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graphers (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., 3s 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.

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. [x]

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] Lady members desired for Essex Evercirculator. Articles, discussions, art gallery, etc. Only good writers need apply. Entrance fee, 6d; annual subscription, is 6d. H. Wilman,* 10 Newport pl., Manningham, Bradford.

For

Wanted young fellows between 14-19 to join evercirculator. particulars enclose penny stamp. A. Marshall,* 52 Sidney st., Cambridge. The best Library is the Telegraph, established ten years, circulating all the magazines, including Australian magazine; quarterly subscriptior, Is 3d; always vacancies, particulars stamp. Conductor, J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London.

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. S.E.

Those wishing to improve their speed in shorthand should join the Kelvingrove Shorthand Circulating Library. Circulating all the best magazines, Australian, etc., only is. 3d. quarterly. All particulars, David Cook,* 157 Kent rd., Glasgow, W.

[50] Rambler Library circulates all shorthand papers, subscription is 3d per quarter, or 4s 6d per year. Gripton's School, High st., West Brom[4]

wich.

Second-hand Books, Shorthand or Phonetic, for Sale, or Exchange, or Wanted, 1d. per line of ten words; Miscellaneous Books, 3d. per line. For sale, Spanish books. Walter Jones, 103 Myrtle st., Liverpool. [44] Lightning Business Phraseograms, by Oliver McEwan, published at 3s 6d; few copies for sale, is 6d each post-free any part of the world. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London.

[50]

For sale, new, post-free, set of Facsimile Reporting Notes, 4 vols., 12s; separate vols., 3s each; back numbers, 3d each; the Shorthand Star, vols. 1 and 3, bound, cloth, rod, paper, 7d; Reporters' Magazine, bound vols., 5s 6d each, back numbers, 4d each, unbound vols., 4s 6d each; Transactions of the International Shorthand Congress, 1887, 7s 6d. James W. Taylor, F.Inc.S.T., 74 Leathwaite rd., Clapham Junction, London, S.W.

Reading practice for the forthcoming examinations, 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. [49] For sale, copies of Oliver McEwan's Verbatim Reporting, post-free Is Id. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. [49] Advertiser, stamp collector, will be pleased to send parcel of different shorthand magazines to any phonographer, any part of the world, sending him used stamps, different values. Ordinary letter stamps not required. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E.

Do you require shorthand books or magazines? Write to J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E., with penny stamp for full list. Thousands of books and magazines for sale. [49] For sale, shorthand books; list sent on receipt of stamped addressed envelope. Books, c/o 7 Gill st., Hanley, Staffs.

For sale, Tom Hood's Poetical Works and Pelican Pen, cheap. Apply G. Leslie Perry, Edward st., Tuckingmill, Camborne.

Book-keeping instruction books, good as new, worth 11s, post-free 4s 6d; Macaulay's History of England, is 9d. A. Palliser, 36 Columbus Ravine, Scarborough.

Post-free, Reporter, Is; Manual, 6d; Teacher, 3d; Key to Reporting Exercises, 5d. A. Palliser, 36 Columbus Ravine, Scarborough.

Wanted, 20th Century Instructor and Key. A. Palliser, 36 Columbus Ravine, Scarborough.

Wanted, a Pitman's Shorthand Dictionary; must be clean and in good condition. State price and edition to O. B. B., 39 Milton st., Walsall, Staffs.

For sale, a large quantity of Phonetic Journals and Pitman's Shorthand Weeklies; a number of shorthand and typewriting instruction books; also a quantity of educational works for best offers. Write for list to Phono, c/o Chester rd. Post Office, Macclesfield.

Bargains, post-free, Phonetic Journals, unbound, 1885 to 1891 inclusive, Is 3d per vol., or 5s the lot; also 1894 to 1899 inclusive, is 9d per vol.; Part 2 Instructor, 9d; Phrase Book, 7d; Pickwick Papers, 25 3d; Learn

ing to Report, is 6d; large number of American_magazines, etc.; list stamp; also Times Atlas, unbound, 7s 6d; 7 vols. Lloyd's Encyclopedic Dictionary, bound, cloth, 178 6d carriage forward. Wanted, offer for zo vols. Library of Famous Literature, cloth. A. Eyre, 14 Hinckley rd., Leicester.

Bargain, Cassell's New Popular Educator, 32 parts, 16s, for 10s postfree. J. Lindley, Calmlands, Meltham, Huddersfield.

[46]

What offers? Manual, Select Poetry, Tales and Sketches, Phonographic Reader, Phrase Book, Reporter's Assistant, Extracts, 1, 2, 3, Psalms, Pilgrim's Progress, Self-Culture. A. B. C., 26 Warriner Gardens, Battersea, London, S.W.

For sale, what offers? 62 Phonetic Journals for 1896-97 and 1902-3: 29 Shorthand Weeklies for 1896-97; and 10 Phonographic Monthlies for 1903. J. Miller, Heathfield, Brayton, S.O., Cumberland. [44] Wanted, half-plate or quarter-plate Camera in exchange for shorthand literature, all kinds. Geo. Birtwhistle, 7 Gainsborough rd., Liverpool. [45] For sale, Phonetic Journals, vols. 60 and 61, and 37 nos. in vol. 59, accept is; also Shorthand Weeklies, vols. 20 and 21, and 39 odd nos.; also is. F. Shaw, Watergate, Methley, near Leeds. For sale, Fitman's Shorthand Reading Lessons (No. 2), Shorthand in the Office, Progressive Studies in Phonography, Shorthand Dictionary (7th edition), Shorthand Weekly, vols. 14, 15, 16 and 23. Also 5s worth Reporters' Magazines, Reporters' Journals, and Phonographers. What offers? W. Atkinson, 1 Hawthorn villas, Ilkley, Yorks.

100 Hobbies fretwork designs, excellent condition, what offers? or exchange for Pitman's new 20th Century Shorthand Dictionary. O. J. Davies, 3 Newton st., Abercanaid, near Merthyr Tydvil.

For sale, Teacher, 3d; Manual, 9d; Reporters' Guide, cloth, is; Instructions on Remington Typewriter, 4d. Evercirculator case, card, and new, is, and 24 sheets headings for same, 4d, two together, is 3d. G. S. Cope, 111 Stroud Green rd., Tollington Park, London, N.

Scarce Shorthand Systems, post-free.-Byrom, 1767, 10s; Cadman, 1835, 35; Clive, 1821, 4s; Cook, 1856, 35; Cooper, 1858, 3s; Davidson, 25 6d; De Stains, 1842, 7s 6d; Gawtress, 1819, 4s; Gurney, 1817, 5s 6d; Ditto, 1825, 5s 6d; Ditto, 1835, 5s 6d; Harding, is; Hicton, 1832, 4s 6d; Jones, 1862, 2s; Ditto, 1871, 2s; Ditto, 1880, 2s; Lewis, 2s; Ditto, Prayer Book, 1832, 5s; Lyle. 1762, 7s 6d; Macdougal, 1841, 3s; Mavor, 1807, 1s6d; Moat, 1833, 3s; Molineux, 1813, 3s; Ditto, 1823, 35; Nash, 1783, 10s; Odell Supplement, 2s; Ditto, New Testament, 1843, 10s; Palmer, 1774, 58; Pocknell Exercises, 1882, 6d; Pitman Vocabulary, 1850, 3s; Rich, 1764, 15s; Ditto, 1792, 15s; Short Hints on Shorthand, 1869, is 6d; Soper, 1856, 3s; Taplin, 1791, 5s; Taylor, 1786, 7s 6d; Ditto, 1807, 5s; Ditto, 1814, 5s; Thompson, 1868, 2s; Ditto, 1863, 3s; Towndrow, 1859, 25; Weston, 1740, 155; Whitehead, 1835, 5s; Williams, 1826, 7s 6d; Young. 1869, 2s; Coggins, New Testament, 1849, 7s 6d. Tate, Kendal st., Carlisle. [44] Clearing out, all clean and perfect. post-free.-Pickwick Papers, Pitman's Shorthand Library, 2 vols., 4s; Reed's Reporter's Guide, is; Script Phonography, 1s; Defence Phonetic pelling, Latham, 1872, 15; Plea for Phonetic Spelling, Ellis, 1848, 2s; Reporter's Reading Book and Key, is; Gospel Epik, Barham and Pitman, is; Phonographic Lecturer, vol. 2, 2s 6d; Phonographic Journal, vol. 3, 1844; Ditto, Correspondent, 1845, 4s; Reporter's Handbook and Vade Mecum, Reed, is 6d; Pitman's Teacher's Handbook, is; Reed's Fonografic Reporter, 1850 to 863, 14 vols., cloth, 325 6d; Ditto, 1850 to 1854, 5 vols., bound, 11s 6d; Phonographic Herald, vols. 1, 2, 3, 1860 to 1862, bound, 4s; Phonographic Reporter, 1860, 1861, bound, 4s; Fonographic Star, 1848; Fonographic Correspondent, 1848, bound, 4s; Reportin Magazin, vol. 1, 1864, 2s; Fonografik Korespondent, 1871, 2s; Shorthand Magazine, vols. 6 and 7. bound, 3s; Ditto, vols, 8 and 9, 3s; Phonographic Examiner, vol. 1, 1853, 2s; Keporters' Magazine, bound, vols. 5, 13, 16, 2s each; Dot and Dash Shorthand, Noble, 6d; The Pentateuch Shorthand, is 6d; Phonotypic Journal, vols. 3, 4, 5, 6, 2s each, bound; Phonetic Journal, bound, 1876, 77, 78, '79, '81, '84, 85, '86, '87, '90, 2s each. Tate, 66 Kendal st., Carlisle. [44] More Bargains, post-free.-Teacher, 2d; Key, 3d; Manual, is; Key, 3d; Reporter, is 3d; Phrase Book, 6d; Progressive Studies, 6d; Leaves from the Note-Book, Reed, 2 vols., 2s; Reporting Exercises and Key, 100; Reader, 3d; Æsop's Fables, 3d; Extracts, 1, 2, 3, 6d; Selections, 2 and 4d; Easy Readings, 3d; Reading Lessons, 5d; Key to Exercises Manual, Ditto, Reporter, 3d; Reporter's Reader, No. 1, 2d; Book-keeping, 6d; Pitman's History of Shorthand, is; Pitman's Reporting Practice, cloth, Is 6d; Dictionary, 2s; Commercial Letter Writer and Key, 1s; Tales and Sketches, cloth, is; Legal Shorthand Reiter, Stoddart, is; Shorthand Clerk, Evans, is; Prayer Book, 2s; New Testament, 2s; Nye's Shorthand Dictionary, 2s; Ditto, Dimbley, 2s; Reporter's Assistant, 6d; Simple Shorthand, Heather, is 6d; Macaulay's Essays, Phonography, 5s; Robinson Crusoe, new, 2s; Bible, Reformed Spelling, 1850, 45; SloanDuployan Instructor, 6d; Ditto, Learner's Reading Book, 6d; Ditto, Exercises, 6d; Ditto, Reporters' Rules and Abbreviations, 6d; Reed's Two Trips to India, is; The Vicar of Wakefield, an Exercise in Phonography, Is 6d. Tate, Kendal st., Carlisle. [44]

TO SHORTHAND LEARNERS.-Students commencing the study of Pitman's Shorthand are recommended to obtain the "Phonographic Teacher," 6d.; "Key," 6d. ; and "Progressive Studies," Is.; or "Pitman's Shortband Instructor," 3s. 6d. These Books can be obtained of all Booksellers, or from the Publishers. Students desiring a teacher may be put in communication with one on sending a penny stamp to Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd., Phonetic Institute, Bath.

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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An interesting correspondence that has recently occupied many columns in successive issues of the Daily Telegraph, raises several important questions. The heading supplied by that paper-"Sham Education" suggests one only of those questions; a little reflection will make it clear that there are others, equally essential, involved. The first letter of the series, signed "Shipping Merchant," related how the writer, having vacancies in his office for two junior clerks, received a large number of replies to an advertisement inviting applications for the posts. From these a selection was made, and several boys aged between 14 and 16, who had filled previous situations, were asked to call. Among the tests to which the callers were subjected was that of making a quite ordinary business calculation. To be precise, the boys were asked to work out the price of 5 tons 11 cwts. 3 qrs. and 23 lbs. of lead at £5 11s. 6d. per ton. There are many ways of dealing with such a question. An experienced accountant would see at a glance that the quantity of lead to be dealt with was 5 tons and 12 cwts., less 5 lbs., and on that basis he would work out the calculation in a few seconds. But ordinary arithmetic, such as is taught in our elementary schools, provides an accurate and easily-remembered method of attacking the problem. It involves a number of subsidiary calculations, but if these are made correctly the answer is infallible. And the boy who has been through the elementary school should, most people will say, be able to make those calculations correctly, and consequently to give the right result on condition, of course, that he

were allowed sufficient time. But of the first batch of five boys whom the shipping merchant tested, not one rendered an accurate answer. It is thereupon assumed that they were unable to do so, though obviously the nervousness from which most boys suffer on such an occasion, might sufficiently account for a failure which, conceivably, would not have occurred had the sum been given to them in the schoolroom. Most of the correspondents of the Daily Telegraph assume that the fault was due to something mistaken in our scheme of elementary education. It is alleged, for instance, that far too many subjects are now included in the curriculum of the elementary school, and that there is no time to teach any one of them thoroughly; that the nation, at a cost that is steadily increasing year by year, is producing smatterers-and this at a time when the need for efficiency is more than ever felt to be urgent. With this particular point we may deal in a future article. It is an important one, as all teachers of shorthand and typewriting recognise; but there is another side to the question, which "Shipping Merchant" overlooked.

Business men nowadays expect too much from the elementary school boy. Formerly they were satisfied if a boy of fourteen could read correctly, write neatly though slowly, and speak fairly well when he was spoken to. For some time after his admission to the office he was confined to elementary duties-copying letters, addressing envelopes, stamping and posting the letters, indexing the letter book, announcing callers, and running errands. Gradually he was initiated into higher and more important duties. But no one would have thought of imposing upon the mere beginner intricate calculations of the character of that mentioned by "Shipping Merchant." Nobody would have expected the boy of fourteen to be able to write rapidly, or even that his style of handwriting should have been at that age finally formed. Nowadays, however, employers are known to require of youngsters who have just left the elementary school the ability to take down correspondence in shorthand from rapid dictation, and to produce a business-like transcript on the typewriter. Heads of business houses have even been heard to lament that boys of fourteen are not turned out able to write or speak fluently a foreign language, so that their linguistic knowledge should be immediately available in the office. Commercial men have to realize, as a few of them do already, that the higher standard of attainment that they seek from beginners demands a longer period of preparation, that it cannot be reached without a course of special preparation superadded to the training afforded by the elementary school. However much the curriculum of schools of that type may be altered, it will still remain unreason. able to expect them to yield a supply of expert accountants, skilful shorthand writers, or accomplished linguists

Mr G. E. Brock, F.Inc.S.T., announces that he has removed from Doncaster to No. 34 North parade, Grantham, Lincolnshire, where he is continuing his school of shorthand, typewriting and book-keeping.

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In the new volume of the Leisure Hour Mr John Horne tells the story of his collection of autographs under the title "A Batch of Letters," and quotes specimen letters received from celebrities. Among these is one headed Sir Isaac Pitman's System of Phonetic Letter-Writing," in which the Inventor of Phonography writes a characteristic protest to an "autograph fiend" who had stated that after receiving a printed refusal from Sir Isaac, he had nevertheless succeeded in securing his autograph.

With the transfer of the printing business of Messrs Woodfall and Kinder to Messrs Unwin Brothers, a distinguished name in British political and commercial history disappears from the trade. The founder of the family of Woodfalls had a printing office in Paternoster row, and was Master of the Stationers' Company in 1766, dying three years later. He left two sons, Henry Sampson Woodfall and William Woodfall. Henry succeeded to his father's business, and as editor of the Public Advertiser printed the celebrated "Letters of Junius." He was fearless in the discharge of his duties as an editor, and was fined and imprisoned by Parliament on various occasions. His younger brother, William, became widely known as a Parliamentary reporter, and from his peculiar ability was nicknamed "Memory Woodfall." Notetaking was at the time of his great reporting feats forbidden in Parliament under various unpleasant penalties, but Woodfall would attend a sitting of Parliament and write out from memory with his own hand a report from twelve to sixteen columns in length. In 1784 he went to Dublin to report the debates of the Irish Parliament; his fame had preceded him, and crowds thronged him when he appeared in the streets. The printing business of Henry descended to his son and grandson.

TYPEWRITING NOTES.

The New Age for 8th Oct. describes the No. 10 Yost.

Mr J. L. Underwood has recently been in this country, making arrangements for the introduction to this market of the Underwood typewriter.

A new paper-shelf has been devised by the Remington Typewriter Co. for use in connection with the tabulator. It is wider than the regular paper-shelf, and is hinged, so that it can readily be pulled forward, and the stops altered, when desired. Hitherto, it was in some cases necessary to remove the whole paper-shelf before the stops could be re-set.

There is every evidence that the typewriter companies will do good business during this winter season. September promised well, and October has realized very good results. It is to be hoped that the typewriter is, as the barometer of trade, prophesying an improvement in business generally.

The Advertising World for October has an interesting illustrated article dealing with "The Advertising of a Typewriter Business," and including an interview with Mr M. Bartholomew, managing director of the Yost Typewriter Co., Ltd. The contributor pays a very high compliment to the Yost Co. on the attractive character of its premises in Holborn Viaduct, and on the excellent location selected. The results of well directed advertising are shown in the following passage from Mr Bartholomew's replies to inquiries: "Twelve years ago we started in this country at No 40 Holborn Viaduct, occupying only the ground floor and basement. In a very short time we took over the whole building. Soon these premises were outgrown and we leased No. 50 Holborn Viaduct, which

we thought would be big enough for all time. But again we soon found there wasn't sufficient room, so this year we have taken on a floor at Nos. 43 and 44. Our financial year which ended in June was quite a record one, the turnover being £200,000, which sum is an increase of £25,000 over the previous year. The last two months, July and August, which, by the way, are not the best business months of the year, show an increase of £10,000 over the corresponding months of last year."

PHONOGRAPHIC OUTCOMES.

BY FRED. Marriner, A.C.P., A.E.I.S.

"Every subject studied has its effect upon every other subject studied." The study of this "interaction" is full of interest, and, to the teacher at least, profit.

A youth is sent to study shorthand, and in the course of time becomes an expert shorthand writer. But he has gained much more than a practical knowledge of this most useful art. He has, perhaps unconsciously, traversed many by-paths before reaching his destination. Let us turn our attention to some of these side lanes, or " outcomes," as one might term them. It is really wonderful how far-reaching they are when one comes to trace them out.

In the first place, how often a faulty pronunciation is met with, even among those whom we might consider well educated. Words have perhaps been first met with in reading when there was no need to pronounce them. They may have crept into conversation, and their mis-pronunciation allowed to go unheeded and uncorrected. They will continue to be so misused until the individual meets some kind friend daring enough to protest (possibly_with_results hurtful to the friendship). Such a thing could not happen with a phonographer. His attention is at once riveted on the phonetics of a new word; he at once seeks out a true phonetic interpretation of it, and it remains with him for all time. Phonography affords a splendid field for systematic ear training. A faulty pronunciation is detected and corrected, and the organ of hearing is trained to a true appreciation of sound values; Dr Fitch says, in his "Lectures on Teaching," that, "No training of ear to the finer differences of vocal inflexion and expression is without a very important bearing on literary perception and taste." This training in phonetics will prove of incalculable value in the study of languages and music.

Again, the distinction of "thick and thin," the necessity for correct slope, the careful manipulation of circle and hook, prove a splendid training ground for the sense of touch. This delicate sense of touch is of first importance to the artist, musician, typewriter, clerk, practical scientist, surgeon, and others. To quote Fitch again. "He who has been taught by exercises of any kind, steadiness of hand, is better fitted hereafter to be a good draughtsman or artist." With the youth at school, too, the beginning of shorthand brings about a decided change for the better in handwriting, drawing, mapping, and other hand-work. The sense of sight, too, is rendered more acute. The student of Phonography must keep a sharp look out for minute details.

The Study of Outlines, from the ponderous "thinking out of the learner to the lightning-like rapidity of thought of the reporter, serves to quicken and exercise the reasoning powers. In the speed room the student is brought into contact with every variety of matter, he hears the opinions of experts, he makes notes on the pros and cons of many important questions. Surely the result will not be "speed alone, but, in addition, a broader mind and a much enriched vocabulary.

Add to these the cultivation of habits of perseverance, neatness, accuracy, and method, and, though these are by no means all the outcomes, yet they are enough to show that Phonography in itself is an education, and that the acquisition of Phonography is not by any means the only outcome of its study.

FRENCH TRAVELLING SCHOLARSHIPS. The Anglo-French Association, "L'Entente Cordiale," offers for competition two travelling scholarships of £10 each. The competition will be held on Saturday, 7th Nov., at the City of London Schools. It is open to British subjects of both sexes born in 1884 or subsequently, who are or have been students of Board schools or other schools where education is free or at merely nominal rates. The scholars will be required to spend at least one month in France, not later than October, 1904. The written examination will consist of translations from English into French, and from French into English, a French dictation, and a short essay in French. There will be a vivâ voce examination, including reading aloud and a short conversation in French. Applications must be sent to the Treasurer, Society of French Masters, 8 Barnard's Inn, London, E.C., not later than 1st Nov.

CORRESPONDENCE.

RAILWAY COMPANIES AND TYPEWRITERS.

Sir, I notice in your issue of 10th Oct., that reference is made to the charge on typewriters, whether carried by the passenger or not. An instance is given where a gentleman, on arriving at a certain station, was asked to pay sixpence on his machine. Having a machine of my own, I can quite sympathize with the traveller. If the railway company insists upon making this charge, though it is certainly unfair, then it is only fair for typists who have machines of their own, and who find it necessary at times to move them from one place to another, to adopt a method of "active resistance." Some time ago, I had occasion to take my machine with me on a short railway journey, and I knew that if the Company saw it, it would mean a charge of sixpence or ninepence. Unable to see the fun of this, I procured a sack and placed my machine inside it and strapped it up, so that the name would not be visible, taking care to have it in the carriage with me. The result was that I arrived at my destination without paying the usual charge, and I think, without exciting suspicion. As already stated in your columns, and also in various morning papers, it is high time something was done to prevent the respective companies from imposing this charge in cases where the passenger carries his or her own machine. One can understand paying for the carriage on a typewriter when it is sent in advance, but when it comes to paying on an article one carries oneself the unfair nature of the charge becomes obvious. At any rate, for the present and for the future, it behoves all typists when taking their machines from one place to another to adopt methods for avoiding the charge. I enclose you my name and address.

AMBIDEXTROUS HANDWRITING.

TYPIST.

Sir,-Much has been said concerning bad handwriting in our schools, but there is one phase of this question which seems to have been somewhat overlooked, I refer to the teaching in the schools to use only one hand for writing, and that generally the right hand. The benefits to be derived from the use of both hands are surely inducement enough for both hands to be taught. Should the writing hand meet with an accident, which may happen at any time, the injured person is placed in an unenviable position, especially if the nature of his employment necessitates much handwriting. One leg is not taught to walk without the other, why then this partial development of our natural equipment?

Coventry.

HORACE ELLIOTT.

INLAND BOOK POST CHANGES.-The new scheme relative to inland book post will shortly be announced by the Postmaster General. More latitude will be given with regard to circular matter, which at present very easily comes within the description of letters. It will be possible to send more written matter than has been the case before. There will, however, be no change as to the weight permitted for given values.

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LIVERPOOL DISTRICT (T.S.).

The next ordinary meeting of this district will be held on Saturday, 31st Oct., at the Royal Institution, Colquitt street. Mr J. B. Whittaker (Burnley) will read a paper entitled "Phonographic Details," and Mr H. C. Lloyd (Wigan Grammar School) will give a specimen lesson on the half-length principle. All teachers in the district are cordially invited to be present. The newlyformed Typists' Section will hold its first meeting at an early date. Particulars concerning membership of either Section will be gladly forwarded by the Hon. Sec., Mr P. Machin, 10 Normanby street, S.

YORKSHIRE (T.S.).

The quarterly meeting of the Yorkshire District was held at Henderson's Business Training Institute, 18 Park lane, Leeds, on 10th Oct. Mr A. E. Hodgson presided at the council meeting, and Mr Henry Smith at the general meeting, which was well attended.

The following applications for admission were passed: FELLOWS.-Messrs G. A. Barton, 22 Methley Mount, Chapeltown Leeds, and J. L. Calvert, Bolton cottage, Undercliffe, Bradford. MEMBER.-Miss M. E. Binns, 23 Bradford street, Keighley. ASSOCIATES.-Messrs H. Mitchell, 95 Baring street, South Shields; S. Ogden, 17 Fair view, Todmorden; L. Whiteley, 37 Surrey street, Sheffield; H. Brook, Loxley cottage, Carlinghow, Batley; J. Crowther, 25 Sydenham place, Bradford.

Mr A. E. Hodgson, of the North Leeds School of Shorthand, gave an analytical and critical paper on the -tion hook. A discussion followed, in which Messrs Wilson, Henderson, Fieldhouse, Holmes, Fairbank, Smith, Furness and Grant took part.

An able paper on "The Derivative Theory" was given by Mr A. W. Warden, of the Dewsbury School of Shorthand, and an interesting discussion followed, in which Messrs Smith, Holmes, Fieldhouse and Grant took part. Votes of thanks concluded the proceedings.

It is proposed to hold the annual general meeting in Leeds, on Saturday, 23rd January.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF S.W.A's.

MIDLAND DISTRICT.

The fifteenth Midland District conference will be held on 7th Nov. at the new Co-operative Buildings, Chapel street, Rugby, commencing at 3 p.m. The afternoon will be devoted to visiting the famous Rugby School; the visitors will be conducted round the school in two parties, the first at 3 p.m., and the second at 3 45 p.m. Tea at 4.45 p.m. (Is. each). After tea the District Council meeting will be held. At 6.30 p.m. a paper, "The Literary Side of the S.W.A.," will be read by Mr C. J. Fletcher, hon. sec. Rugby S.W.A., with discussion afterwards. A musical and social evening, kindly arranged by the Rugby S.W.A., will conclude the proceedings. Any further information will be gladly supplied by the Midland District Secretary, Mr J. Ramsden, jun., Haldon house, Waterloo road North, Wolverhampton.

A NEW STANDARD WEIGHT.-The London Gazette of 16th Oct. contained an Order in Council approving of a new standard weight of fifty pounds, or half-cental," which has been proved to the satisfaction of the Board of Trade to be required, and has consequently been made and duly verified, and deposited at the Standards Department. The weight is octagonal in form, and two illustrations of it were published in the Gazette as a schedule to the Order,

INDIRECT ELEMENTS IN COMMERCIAL

EDUCATION.

BY ALFRED KINGSTON.
4.-TARIFFS AND TRADE.

On the borderland of politics and commerce, and of tariffs and trade, lies one of the first pieces of unexplored country which the young man entering upon a business career will probably have to trace, and in many cases it may be one of the first practical stages of his higher commercial education. If the reader has paid but the smallest attention to the newspapers lately he will have seen how very intimate is the connection between the field of contemporary politics and of commerce, and how the principles of political economy are entering into the relationship which exists between these two, and the important third factor represented by the

consumer.

The subject I have chosen for this article naturally follows that of political economy, for whether the reader is a student of that science or not, it seems very likely that, if only as a citizen, he will be called upon to think about the relationship of commerce and politics, and about tariffs and trade, during the next few months. He will probably find the subject to bristle with difficulties, and the fact that politicians having opposite political ends to serve will be his instructors, will not help to simplify the task of arriving at a working balance of evidence to rest any definite conclusions upon. In this extremity he will be inclined to lay hold upon that which favours his own personal interests. That, at any rate, is a natural tendency, and yet the citizen, whether a commercial man, or a voter who has only his labour to exchange for daily bread, may find it worth while to look a little further into the bearings of a question which concerns many others besides himself. By this means, if he is a commercial man, he will know better how far he can go in his efforts to seek redress for a particular grievance, and escape the absurdity of not seeing where his argument from self-interest would lead him as a citizen, or the relation of several points which the politician and the legislator are bound to consider.

In this border-land between politics and trade there is always the danger of taking the lesser factor for the greaterthe interests of particular trades to the exclusion of the broader interests of the mass of the people, for and by whose needs trades exist. Hence the difficulties which beset the politician whenever the question of tariffs and trade arises in the course of legislation. The conflict of private and public interest, of local, national, and international interests, the reader will have abundant opportunities of studying in the columns of the newspapers, and possibly from rival speakers on the platforms throughout the country, and I may therefore turn from the political aspect of the question to that which arises where actual legislation is embodied in customs and tariffs, and is already calling for intelligent study and practical interpretation, as an indirect, but very practical, element of commercial education.

Of the two things, taxes and tariffs, the latter will afford the better opportunity of study for the ambitious young man, who is aspiring to a responsible position in a commercial house having transactions with other countries. Custom houses are the locks along the commercial canal. They are set up for the purpose of raising the level of the stream of trade in the interests of the countries to which they belong. Only those concerned with the export of British goods to Continental and foreign countries, said a City man to the writer the I other day, can realize how intricate and complicated the relations of that trade may become by some Act of Parliament of another country which makes it necessary for the exporting firm to reconsider its whole position, and carefully adapt its policy to the new state of things, which has been set up by some rearrangement of tariffs, affecting, it may be, the whole of his class of imports, or only some constituent element of them.

Representatives of leading British commercial houses, who

by long experience in Continental trade have become skilled in the diplomacy of international commerce, have by their experience and tact often done a service to their country and its commerce, greater in its effects than the warrior can claim. Of such men the English nation has produced many who, by their expert knowledge, have been able to influence the making and shaping of foreign commercial treaties with this country. Even responsible Ministers such as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the President of the Board of Trade, or a Minister of finance abroad, are often glad to avail themselves of the experience of experts, and in this school there is no department of knowledge which is more indispensable to successful negotiation than that which is acquired by the representatives of British houses who have the control of Continental trade, whether as Continental travellers, or as Continental agents.

The point, however, which I wanted to bring out in this article is one which, after all, may concern the youth who is preparing to enter business, more than he may think. Suppose he goes into a shipping house, or a commission agent's for Continental trade. He may be only a junior clerk when he enters such an office, yet by the very nature of the circumstances in which he is placed, it is not only necessary that he should have a knowledge of one or more languages of the countries with which his firm has dealings, but the whole of his future may be determined for him by the spirit in which he enters into the inner meaning of these dealings. It will not be enough that he should know the foreign language in the ordinary sense of writing a simple letter in that language; but he will have the best possible reason for losing no time in acquiring the more technical side of the language, especially as regards weights and measures, coinage, exchange rates, the intricacies of foreign tariffs, which are very often so devised as to exercise the ingenuity of the most persevering student. A knowledge of a language, supplemented by a good working knowledge of the technical side of the language, and of the tariffs which stand between the country and his employer's interests, will enable a young man, if necessary, to go abroad with confidence and represent his employer in important negotiations, and, it may be, serve the interests of British commerce at the same time.

These are the obvious lessons, I think, which are suggested by the relation of commerce and politics, or tariffs and trade, and the practical side which, I think, seems naturally to arise is, that for the purpose of business, a knowledge, say of French or German, will be increased in value in proportion as it embraces a study of this technical aspect of foreign commercial intercourse, which is becoming more and more important in view of treaty negotiations and the uncertainty of what the future may bring.

(To be concluded.)

A SHORTHAND PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. John Bunyan's immortal allegory has inspired many a subsequent narrative. It furnished Mr G. Edmund Hallone of the 200 words per minute men and a multi-medallistwith a suggestive title for an interesting address which he delivered before the members of the London Phonetic S. W. A. on 15th October.

Mr Hall supposed that in the case of everybody present there had come a great ambition at one time to record words and sayings at a quick rate; this led to the desire to acquire the ability to write shorthand. Many of them in their young days had attended public meetings and had gazed with awe on the young man sitting in splendid isolation recording with ease the words of a local celebrity or a great political visitor, and more than anything else this had fired enthusiasm in their breasts. His experience led him to believe that nearly all the best shorthand writers hail from the country. After relating humorously the purchase of the "Teacher," dipped into with all the expectation and interest of an explorer in a new country, the journey through its pages-at first with a companion who afterwards loses heart and exchanges his copy of the book for foreign postage stamps-the acquisition of the "Manual," the steady plodding

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