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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 3s 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.

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. Liverpool. The Shortband Writers' Association meets at Y.M.C.A., Mount Pleasant, on Monday and Friday evenings. Speed practice and debates. New members welcome. Fee, 2s 6d for session. Mr D. Beeby, 108 Blantyre rd., Liverpool.

Evercirculators and Libraries. 1d. per line of ten words.

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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. ; overs, cloth is, leather is 6d. Samples for id. Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd. [x] To Solicitors' Clerks.-Few junior members wanted for legal evercircuator (elementary section). Articles and discussions on points of law and practice. Stamp for particulars. E. Eccleston, 39 Belle vue, Shrews. bury. 147]

The Victorious Evercirculator. Wanted, a phonographer who will undertake conductorship and devote his energies to maintaining this evercirculator in its present flourishing condition. Address either the Rev J. Thomas,* 15 Morton crescent, Exmouth, or Mr F. C. Veryard,* 56 Tredegar rd., Bow, London, E. [46] Empire Shorthand Circle. Wanted members, ladies and associates for above. Novel features. Examinations learners' section. Standard features:-Editorial notes; leading articles; Empire men; reviews; notes and news. Absorbing topic of month; Empire Dependencies; usual monthly article; usual sundry pages. Age limit 21. Members 1S, associates 6d yearly. Ladies free. Apply Secretary, 1 St John's square, Wakefield.

E. S. C. Canadian Section. Wanted, Canadian members for this section. Novel features. 6d yearly. Examinations. Age limit 21. Splendid opportunity. Commences 1st Jan. Apply Stanley Pepper, Canadian Secretary, Woodstock, Ontario, Canada.

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.

Reading practice. The best library is the Telegraph, established eleven years, circulating all the magazines; quarterly subscription, is 3d; always vacancies. The 20th Century Commercial Library, over 200 books available for use of members. Shorthand, typewriting, French, German, Spanish, and commercial books, together with copies of all English and American shorthand magazines. Subscription one penny per week. Splendid opportunity of studying large selection of works at small cost. Full particulars of either library for penny stamp. Lady and gentlemen members throughout the kingdom. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. [1]

Second-hand Books, Shorthand or Phonetic, for Sale, or Exchange, or Wanted, id. per line of ten words; Miscellaneous Books, 3d. per line. 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]

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, Spanish books. Walter Jones, 103 Myrtle st., Liverpool. 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, Reporters' Journal for 1902 (unbound); clean and in good condition. What cash offers? Roberts, 17 Edith rd., Liverpool. [45]

For sale, Pitman's Reporter, price 2s 6d, for is; also Sloan-Duployan Instructor and Reporter, price 4s 6d, for 2s. C. Edge, Sabden, nr. Whalley. Wanted, Pitman's Advanced Book-keeping and Key; also 20th Century Shorthand Instructor will exchange one year's Reporters' Journal or Shorthand Magazine for either. Bain, 37 Narford rd., Upper Clapton, London.

Wanted, second-hand, copies of Twentieth Century Instructor and Reporter's Phrase Book, cheap. Mark Sloman, 3 William st., Tiverton. Bargain, Cassell's New Popular Educator, 32 parts, 16s, for 10s, postfree. J. Lindley, Calmlands, Meltham, Huddersfield. [46]

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.

Wanted, half-plate or quarter-plate Camera in exchange for shorthand literature, all kinds. Geo Birtwhistle, 7 Gainsborough rd., Liverpool. [45] For sale, Prayer Book, in saorthand, new, 2s 6d; Pitman's 20th Century Manual, is; Pitman's Reporter and Reporting Exercises, 1s 3d; Irving's Tales and Sketches, Bret Harte's Thankful Blossom, Blackie's SelfCulture, each 8d. H. M. Keeling, Grammar School, Bradford.

Post free. Teacher, 3d; Reporter, is; II. Primer, 3d; Sampson, 221a Kilburn lane, London.

Wanted, Cassell's Popular Educator. T. Rayner, I Alice cottage, Bocking, Braintree.

Shorthand reading. What offers for 11 vols. Reporters' Journal, 1891 to 1901; and 6 vols. Phonographer, vols. 1 to 6? All cloth bound and in excellent condition. R. W. Bainbridge, 13 Larkhall square, Stockton-onTees. [46]

Wanted, Shorthand Bible, last edition, perfect. Write, stating lowest price, Aralex, Sandown, Nevis rd., Balham, London, S. W.

Scarce Shorthand Systems, post-free.-Byrom, 1767, 10s; Cadman, 1835, 35; Clive, 1821, 4s; Cook, 1856, 3s; Cooper, 1858, 3s; Davidson, 2s 6d; De Stains, 1842, 7s 6d; Gawtress, 1819, 45; Gurney, 1817, 5s 6d; Ditto, 1825, 5s 6d; Ditto, 1835, 5s 6d; Harding, is; Hic ton, 1832, 4s 6d; Jones, 1862, 28; Ditto, 1871, 2s; Ditto, 1880, 2s; Lewis, 2s; Ditto, Prayer Book, 1832, 5s; Lyle, 1762, 7s 6d; Macdougal, 1841, 3s; Mavor, 1807, Is 6d; Moat, 1833, 3s; Molineux, 1813, 3s; Ditto, 1823, 3s; Nash, 1783, 10s; Odell Supplement, 2s; Ditto, New Testament, 1843, 10s; Palmer, 1774, 55; Pocknell Exercises, 1882, 6d; Pitman Vocabulary, 1850, 3s; Rich, 1764, 155; 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, 2s; Weston, 1740, 15s; Whitehead, 1835, 5s; Williams, 1826, 7s 6d; Young, 1869, 28; Coggins, New Testament, 1849, 7s 6d. Tate, Kendal st., Carlisle.

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, is; Defence Phonetic Spelling, Latham, 1872, 18; Plea for Phonetic Spelling, Ellis, 1848, 2s; Reporter's Reading Book and Key, is; Gospel Epik, Barham and Pitman, is; Phonographic Lecturer, vol. 2, 28 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, 32s 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, 38; Phonographic Examiner, vol. 1, 1853, 2s; Reporters' 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.

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, 10d; Reader, 3d; Æsop's Fables, 3d; Extracts, 1, 2, 3, 6d; Selections, 2 and 3, 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.

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PRACTICAL TRAINING.

The contribution to the proceedings at the I.P.S. Conference at Liverpool of most general value and interest was the paper read by Mr J. Montgomery, on the well worn theme of "Commercial Education." It was the production of a practical man who sees clearly what is wanted, and sees, not less clearly, the nature of the real difficulties in the way. A mass of prejudices, traditions, hesitations, doubts, distrusts of change, have to be removed. Commercial education, to begin with, does not mean the addition of new subjects to the crowded curriculum of the elementary school. If it did, one could sympathize readily with the objections that would rise from teachers in those schools, many of whom are doubtful whether a reduction of the existing number of subjects would not be desirable in the interests of educational efficiency. But it does mean that some, at all events, of the subjects at present taught shall be taught in such a way that the pupils' minds shall be familiarized with the actualities of life.

There is no reason that one can see why the sums that schoolboys are set to work out should not represent such calculations as are needed in commerce, instead of being of the type to which Mr Montgomery referred, as dealing with the efforts of "imaginary men digging imaginary ditches for no imaginable cause whatever." There is no reason why geography and history should not be so taught that the future workers in the world

will have clear ideas as to how great centres of commerce grew and developed, and the part that they play in the concerns of the nation and of mankind. Later, in the more advanced school, why should not more stress be laid on the Acts of Parliament which regulate the every-day transactions of society? These are interesting and important facts in our history, and they can be made as fascinating to learners as the details of the arrangement of the troops at the battle of Waterloo. And for those who are able to devote time to an extended study in the special commercial school, to which in the future will be entrusted the special preparation of the better class of commercial workers, why should a training in economics be denied? At the present moment the entire nation is giving itself up to the discussion of a great question of economics; but how many people can discuss the subject adequately? A thorough grasp of the economic theory of international exchanges-which affects every industry in the country-would make impossible nine-tenths of the wild assertions that are to be heard to-day on every side, as to exports and imports and the effect of a tariff.

There seems to be an apprehension that a direct training for the work of life will somehow have a narrowing effect. It is thought that Latin and Greek afford a mental discipline that cannot be acquired by means of any modern language. The notion rests on an unproved assumption. Living languages have, of course, to be taught as living languages, and not as dead languages. They have to be taught so that they may be used, not so that they may be forgotten, and little remain except the results of the mental discipline of acquiring them. But intelligent teachers, who will make it their business to teach intelligently, can make of a modern language as fine an instrument of mental discipline as any of the great schoolmasters of the past have made of classical tongues. Nor is there any reason why a man, who has mastered French or German because it is one of the languages of mercantile life, should ignore the abundance of splendid and elevating literature that his knowledge of either of those languages will render available to him. It is a perverse and a stupid notion that there is a necessary antagonism between a training that has always in view the importance of acquiring knowledge that may be applied in daily life, and the cultivation of the faculties that make life interesting and refined. The two things are part of one whole. The nation has need of both, and the need of the nation is the need of the individual members of the nation.

A new edition of the Holy Bible (Authorised Version) lithographed in the Easy Reporting Style of Pitman's Shortband, Twentieth Century Edition, is in preparation, and will be published in weekly parts at a popular price, commencing on 2nd January, 1904. Full particulars will be announced later.

The opening joint meeting of the Teachers' and Typists' Section of the Incorporated Phonographic Society, held in London on 24th October, was a great success, and included an interesting address by Miss Marie Corelli, who presided. A report of the proceedings will appear in our next issue.

The Newcastle and District S.W.A. (federated) has opened the winter session even more auspiciously than was announced in the report of the adjourned annual meeting which appeared in our last issue. The total number of new members is 51.

We regret to learn that Mr Edward Caldwell, Stranraer, has, on account of indifferent health, been compelled to decline the appointment of shorthand and typewriting teacher in connection with the Evening Continuation Classes this winter. During the last 20 years Mr Caldwell has conducted a considerable number of most successful classes, and has also coached many pupils privately. The relaxation he is now seeking will, it is confidently hoped, fit him for further work in the near future.

The following reference to the twin arts in a tale entitled "Jezebel and the General," by Mary Stuart Boyd, running in this month's Chambers's Journal, is significant. The hero, one Colin Macnaught, who has been educated at a University, is obliged to seek employment: "It was distinctly humiliating to discover that in the workaday world familiarity with such commonplace attainments as typewriting and shorthand ranked higher than knowledge of the classics."

Reporters will remember the late Mr Lecky as a speaker of unusual fluency and rapidity of utterance. His words were apt, his sentences were well constructed; but he talked too fast, and he had never mastered the orator's art of placing emphasis on the right words, and of pausing at the right place. Therefore it was that he failed to achieve the success as a speaker on the platform and in the House of Commons that many a man of far smaller intellectual attainments has obtained with little difficulty.

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An interesting question bas arisen in connection with one of Mr Chamberlain's speeches as to whether he said he was as Conservative as the "mildest "Radical or as the "wildest" Radical. The Times, for example, reported him as saying wildest, while the Daily Telegraph report had "mildest"; the other leading newspapers seem to have been about equally divided in their preference for one or other of these words. No doubt the word "mildest "' was that which the right hon. gentleman used, and the error was probably made in the telegraphic transmission of the speech. Some of the most surprising errors in the reports of speeches have originated in this way.

Esperantists have again started free classes in several important towns. In London, lessons are given gratis, notably at 34 Harrington road, South Kensington, on Monday evenings at a quarter to seven; and at 16 Finsbury circus, on Thursday, at half-past six. There are also classes in other parts of London, including Wandsworth, Battersea, Brixton, and Clapham, and the first number of an organ of the international language has just appeared, entitled the Esperantist, which contains a paragraph in Esperanto in the character of Pitman's Shorthand. A report of a lecture on the subject, given before the London Phonetic S.W.A., will appear in our next issue.

TYPEWRITING NOTES.

The following hint to typists deserves the serious consideration of those who indulge in the vexatious practice referred to: " Do not make corrections by typing a letter or figure over the one already on the page, especially in initials and figures." It is absolutely impossible for the printer, or anyone else who has to deal with instances of this kind, to tell which is intended when one figure is typed over another.

The Yost Typewriter Co., Ltd., have been granted the Royal Warrant of His Majesty Alfonso XIII. of Spain. The young King is an enthusiastic user of the Yost machine.

Many insurance companies are now using the typewriter for their policies. We believe that the Star Life Assurance Company were the first in London to do so, and the practice is now becoming general.

Remington typewriters specially fitted with devices for the use of the blind have been supplied to the Bristol School for the Blind. A clever attachment renders it possible to erase the character last written, when necessary, with perfect accuracy.

Apart from their practical uses, an American commercial teacher claims the following advantages as arising from the acquirement of the twin arts: "The study of stenography and typewriting act as correctives in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, paragraphing, and style. They also serve to form habits of neatness, accuracy, and form."

An Edinburgh correspondent writes with reference to our note of 3rd Oct., that there are probably a few hundred ministers who individually type their own correspondence and sermons by means of the typewriter. The following use the Densmore and New Century typewriters in and around Edinburgh for their correspondence, etc.: Revs. J. McLeod, H. S. Reid, J. Cane, M. Davidson (Hawick), G. M. Reith, E. T. S. Reid, J. Kirk, and J. F. Anderson (Coldstream).

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It is stated that a cypher code typewriting machine, invented by Mr Frederick Sedgewick, an American, produces a communication in a cypher that defies solution except by someone supplied with the proper facilities for doing so. ordinary message transcribed by this machine, which has a keyboard in many respects the same as a typewriter, issues forth a jumbled mass of letters, but the usual methods of unravelling a cypher message are defied. This is accomplished by an automatic device which changes the relationship of the keyboard at irregular intervals. In this way, no one character is more in use than another, and no clue whatever is given To decipher the message, a machine similarly adjusted is used, the cypher characters being picked out in the keyboard one by one, with the result that the machine prints the hidden message in its true characters.

If any operator is interested in the question of producing cypher messages with the ordinary typewriter, let him imagine every character shifted one point to the right, or, to render the writing of the cypher message still simpler, cover the keys each with a disc of paper bearing the character standing next to it on its right. In the case of the Remington No. 7 keyboard, we shall then have the taking the place of 3, the where the semicolon is, and them where the comma is. We shall then get a jumble like this, which will with difficulty be deciphered by anyone not in the secret: "Yjod od s drvo, rm pg drvtry etoyomh tpfivrf pm s Tr, omhypm Yuğretoyrt Mp 8." Any operator used to the Remington can decipher it.

With a double shift-key machine, such as the Hammond, a cypher may still more easily be written. Simply put on the figure shift-key, and write as if lower case was being printed. A curious jumble will result which can easily be deciphered by anyone with a machine similarly arranged.

The subject of speed in typewriting has recently to a great extent lost interest, mainly, we suppose, because it has come to be recognised that there is no special merit or utility in the attainment of a high rate of speed, unless good work can be combined with it, and it cannot. A correspondent, however, writes and asks us to state the highest speed "that has ever been done in England on a typewriter." There is, therefore, apparently some interest in the subject still. The record for speed in typewriting is held by Mr. C. H.

McGurrin, who in 1892 wrote, at the London Press Club, 207 words and three letters of the 208th word in one minute, the set sentence, Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party, being used for the test. This means, counting the spaces, 699 finger movements, averaging over II a second, and the carriage was returned to the margin-stop at the end of each repetition of the sentence. This was vastly clever, of course, and spoke volumes for the capability of Mr McGurrin for lightning movements, as well as for the responsiveness of the Remington, but who was the better for it? Certainly not the world of operators, for they were tempted into competition in speed contests, resulting in the formation of bad habits: certainly not their typewriters, for they were bashed, clashed, and clanged beyond all endurance. Operators had best forget that there was ever a record made, and remember that it is good work done at a moderate speed that tells in practical life.

The adoption of the shift-key principle by the Bar-lock Company as an alternative with the double keyboard suggests the question whether, as time goes by, typewriters will not more and more nearly approximate to a single standard, as the bicycle has done. At present there is too much variety of opinion as to the value of special forms of construction to render this possible. There are operators who swear by the double keyboard, and operators who believe that nothing equals the shift-key. Some are in favour of visible writing, and others will have none of it. There are all sorts of differences of opinion, and no one typewriter pleases everybody; but many eccentricities have already been ruled out, and there has been a perceptible advance to a single standard. Oddly arranged keyboards, offering theoretical advantages, have been given up, and we have a standard arrangement of the letters. The double shift-key has been given up in some machines that once used the device. Little by little, one of two alternative devices will be proved to be superior to the other, and then the weaker will be dropped. The fittest is bound to survive in typewriter construction as elsewhere. The weaker principle will have to go, for reliability is the one quality that typewriter buyers will have in an age in which every link in the chain of commercial methods must be the strongest possible.

In typing from dictation and some other classes of work, it is difficult and at times all but impossible for the typist to attend to punctuation, but we fear that it is only a model dictator, like the late George Augustus Sala, who is equal to the task of dictating punctuation in connection with his literary or commercial compositions. Mr G. R. Sims has lately expressed the following dictum on the subject in reply to an “Amateur "' in the "Editor at Home" page of Men and Women: "You had very much better study punctuation and do your own. It is no more the duty of a typist to punctuate your manuscript than it is her business to correct your grammar. If you are weak in your punctuation, use a full stop whenever you can. The comma almost places itself; it is only with the semicolon and the colon that the amateur gets into trouble. By using full stops frequently you save yourself a great deal of punctuation perturbation, and make your meaning clearer."

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"The Cry of the Typist " still continues to find expression in T. P.'s Weekly. A protest against a practice which is far too common is made in the following communication: Many competent workers are unable to do themselves justice simply because the principal work of the day is crowded into the last hour or so. Letters are dictated rapidly and incoherently, and have to be typed at high speed, so that they may be signed before the principal leaves the office. Of course, this cannot always be avoided, but it is the rule, and not the exception, in many offices. Employers cannot expect the same class of work, done at high pressure, and at the close of a tiring day, as they would were the work given within reasonable time, so that a little care and thought might be expended upon it."

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Certain shorthand-typists are cited as having, by reason of their intelligence and knowledge, attained to superbe situations. A Miss White, of De Moine, is mentioned as one who commenced ten years ago with a salary of $25 per month, and is now in receipt of $100 per month as manageress of the office. In the same city another lady shorthandtypist receives $125 (approximately £25) per month, and a third, assistant secretary of an insurance company, is paid $2,500 (500) per annum. Other members of the same sex are named who are said to be in receipt of salaries equal to £180, £200, and 260 per annum. Those able to write German as well as English are well paid, receiving the equivalent of from £7 to £8 per week.

Even taking into account the dearness of living in America, these situations, remarks our French contemporary, appear tempting to those whose salaries do little more than keep them from starving. It is suggested that some of these posts might be secured by French women willing to exile themselves -and especially for those who know the language of the country. Even for those whose only language is French, there may be openings in business houses having commercial relations with France. Some interesting information is given with reference to the associations in America for women shorthand writers and typists.

ENGLAND.

Of the lady shorthand-typist in England some useful though comparatively meagre particulars are given. We are told that, besides business houses, various Government departments engage her services, though at salaries the smallness of which is compensated by the certainty of a pension, that Members of Parliament and literary men give the preference to women as secretaries, and that newspapers employ them as reporters, and solicitors utilize them in the preparation of legal documents. In general, such situations here are more advantageous than similar posts in France, not only because they are better paid, but because living is cheaper on this side of the channel. The "minimum" salary is stated to be about 30s. weekly, though it is mentioned that "young girls of from thirteen to fifteen years of age can be found who do not ask more than 12s. to a pound a week; but, we are told, one does not entrust important work to them. We are afraid that if our French contemporary would inquire further, it would be discovered that the real minimum is lower than he puts it. There are many women who can be trusted with exceedingly important work who do not receive more than £1 or 25s. per week.

(To be concluded.)

OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY.

MR J. C. RODRIGO, F.I.P.S.

As there are no portions of the British Empire in which Pitman's Shorthand is not practised and taught, it follows that the island of Ceylon is no exception to the rule, and, as a matter of fact, for a good many years past the art has been successfully taught in certain of its schools. But it is, of course, at Colombo, the capital, that the greatest activity in the propagation and use of the art is noticeable, and it is here that Mr J. Crosby Rodrigo, F.I.P.S., principal of the Metropolitan School of Shorthand and Typewriting, 134 Hultsdorf street, has been for some years past an enthusiastic standard bearer in the cause of phonographic progress and the promotion of type. writing efficiency.

The subject of the present notice was born in Ceylon twenty-nine years ago, and first seriously turned his attention to the study of the twin arts upon his appointment in February, 1892, as Secretary of the Ceylon Medical College and Curator of the Ceylon Medical Museum. Prior to this appointment, his acquaintance with the subjects was entirely elementary, but in the performance of his official duties he soon became convinced of the great help which a thorough knowledge of shorthand would confer. How well he succeeded in reducing his theory to practice may be inferred by the fact that within two years he was found competent to discharge the responsible duties of assistant secretary to the Colonial Medical Library, official short

are obvlous. Conspicuous among these tasks were his verbatim reports of the inaugural address of Dr Philip S. Brito, the then Regius Professor of Physiology, lectures which had more than professional interest, and to which the general public was usually admitted. Some of these reports were published in the Ceylon Examiner, of which Mr Rodrigo was the accredited representative, and were subsequently printed, with the sanction of the Professor, in pamphlet form, and circulated among the medical profession both in and out of Ceylon. Mr Rodrigo's proficiency as a practical stenographer was acknowledged when the Government of Ceylon deputed him to report the locally celebrated case of Austin v. He has been engaged in similar difficult work on many other occasions.

Austin.

In June, 1899, the Government of Ceylon appointed Mr Rodrigo instructor in shorthand and typewriting to the Ceylon Technical College (the only Government institution which included these subjects in its curriculum), and this appointment he held as long as they were included in the syllabus. This appointment may be described as Mr Rodrigo's first practical introduction to public teaching, and in this field of labour he acquitted himself with marked success. At the desire of his erstwhile pupils at the Ceylon Technical College, and of other would-be students and parents, who were sufficiently appreciative of the value of shorthand and typewriting in association with commercial education, Mr Rodrigo inaugurated the school of which he is now the Principal. This institution is centrally situated, and well equipped with an excellent supply of shorthand literature and periodicals, and with typewriting machines of the leading makes. In addition to the subjects they represent, instruction is given in other branches of knowledge essential to a thorough commercial education, such as book-keeping and commercial accounts. The school has been most successful, and the leading Ceylon newspapers have passed well-deserved encomiums upon it. His official duties and the conduct of his school have not altogether absorbed his abilities, for Mr Rodrigo has found time to contribute to several phonographic periodicals, and to one of the papers in the island he furnished a popular column under the title of "Medical Mems."

[graphic]

(From a photo by Andrée, Colombo.)

hand reporter and accountant to the Ceylon branch of the British Medical Association, clerk to the Government Analyst, clerk to the Rustomjee Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy Scholarship Fund, etc., posts which he has held for over eight years.

The labours of this period of activity are embodied in the numerous verbatim reports of the meetings of the local branch held at Colombo which appeared in the British Medical Journal, the official organ of the Association. It was during this time also that Mr Rodrigo was frequently called upon to report lectures delivered at the Ceylon Medical College, the records of which are preserved in the archives of that institution. The difficulties of this class of work, necessitating as it does acquaintance with a vast technical terminology,

Mr Rodrigo's phonographic career is epitomized in the following facts relative to his qualifications and

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