4 Nunroyd, Heckmondwike. 51

Members wanted for the Gaelic Evercirculator, just commencing. Particulars, stamp. Charles Bannon, Monaincha, Roscrea, co. Tipperary. [5] 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. [9]

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 oppor tunity of studying large selections of works at a small cost. Full particulars for stamp. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. 9] The Rambler Evercirculating Library. Circulates all shorthand magazines. Particulars from Herald Shorthand School, 20 Herald Chambers, Martineau st., Birmingham. [6]

Second-hand Books, Shorthand or Phonetic, for Sale, or Exchange, or Wanted, id. per line of ten words; Miscellaneous Books, 3d. per line. Wanted at once, nos. 1 to 6 inclusive and nos. 9 and 27, vol. 61 of Pit man's Phonetic Journal; must be in good condition. W. Stride, 5 Bridge st., Bristol.

Wanted, full or Abridged Shorthand Dictionary and Advanced Bookkeeping. Price to A. B. C., 26 Warriner gardens, Battersea, London, S.W.

For sale, 60 nos. of Phonetic Journal, 1900-1, all clean and in good condition, 2s, post-free. Phono, 33 Regent st., Blackburn.

Reading practice for the forthcoming examinations, etc., 6s. worth shorthand magazines, all different, post-free for is 6d, sent abroad to any part of the world for 2s money order. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. [13]

To clear, Phonetic Journal, weekly nos., 1902, 2s; Shorthand Weekly, vols. 2 to 18, rod vol.; French Weekly, vols. 1 to 9 (two nos. missing), Iod vol.; Boys' Own Paper, vols. 17 to 22, weekly at 2s vol., 23 and 24, monthly, 3s vol. All unbound, in the best condition, and carriage paid. Oldham, 117 Ashton rd., Newton, Hyde.

Parker fountain pen, new, 8s. Lindley, 38 Calmlands, Meltham, Huddersfield.

For sale, Phonetic Journals, 1902, 1s 7d; Office Work in Shorthand, is 4d; Psalms, 8d; Reporting Hints, rod. F. Hawkins, Priory st., Dudley. [5] For sale, Reporters' Journal, vols. 17 to 27, bound, and vol. 28, unbound; Phonographer, first 8 vols. bound, and vol. 9, unbound; Leaves from T. A. Reed's Note-Book, 2 vols.; Warren Hastings; Around the World in Eighty Days; Haunted Man; Sign of Four; Reed's Two Trips to India; Bible; all Easy Reporting Style. Also Pitman's Typewriter Manual; Reed's Shorthand Writer; Tolmie's Book-keeping. Every book in excellent condition. What offers? Silence a negative. R. W. Bainbridge, 13 Larkhall sq., Stockton-on-Tees. [5]

What offers? Cassell's New Popular Educator (bound), first three vols. new. A. Rothera, Council Offices, Featherstone, Yorks.

For sale, Shorthand Weekly, vol. 2, bound; vols. 19, 21, 22, unbound; Phonetic Journal, 1902; perfect condition. What offers? P. H. Arrowsmith, Lower Morley st., Tunstall, Staffs.

*

Educational books, half price. List free. Holland, Holland house, Birmingham. [6]

Encyclopædic Dictionary, 7 vols., 1901 (£2 5s), 19s 6d. Holland house, Birmingham.

A list of some of the shorthand books, and vols. of magazines which I have for sale will appear in next week's issue; if you don't see what you require, enclose penny stamp for full list; in any case, watch next week's issue. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. [6f]

Wanted to buy the Contract Journal, July to December, 1902, also future issues one or two months old. Send terms to W. H. Jennings, 24 Grosvenor Park rd., Walthamstow.

For sale, Pitman's Phonographic Reporter. New, Is. J. Lilley, Mayflower Villa, Waterloo ter., Cheriton, Kent.

What offers ? 100 Phonetic Journals and 32 Phonographers. Splendid condition. Silence a negative. Phono, 21 March st., Peebles, N.B. Wanted for cash, current British postage stamps overprinted. I.R. Official, O.W. Official, R.H. Official, Board of Education, and Govt. Parcels. Used copies only are required, and for the scarcer varieties high prices will be paid. Send particulars to Robert Kerr, 81 Comely Bank av., Edinburgh. [6]

For sale. Phonetic Journals for 1902, complete, unbound and in good condition. What offers? E. Robson, Redgate, Wolsingham, Durham. 5] Wanted, Pitman's Office Routine and Reporting Practice. For sale, Phonetic Journal, 1901, Shorthand Dictionary, Office Work in Shorthand and Key, Gleanings from Popular Authors, containing Key, British Ora tions, 2 vols. Coombs, 119a High st., Oxford.

On sera heureux d'envoyer chaque semaine un journal anglais en retour du journal Le Matin. S'adresser à Edward Pollitt, 12 Stanley st., Stockport, Angleterre,

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 1s. 8d. per quarter; 3s. 3d. per half year; or 6s. 6d. per year, payable in advance. Subscriptions may commence with any number. Monthly part, 5d., post-free 7d.; terms of subscription same as above.

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SHORTHAND AND THE TELEPHONE.

The use of Phonography in connection with the telephone is not unknown in modern commercial and professional offices. Principals do sometimes dictate letters from their homes to shorthand clerks, who take down with one hand while holding the "receiver" in the other. Shorthand clerks do make notes in shorthand of messages received through the telephone, and the obvious advantages of the practice make one wonder that it is not more widely adopted. The brevity and rapidity of communications through the "wire," and the habit of conducting important negotiations by

means of those communications, render it desirable that careful records should be made and preserved of telephonic conversations, and that necessity is not everywhere overlooked.

But the use of the telephone is not confined to the business of the office. It is extensively in operation for the purposes of the daily newspaper; and there, too, it is often employed in conjunction with shorthand. A writer in the Revue Internationale de Sténographie expresses surprise that this comparatively recent development in the use of the stenographic art is not mentioned in any treatise on the subject, and that it had no place assigned to it in the program of the Paris Congress of 1900.

The telephone, he affirms, has opened up a new field of activity for shorthand. It is not as yet an extensive field, but it is very special, and has peculiarities of its own. He is concerned with its em

ployment as an aid to the reception of news in the great press agencies of the world. These are not numerous, but the nature of the communications that they receive through the telephone is exceedingly varied. He attempts a summary of some of the principal items that go to make up the total fund of information transmitted in this way. The list embraces commercial news, stock exchange intelligence, financial bulletins with extraordinary names of foreign mines and of companies, extracts from foreign newspapers in every style and with abundant parentheses and incidental propositions, and often with no context, reports of conferences, academic addresses, Parliamentary speeches, pleadings and judicial arguments, accounts of proceedings at shareholders' meetings, important diplomatic documents, treaties, literary, theatrical, commercial, military, industrial, medical and scientific news, technical notes of all kinds, descriptions of battles, crimes, accidents, fires, shipwrecks, earthquakes, football matches, bicycle matches, automobile competitions, chess contests, menus of banquets, horse races with horses possessing "impossible " names, names of jockeys, unknown and odd appellations of places scattered throughout the entire world, foreign words that come unexpectedly-all these things are transmitted across the telephone at great speed to-day.

The list could, of course, be enormously lengthened, but it is extensive enough to be suggestive of many things. The stenographer who has to take down the long succession of unrelated communications, and to take it all down with that accuracy and precision without which the news when published would be worse than useless-for it would be misleading-must be a man of wide knowledge, of considerable resource, and with a mind always alert and vigilant. The French writer to whom we have referred calls the telephone messages a "monstrous sandwich," and he remarks that the stenographer is fortunate when the wire is good, the speaker at the other end of the telephone intelligent, and the matter easy to understand. But these conditions do not always exist, and very often they do not all exist together. The telephone is an uncertain instrument. You may say one thing and be heard at the other end as saying something different. Serious information sometimes, in the experience of this writer, gets transformed into news worthy of the pages of Le Charivari."

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For this work it is not the shorthand specialist that is wanted, but the stenographer of the encyclopædic type. And his transcript will need the most careful scrutiny and all the watchful skill that in some of our modern sub-editors rises to a height that tempts one to call it genius.

Mr J. W. Atkinson, of Bebside, has been appointed teacher of shorthand to the Morpeth Grammar School, under the Northumberland County Council, The classes meet on Wednesday evenings,

Under the title of "How to Become a Private Secretary: Qualifications, Training, Work," the articles by Mr Arthur Sheppard, private secretary to the Primate Designate, will be published in volume form by Mr Fisher Unwin before long at the popular price of one shilling.

Messrs F. J. and H. H. Hallett, principals of the Shorthand and Typewriting Institute and School of Commerce, Taunton, send us an attractive typewritten Calendar for 1903 in two colours, well set out and produced in faultless style by the mimeograph process.

Miss Alfra Spray, 19 Lower Sherrard street, Dublin, has been awarded a gold medal offered for competition by Mr John Gore, solicitor, through the Dublin Shorthand and Literary Association recently. Miss Bertha Lee has been awarded a special silver medal by the examining committee on account of the special excellence of her papers. Both ladies are pupils of Mr H. A. Norton, of Dublin.

A Belfast evening newspaper contains an advertisement of a favourite brand of cigarettes partly printed in Pitman's Shorthand. Advertisers are requested to note that accurately engraved shorthand inscriptions for advertisements, in any size or style, can be supplied from the Phonetic Institute, Bath, and that these would prove far more effective for their purpose than some of the specimens which appear in print.

In view of the interest attaching to current events in Morocco, arrangements have been made by the London Phonetic S.W.A. for Mr H. T. Bailey, a well-known member and former secretary of the Association, who has recently travelled into the interior of the disturbed country, to give a lecture before the members on 5th March next on the subject. Mr Bailey's lecture will be entitled "From Mogador to Marrakesh: an Account of Travel in Morocco," and will be illustrated by a large number of photographs taken by the lecturer.

TYPEWRITING NOTES.

The African Review notifies that the Royal Bar-Lock agency in Cape Town is meeting with marked success.

As showing that the Empire typewriter successfully meets the somewhat exacting demands of the British military service, it may be mentioned that the War Office has recently shown its appreciation of this machine by placing an order for twenty-five more with the Empire Typewriter Syndicate, Ltd.

The Typists' Section of the Incorporated Phonographic Society (with which is incorporated the National Union of Typists) has issued in neat and convenient form its rules and examination syllabus for the forthcoming examinations for teachers, typists, and shorthand-typist clerks. Copies may be obtained, with any other information, from the Hon. Sec., Mr G. Colebourn, 50 Hillside road, Stamford Hill, London, N.

An operator in a very sparsely inhabited district in West Australia had the misfortune some time ago to completely smash the space-board of his machine in such a way that it could not possibly be used. A calamity of this description is frequently quite sufficient to destroy the working powers of any machine. The operator in question, however, was not daunted by this accident. He detached the connecting wire of one of the fraction keys and constructed an entirely efficient, if somewhat small, space-board with that key.

The fact that wireless telegraphy will render possible the publication of a newspaper in mid-ocean containing the news of the world up to the moment of going to press, has occasioned lively comment in the newspapers, and it is said that the agents of the principal steamship lines regard the

proposal with disfavour, because an "extensive printing department" would be required on board the liners, etc. We do not imagine that it is proposed to bring out a paper like the Daily Telegraph or the New York Herald in mid-Atlantic, but simply to publish a supply of news similar in amount to that furnished by the agencies to clubs and institutions. If each liner in connection with which it is proposed to issue a news bulletin is equipped with a typewriter and duplicating apparatus, it would be easy to supply everyone on board with a copy of the latest news.

An interesting gathering took place at the Trocadero Restaurant (Louis XIV. Room) on 2nd Jan. on the occasion of one of the regular quarterly dinners given by the Oliver Typewriter Co., Ltd., to its branch managers and those connected with the sales departments. The object of the meeting was the general discussion of matters connected with the Company's selling organization. There were present the Managing Director, some of his co-directors, the London Sales Manager, departmental managers, and the managers of the following branches: Paris, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Sheffield. During the proceedings, which were of a very interesting nature throughout, a cablegram was despatched to America describing the event, which, it was expected, would arrive at about the time a similar function took place at the American offices of the Company in Chicago.

In the Drapers' Record for 3rd Jan. there appeared an interesting article on "Modern Developments of the Typewriter," more particularly as applied to the use of the typewriter for invoicing and day-book keeping. There is no doubt that a large field is being created for the use of the typewriter in other ways than for the writing of plain, straightforward correspondence. What the typewriter is to the pen for letter-writing, so it is in even a more marked degree for invoicing and tabular work. Since a large number of typewriters are undoubtedly being sold for the purposes indicated above, it follows that there will be an increasing demand for operators to work them. Many schools have taken up the teaching of the tabulator, and have found that the general efficiency and wage-earning capacity of the students who have taken up this subject have been greatly increased. There is no possible doubt in the minds of those who have to do with typists who have just left school and come into the City, that in a very large number of cases the training is not carried sufficiently far. Pupils are too eager to begin earning a salary, and the consequence is that they leave the school before they have a thorough knowledge of the subjects of which they are supposed to have an expert acquaintance. In a large number of cases the tyro could easily do with another six months' training. We think that teachers should lose no opportunity of impressing the importance of a thorough training upon their pupils.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS

ANNOUNCED.

BOY CLERKS. Age 15-17. 300 vacancies. Examinations held in about twenty of the chief towns of the United Kingdom on 25th Feb. Latest date for receiving applications, 12th Feb.

MALE TELEGRAPH LEARNERS. Age 15-18. 35 vacancies. Latest date for applications, 5th Feb.

ENGINEER STUDENTSHIPS. Age 14-16. Latest date for applications, 16th Feb.

Apply for forms to enter these examinations to the Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Burlington Gardens, London, W. No postage need be paid.

INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISTS.-The offices of the Institute have now been moved to the new Institute building in Tudor street, Blackfriars, London, E.C.

CIVIL SERVICE NOTES.

BY A CIVIL SERVANT.

The boy clerks' examination, announced elsewhere, is an excellent opening for a youth who desires to become a civil servant. The work is not laborious-seven hours per day and usually Saturday afternoon is free-and the pay commences at 15s. per week. In our opinion the official training in most Government offices is of service to every boy clerk in teaching him obedience, punctuality and accuracy, so that whether his life work be under the Crown or elsewhere, he is in after life a better man than he would otherwise be.

The subjects of examination are: Obligatory (1) handwriting and orthography; (2) arithmetic (including vulgar and decimal fractions and tots); (3) English composition. Three recent essay subjects were (a) The Country in Winter; () The Use and Abuse of Novel-Reading; (c) Men, not Walls, make a City. Optional subjects: Any two of the following (1) Copying manuscript; (2) Geography; (3) English history; (4) translation from Latin or French or German; (5) Euclid Books I. and II., and Algebra to simple equations; (6) chemistry and physics.

The elementary arithmetic paper includes percentages, averages, practice, proportion, weights and measures and metrics; the tots, six compound and eighteen cross for halfan-hour; a harder arithmetic paper consists of six problems of about the calibre that one finds in the second part of a Grade II. Society of Arts. These are actual questions:

Geography.-Describe the main features of a West India hurricane with regard to shape, direction, and force of wind and direction of motion. How does a tornado differ from a cyclone? Where and what are Manchuria, Annam, Crete, Basutoland? Draw a sketch map of Belgium, showing outline and surroundings, courses of Meuse and Scheldt, coalfields, Antwerp, Ghent, Ostend, Mons and Liège.

History. With what parliamentary measures do you connect the names of the Duke of Wellington, Lord Grey, Sir Robert Peel, Cobden, W. E. Forster? Detail the Acts passed during the present century to ameliorate the position of women and children working in mines and factories. What political results followed the marriages of Henry III., V., and VII., and Edward IV.

PHONOGRAPHY AND ITS UTILITY TO FOREIGNERS.

for example, it helps him to distinguish the difference between long and short a, and long and short o, etc., a difference which it would otherwise be very difficult-almost impossible for him to distinguish.

It may be thought for a moment that Phonography is not a very easy subject for a foreigner to master; but this is a mistake. I must say that on my part I did not experience the slightest difficulty when learning the art, the rules in the text-books making themselves quite clear and comprehensible to me; with careful attention paid by the student to the rules, he should not find it in any way difficult to master Phonography.

In these days, when foreign languages are indispensable to all who are desirous of qualifying themselves for business life, and when the English language, together with others of similar importance, is necessary for the requirements of commercial enterprises, Phonography should not be overlooked by the young foreigner who learns English; and I feel convinced that a good deal of valuable time and trouble would be saved if the necessity of a knowledge of Phonography were pointed out to the student, who, on his part, ought to do his best to master it.

There is another advantage to be derived from a knowledge of shorthand by a foreigner. He has the opportunity of transcribing his notes. Such a transcription affords ample room for exercising himself in the correct spelling of words, and if he devotes half-an-hour daily to transcribing his own as well as any other shorthand notes from printed matter, he will soon find that he is rapidly improving his spelling.

For the above reasons, as well as for many others of equal importance, Phonography is of absolute necessity to a foreigner who wishes to acquire a good knowledge of the English language, and it is to be regretted that although the winged art is so widely spread all over the world, yet there are so many young foreigners anxious to acquire both a good pronunciation and a correct spelling of the language, who have no idea of the existence of Phonography. Sulina (Roumania).

P. S. CARVUNIS.

CORRESPONDENCE.

PROPOSED S.W.A. FOR STOKE ON-TRENT.

It is proposed to start a S. W.A. for Stoke-on-Trent in connection with the Y.M.C.A. Any local phonographers willing to join are requested to communicate with the sec. pro tem., Mr H. G. Barrett, 6 Queen's road, Stoke-on-Trent.

WINTER EXAMINATION FOR SHORTHAND

TEACHER'S DIPLOMA.

The utility of Pitman's Shorthand to a foreigner taking up the study of the English language is considerable, and it is a INCORPORATED PHONOGRAPHIC SOCIETY. great pity that so many young foreigners who take up the study of English are not acquainted with the art. A foreigner myself, it is with the utmost pleasure that I am able to assert that Phonography has been my best help in the mastery of this language, and I am greatly indebted to the art for the acquisition both of a proper spelling and of a correct pronunciation of English.

An Englishman can never imagine the difficulty experienced by a foreigner when he studies the English language. So far as the grammatical part is concerned, a careful student should not find it a very hard task to master it, but the great difficulty lies in the acquisition of a good pronunciation, and in many instances it has been impossible for the student to overcome this difficulty. If, however, Phonography were taken into consideration when the study of the English language was decided upon, there can be no doubt that the student would find his task much easier and less tiresome, and that only half the time would need to be spent upon it which he would otherwise require.

Pitman's Shorthand is, in my opinion, the best teacher of English spelling and pronunciation to a foreigner, because it shows exactly how every word is pronounced, and thus leaves not even the slightest doubt in the mind of the student as to whether he pronounces that word correctly or not;

The winter examinations for the shorthand teacher's diploma were held on the 17th Jan. at London, Birmingham, Leeds, and Glasgow. The members of the Examining Board conducting the examination at the respective centres were: London, Mr J. Pirie, M.A. (Chairman of the Board), Mr W. Mair and Mr J. E. McLachlan; Birmingham, Mr E. A. Cope; Leeds, Mr H. W. Harris (Secretary to the Board); Glasgow, Mr P. Machin.

The number of candidates entered for the examination compared very favourably with the number of entries for the corresponding examinations of recent years. At this examination the time limit for the set of four written examination papers was extended from two-and-a-half to three hours. The increase in the time limit will apply to future examinations.

Full particulars of the ensuing examination, to be held on Saturday, 25th July, at London and all such provincial centres as may be required, may be obtained from the Secretary to the Board, Mr H. W. Harris, 100 Mattison road, Harringay, London, N., from whom also may be had copies of the examination papers used at the foregoing and previous examinations for the past seven years, price 6d. each set.

An examination was also held at Sydney, New South Wales, on 13th Dec. last, under the superintendence of Messrs McLauchlan, Phelan, Reed, and Barrow.

STUDENTS' EXAMINATION.

The next general examination for shorthand students, conducted by the Incorporated Phonographic Society, will be held at any centre organizing a responsible examination committee on Thursday evening, 26th March next.

The examination is in three grades: Grade 1, elementary; Grade 2, theory; Grade 3, speed, at any rate being a multiple of ten, from fifty words per minute and upwards.

Full particulars of the examination may be had from the Secretary of the Board, Mr H. W. Harris, as above, from whom also may be had copies of previous elementary or theory test papers, at the rate of five copies for 3d., or twenty-five copies for is.

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LONDON.

A large attendance at the Arcadian, 8 Queen street, E.C. on Thursday, 15th Jan., took part in the preliminary speed practice, and afterwards listened to a lecture by Mr James Quinn, of the Cusack Institute, on Money." Mr E. A. Cope occupied the chair. When the Romans first used the word moneta, Mr Quinn remarked, it was confined to stamped metal pieces. The Romans, however, were not the first people who used metal coins as money. Between the introduction of Christianity and the Middle Ages, the art of coinage seems to have fallen into disuse over most of Europe. Bronze money was at one time almost universal in Europe, and yet we found it replaced in Holland about the beginning of the Seventeenth century by a money made of pasteboard. The Chinese seemed to have preserved uninterruptedly from a pre-Christian period some kind of metal money which they used as a standard of value and a medium of exchange. To the Chinese, also, belonged the credit of being the first race of people who issued bank notes, but whether this note issue was based on a gold or silver reserve he could not say. The term " money" included every medium of exchange which facilitates the functions of the industrial world.

The lecturer proceeded to trace briefly the history of money, pointing out the characteristics that make gold and silver useful for the purposes of coinage, and explaining the difference between coins and "* tokens." The operations of the Mint, the functions of the Bank of England, the part that bank notes play in commercial life, the law as to legal tender, the employment of bills of exchange and cheques for mercantile purposes, and the use of paper money generally as a substitute for gold, were brought under rapid survey, and explained in clear and simple language; and the lecture was highly appreciated by its hearers, who accorded a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer. The program for February is as follows:

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An Executive meeting was held at the Y.M.C.A., Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, on 10th Jan. Mr H. E. Blain (Liverpool), President, occupied the chair, and there were also present: Messrs J. T. Beck (Liverpool), J. W. Brooks (Sale), E. J. Cross (Manchester), J. Hynes (Eccles), J. Karfoot (Chorley), A. Nixon, F.C.A. (Sale), G. F. Sandiford (Manchester), J. Singleton (Leeds), Seth Whiteley (Sheffield), Miss K. Pickard (Bradford), and Mr W. H. Jones (Manchester), Secretary.

Typewriting.-A letter was read from Mr Bentley (Cleckheaton), requesting the Executive to consider the advisability of having a Typists' Section in connection with the Society. It was resolved: That in the opinion of this Executive, it is not desirable for a Shorthand Teachers' Society to have a Typists' Section.

That the Secretary be requested to ascertain how many of our members hold typewriting classes and would like the Executive to institute typewriting examinations.

The Secretary was instructed to reply to several other communications.

Constitution of Executive.-After considerable discussion the following resolution was carried:

That it be a recommendation to the members of the Society at the next annual meeting assembled, that the Executive be given power to co-opt to its number three members each year, and that the Articles of Association be altered accordingly.

The following notice of motion to be placed on the next agenda was given:

That it be a recommendation to the members of the Society at the next annual meeting assembled, that the last sentence of clause 20 of the Articles of Association be deleted, namely, "Should any of such fifteen or other number of persons required to fill such vacancies fail to secure a majority of the votes recorded, their names, together with the three next below, shall be again submitted to the members for a second voting upon."

Annual Conference and General Meeting.-A letter was read from the Secretary of the National Federation of Shorthand Writers' Associations on the subject of the annual conference, and after some discussion it was resolved that the next annual conference and general meeting be held at Sheffield. The date to be Saturday, 30th May, provided the Federation were willing to have a joint conference at Sheffield, failing this, then the date to be Saturday, 4th July. Messrs Singleton, Whiteley, and the President and Secretary were elected as a sub-committee to carry out the arrangements for the conference.

Election of Fellows and Associates.-The following were elected as Fellows and Associates of the Society.

Adams G., 17 Step row, Dundee

FELLOWS.

Allpress T. S., 11 Pollok gardens, Shawlands, Glasgow
Bain A. G., P.O. Box 2021, Johannesburg, South Africa
Gauntlett E., Okayama, Japan

Hallett F. J., Phonographic Institute, Taunton

Holt S., 28 Church street, Harwood, Bolton

Laxton G. W., 10 Raeburn street, Brixton, London, S.W.

Lloyd H. C., Sydney House, Upper Woburn place, London, W.C.
Lyndridge A. W., 81 Rendlesham road, Clapton, London, N.E.
Mills L., 89 Leathwaite road, Battersea Rise, London, S.W.
Mitchell G. H., 32 Castle street, Tiverton, Devon
Morris A., 140 Steade road, Sharrow, Sheffield
Nelson T. W., 18 Dean Park street, Edinburgh

Paice W., 24 Ballingdon road, New Wandsworth, London, S.W.
Smith W. A., 17 Daleview road, Stamford Hill, London, N1
Stimpson A. H., Royal St Anne's Schools, Redhill, Surrey
Taylor J. W., 74 Leathwaite road, Clapham Junction, London, S.W.
Wilkinson W. H., Richmond villas, Farsley, near Leeds

Williamson Miss O., 10 New Wells terrace, Thornhill street, Wakefield
Winterbottom J., 18 Vine street, Higher Openshaw, Manchester

ASSOCIATES.

Ankers A. G., 25 Sybil road, Liverpool

Bannister S., 36 Lane House, Trawden, near Colne, Lanc.
Binns Miss M. E., 23 Bradford street, Keighley
Laycock J., 7 Leach street, Darwen

Mackie J. Y., 19 Cathcart street, Rutherglen, near Glasgow
Oldroyd C. H., Edge road, Thornhill Edge, near Dewsbury
Prescott G., 35 Bristol street, Hulme, Manchester
Rawe M., 14 Croydon street, Salford
Smith A., 547 Tonge Moor road, Bolton

Smith H. H., West Riding Union Bank Chambers, Dewsbury

Propagandist Work. The propaganda sub-committee submitted their report, which showed that the work in the districts was being carried on with great earnestness, and from the reports made by delegates appointed to visit the districts everything tended for the advancement of the Society.

The

Students' Examinations.-The students' examinations subcommittee report showed that there was a considerable increase in the number of applications for papers at the speed examination held on the 12th Dec. last. The number increased from 357 applied for last year to 490. There were 445 papers returned worked, and the results showed 274 passes and 171 failures. report went on to state that prizes had been arranged for the spring examinations, as follows: 1st and 2nd in the elementary, 1st and 2nd in the theory, and a first prize in each speed. The further consideration of the report was adjourned to the next meeting.

REMOVAL NOTICE.-Isaac Pitman and Sons, Shorthand and Educational Publishers, Union square, New York, being compelled to seek more extended quarters owing to their greatly increased business during the last few years, will remove on or about 1st February to the newly-erected Bank of the Metropolis Building, 31 Union square, Northwest Corner of 16th street. Their new premises will be very pleasantly located, and will afford about three times the space previously occupied.

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