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A CAUTION TO TYPEWRITING

LEARNERS.

Mr T. S. Vaidyanatha Aiyar, B.A., Instructor to the Stella Typewriting Institute, Teppakulam, Trichinopoly, South India, sends us the follo wing communication:

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From personal experience first as a student and subsequently as an instructor of typewriting in India, the writer desires to submit the following observations. First of all, many an one who is fully desirous of learning this art to its very completion and perfection, appears possessed of the false notion that he must know all at once. **Slow but steady shall win the race is forgotten by the beginner. He asks the instructor "How long am I to be practising the alphabet and the several exercises adopted for correct fingering? What harm is there in my beginning to type sentences and paragraphs at once?" These are questions that he is tempted to put for two main reasons. First, amateurs of the art impress on the minds of their students the idea that anyone who knows the 26 characters of the English alphabet has but to strike the corresponding key of the keyboard of the typewriter, no matter with what finger, which hand, or what amount of force is applied to the keys. The beginner having come in reach of such instruction, adopts or tries to adopt a similar course elsewhere, unless he is prevented from doing so with a strong and determined band. Second, the money that is being spent every month in the shape of school fees by the typewriting student being comparatively equal to, if not greater than, the fees for a high standard of a general educational course, the student tries to make the most of his opportunities by this leaps-and-bounds method of typing sentences all at once, without actually caring for the correct method of fingering and the proper quality and quantity of touch, so rigorously required for accurate, neat, and rapid typing. The student entirely forgets the maxim, "The gentler the touch, the more charming will be the typing." Hence, first of all, let not the student of typewriting be overhasty in the beginning, lest haste make complete waste.

Nex', the writer has noted that the amateur typist has too great a fancy to meddle too much with the mechanism of the typewriter. This fancy is created by the wrong'ul notion that he cherishes of becoming an expert typist, as well as a typewriter mechanic or repairer, as he would like to be called, within a short space of, say, one or two months with a practice of an hour per diem. Expertness in the art of typewriting can be attained only by the student who spends or has spent time in learning each minute detail both of the way of general typing and of the mechanism of the machine he uses. Hence, let not the beginner in this muchcoveted art indulge too much in the use of screw-drivers and wrenches, lest he drives himself to the necessity of deeply brooding over his sore mistake.

It is a general tendency among students of typewriting to type post cards. Of course, typing on post cards is not to be strictly prohibited, but students would do well to remember that the insertion of a stout post card into the machine decreases the curvature, and, therefore, increases the circumference or thick

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We are in receipt of your letter of the 22nd inst and in row ply to same beg to inform you that we never take back packing of any kind, and are, therefore, not prepared to purchase the baga or barrels offered by you.

With respect to the complaint as to the alleged inferior quality of our packages, we beg to state that the barrels, in which the first 70 barrels of powder were supplied were specially made, end fitted with copper hoops of Government pattern. The subsequent lots of powder were, by your own instructions, packed in new barrels of our ordinary make of thoroughly seasoned oak, about which we have never before received any complaint, and we are confident that no stronger or better made package is produced

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Regarding the bags, it is true that we did make use of some which had previously been used by us for the storage of powder. Such bags, however, were carefully examined and if necessary repaired before filling, and we are certain that when they left us there was not an unsound one among them. The sample bag returned by you seems to have got discoloured, and to have been rather roughly used; it is, however, still quite tight and sound The last lot of bags sent out were specially made for you and were absolutely new.

Trusting this explanation will prove satisfactory, and that the trouble will not occur again,

We remain,

Yours truly

ness of the cylinder, which has the effect of lengthening the distance from the circumference to the centre of typing, and the type bars, being limited in length, will have to strike not in the original centre but at a new one a little below the ordinary line, thus giving room for derangement in alignment. Hence it should be remembered that card typing has its limitations.

ENGLISH VOCABULARIES -It is stated by a country clergyman that some labourers in his parish have not 300 words in their vocabulary. An average well-educated person in England seldom uses more than about 4 000 words in actual conversation; accurate thinkers and close reasoners employ a larger stock, and eloquent speakers have at command about 10,000. Shakspere, who displayed a greater variety of expression than probably any writer in any language, produced all his plays with about 15,000 words. Milton's works are built up with 8,000, and the Old Testament says all it has to say with 5,642 words.

DICTATION EXERCISES.

No. 10.

To follow Exercise 82 of "Pitman's Shorthand Instructor" or the

"Reporter."

(Counted in 20's.)

Among the distinguished personages present at the thanksgiving service in a metropolitan church last January was an archbishop; a benignant | Nonconformist preacher, with benignity in every feature; a professor of Nonconformity from a neighbouring Tabernacle; a benevolent Presbyterian, famous for his benevolence, especially to those connected with Presbyterianism; a leading Episcopalian and several members of the Episcopal bench, and a | philanthropist, who in philanthropy and philanthropic zeal sets an example of unexampled unselfishness to the world. There was also an ecclesiastic, whose name I was unable to ascertain, but whose dignified, yet melancholy, appearance attracted me. A fine, tall man he (1) was, in whom every baser feeling seemed extinguished. Holiness and dignity shone in every line of his face. The majesty | of his figure helped to dignify his whole appearance and stamp him as an ecclesiastic incapable of selfishness or meanness. | A man with a high appreciation of the dignity of the sacred ministry; who would not hesitate to remonstrate with | any offender against ecclesiastical orthodoxy, and who would insist upon an orthodox observance of the ecclesiastical laws with all the | power which he was evidently capable of showing, should occasion require it through a breach of orthodoxy by anyone subject (2) to his jurisdiction. The strong resolute mouth of the stranger convinced me that he was an administrator who would demonstrate his strength of will in any tribunal over which he might be called upon to preside. I could well imagine him to be a man who would discharge the duties consequent upon his appointment, regardless of any disappointment or displeasure he might give either to a plaintiff or a defendant. Doubtless then his present air of resignation and contentment would give place to dissimilar appearances, and he would simply be the judge and administrator of the law as he found (3) it. Clearly, he was a man who would distinguish himself in any position, either as a plenipotentiary representing a powerful | cabinet in an arbitration, or as an executor and trustee for a deceased friend. For the attainment of a worthy | object, or the atonement of a supposed fault, that man would relinquish any position and extinguish any private ambition. I should like to hear him preach on the resurrection and the celestial entertainment waiting for all who give up selfish | ways, and live henceforth a life distinguished for virtue. I noticed, also, Lieutenant-Col. Smith, Captain Brown, and a non-commissioned (4) cfficer who has been promised a lieutenancy as a reward for bravery in the field last November and December. Near them was an evangelical minister, formerly connected with Methodism, and also a statesman who was baptized a Baptist and holds | strong views regarding Baptism and the right to baptize infants. He addressed a public meeting lat February, and is to speak in Manchester next September. I observed, also, Lady Nemo, who is an administratrix and executrix under the will of a lady whose estates were so heavily mortgaged that she could obtain no further mortgage upon them under any circumstances. (500)

(To be continued.)

CORRESPONDENCE.

ESPERANTO AND PHONOGRAPHY.

Sir, I beg to tender you my best thanks for your article on " Esperanto" in your issue of the 14th Nov. In the concluding paragraph of that article you say, "To make its way permanently in the world it will need to gain the adhesion of men of business in all civilized nations." Despite the obviousness of this statement, it may surprise you to learn that such had only a secondary place in my efforts to bring Esperanto before the English public. From the moment when all the great possibilities of this marvellous language opened out before me, I resolved that my first aim would be to bring its advantages under the notice of my fellow phonographers here in England. Such was the aspect of the question that came home to me with the greatest force as I read, for the first time, the principles of Esperanto just a little year ago, such is the aspect of the question with me to-day, not one whit weakened but rather intensified. I said, "Let me once bring phonographers to see the utility of Esperanto in commercial life, let me win their advocacy, and the eventual success of the language is assured." And I candidly avow that every effort of mine aimed at that consummation. That I have succeeded, in some measure, at least, your thoughtful article is sufficient proof.

The question may, naturally, be asked, "Why did I desire so much to gain the ear of phonographers?" Among the many reasons I shall give one. Because, in the literary, scientific, and, above all, in the commercial world, phonographers are a great power to day, their influence is felt and seen in every phase of life. In every corner of the civilized world, I care not where one turns, Phonography is a power to be reckoned with, its influence is potential and universal. All this I know from a long and varied experience, and it is this which has been the chief reason of my desire to gain that power and that influence to Esperanto. I, myself, am a phonographer. For nigh a quarter of a century I practised the "winged art." I know its worth, indeed it has proved far and away the most important factor in any success I may have attained in life. And because I owe so much to Phonography, I am desirous of showing, in some way, my gratefulness; and because of this, I shall be always ready to give my services freely and gratuitously to such phoncgraphers as are desirous of joining classes and taking up the study of Esperanto. Should ten or twenty, or any number of them form a class, they may rely on my services. Need I say, this is for phonographers only. I shall be glad to receive any suggestion or communication re the arranging of classes in London.

J. C. O'CONNOR, B. A.

Esperanto House. St Stephen's square, Bayswater, London, W.

PROPOSED SHORTHAND TEACHERS' MEDALLION.

Sir, It was with very great pleasure that I read the letter of a shorthand teacher in your issue of the 7th November, advocating that a medallion should be granted to shorthand teachers. It has often struck me as surprising that this was not done many years ago. If your correspondent's suggestion were adopted, and a medal struck for shorthand teachers, the fact that such a decoration could be obtained would surely prove an incentive to those qualifying for teacherships to make a further effort to thoroughly master the art in order to enable him, or her, to be classed among these medallists. At meetings, etc., of phonographers it would be an easy matter then to distinguish those qualified to take the higher rank in the shorthand world. I am a shorthand teacher myself, and it would be my earnest effort to be the possessor of one of these medals at the first examination after they are struck.

AN AMBITIOUs Teacher,

Sir,-With reference to Mr Brooks's letter I would like to emphasize the suggestion that fellows of the teachers' shorthand societies should be in a position to wear a medallion on such occasions as he mentions. At the present time when fellowship is obtainable on a speed certificate alone, it certainly seems desirable that teachers of Phonography should possess some distinctive mark of their profession, and I would be inclined to limit the holders of the medallion to diploma ed teachers only, so that in making applications for a post under a public body, they would not be placed in unfair competition with a man holding a similar degree for which he had not passed through so stringent an examination as tba' demanded of the holder of the teacher's diploma. It would, I think, be well if the societies were to give this matter their consideration. A. J. JONES, F.I P.S.

Brighton.

PROPOSED ASSOCIATION OF BOOK KEEPING TEACHERS.

Sir, A letter on the above subject appeared in your columns a short time ago, which I am sure is deserving the serious consideration of all who are interested in commercial education. I do not know any better medium for such consideration than the columns of your Journal. Book-keeping having become an integral part of our commercial curriculum, I think it is very opportune to bring all teachers of the subject into association. In the best interests of book-keeping itself, it is important that there should be a recognised authority to determine as to the essential qualifications of those who undertake its tuition, to guide the authorities of our various educational institutions in their choice of teachers, and at the same time give some standing to the profession Wisely governed, such an association can only be for good, and I shou'd be pleased to see a further expression of opinion thereon.

LABOR OMNIA VINCIT.

INC. SOCIETY OF SHORTHAND TEACHERS.

LIVERPOOL DISTRICT.

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The second ordinary meeting of the sixth session of this District was held at the Y.M.C.A., Mount Pleasant, on 21st Nov. Mr D. Beeby presided. Mr H. E. Gleave's paper on "The use of n and f, v hooks" was well received, and the criticisms of Messrs J. Teevens, J T. Beck, D. Eaves, G. E. Griffiths, C. Thomas, and the Chairman were a useful outcome of the paper. A model lesson on "The joining of consonants was demonstrated on the blackboard by Mr J. T. Beck (member of the Executive), and the discussion on the presentation of the lesson and the methods and manner adopted was contributed to by Messrs C. Thomas, D. Eaves, D. Downey, T. A. Wynne, G. E. Griffiths, and D. Beeby. The next meeting will be held on 19th Dec., and shorthand teachers and others in the district desirous of attending the meetings can have agenda posted on intimation to the Sec, Mr C. Thomas, 29 Russell street.

SHEFFIELD DISTRICT.

The third annual meeting in connection with the above District was held at the Vegetarian Restaurant, Campo lane, Sheffield, on 21st Nov. After tea, Mr G Dawson (Chairman of the District), presided. The election of officers resulted as follows: Chairman, Mr B. Toplis (Rotherham); Vice-Chairman, Mr Geo. Dawson; Secretary, Mr A. Morris, Ronald road, Darnall, Sheffield; Council, Miss B. M. Jenkinson (Swinton); Messrs A. Davis, S. Whiteley, D. Summerfield, G. E. Brock (Grantham), H. A. Dawson (Barnsley). Mr W. H Jones (General Secretary of the Society) addressed the gathering at some length on the question of students' examinations, and gave many interesting facts concerning their increasing popularity. Mr Seth Whiteley gave a most interesting and practical paper entitled "Methods of Teaching as applied to Phonography," illustrated by diagrams. A discussion was opened by Mr B. Toplis, and followed up by remarks from Messrs D Summerfield, F. Dodson, and Miss B. M. Jenkinson. A model lesson on the "Initial and I hooks," by Mr E. W. M. Ellis, produced a most interesting discussion, opened by Mr A. Morris.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

INCORPORATED PHONOGRAPHIC SOCIETY. hand, typewriting, book keeping, arithmetic, commercial corre

MIDLAND (T S ).

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The next meetings of the Midland district will be held at the Pitman Hotel, Corporation street, Birmingham, on Saturday, 5th Dec. Program: 3 o'clock, Committee meeting at which important business will be considered. 4 o'clock, paper by Mr J. R. Taylor, F.I P.S. :-" Should the Intellectual Value of Shorthand be its Goal?" 5.30 o'clock, tea in the dining room of the hotel, IS. per head. 7.30 o'clock, paper by Mr W. G. Barker (President of the district), entitled Competence and Incompetence." Teachers of Phonography residing in the district are assured of a cordial welcome at these meetings. In view of the importance of the business, members of the committee are specially urged to be present at the 3 o'clock meeting. The Honorary Secretary, Mr W. Findley, Chingford, Chester road, near Birmingham, will be pleased to answer any queries concerning the work of the Society.

MR MARION CRAWFORD'S LITERARY METHODS.-It is doubtful whether there is any other living person who can produce quite so much first-cla's "copy as Mr F. Marion

Crawford, the well-known novelist. It is an ordinary thing for him to write 5,000 words in a day, and he really "writes" it. He tried dictating several times, but somehow could never make any headway. His "copy" is a work of art, but very unpopular with the printing fraternity. He writes a beautiful, clear, copperplate hand, and when he starts out his letters are of very good size, and as legible as typewriting. But as he proceeds the letters grow smaller and smaller, until finally they are not much larger than a pin-head. Some conception of the minuteness of his writing may be had when it is stated that his copy will generally run 1,750 words to a quarto page.

DUBLIN. The Emerald Standard School, Ranelagh -Shortspondence, algebra, mechanics, Euclid, and mensuration. Individual and class tuition. Thorough preparation and practice for all examinations, including Pitman and the Incorporated Society of Shorthand Teachers' certificates. Hours, 10 a.m. to 10 p m. Principal, Mr B. F. Higgins, F.Inc.S.T. (teacher's diploma).

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Answers to all inquiries relating to Shorthand, Typewriting, Commercial Education, Commercial Law, the Civil Service, and kindred subjects, will be published as soon after receipt as possible, but correspondents are requested to bear in mind that in some instances research taking time may be needful before satisfactory information can be furnished, and also that this Journal is sent to press eleven days in advance of the date of publication. Correspondents can be answered under initials or a pseudonym, whichever they prefer, but their names and addresses must be forwarded as a guarantee of good faith. All letters of inquiry should be addressed EDITOR, PITMAN'S PHONETIC JOURNAL, PHONETIC INSTITUTE, BATH.

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OUTLINES.-M. H. is advised that as the Teacher is an elementary work, it is not possible to give the full rules as to the half-length it and ld; the correct method, however, is shown, and in the "Instructor" or Manual" will be found the full rules. The precise angle at which aw is written is immaterial.-The back hook for -tion is used in two of the three outlines M. F. B. calls attention to; the reason why a different outline is adopted for enunciation is because the back hook does not, in this instance, give a sufficiently distinctive outline.-The two discrepancies to which W. H. B calls attention shall be remedied; his other question is answered elsewhere.-Warwick fiads a difficulty when practising in knowing when to apply the last sentence of rule 234. A little reflection should enable him to detect the class of words which come under this designation, and to discover why anybody takes the first position and nobody the second.-Clennam will find that the words hill and hilly are written with the tick h in

accordance with rule 121 of the Twentieth Century "Instructor." The rules for the suffixing, to which S. A. T. calls attention, surely furnish the utmost latitude in the selection of the particular termination to be used; the usage adopted in the instruction books is that of the Inventor of Phonography.-L. P. will find the rule for the employment of the tick the in rule 197, in which it is stated that when it is more convenient the tick is written upward."-The correct outline for rational about which J. H. W.

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inquires, is 5 We can find no such word in the English

dictionaries as that for which L. H. inquires the outline; we cannot undertake to provide an outline for a non-existent word.E. R. H. will find that the contraction forment is in practice nct strictly limited to the instances mentioned in par. 183 of the "Instructor "'; it is employed, for example, for the word enlistment, and in other outlines in the Twentieth Century "Dictionary."

OFFICIAL SHORTHAND WRITER.-A. P. who has, we gather, recently entered on journalistic work in consequence of reading "Pitman's Popular Guide to Journalism," is anxicus to secure a better position as official shorthand writer, or a permanent post as shorthand writer to a public authority. The positions to which our correspondent aspires are among the prizes of the calling, and are generally secured by those who have had long experience in the profession. However, this need not discourage A. P. Reporting work affords splendid openings for acquiring the superior skill needed to fulfil the duties of an official shorthand writer satisfactorily, while the possession of journalistic ability will secure for our correspondent opportunities for advancement, and for increasing his income by contributing to other newspapers and periodicals in addition to that on which he is actually engaged a recognised practice in the journalistic calling under the name of "linage." If our correspondent will do his best to gain ability and experience, and attend punctually and steadily to business, he will be qualified for the openings which lead to higher positions when they present themselves.

SHORTHAND SPEED PRACTICE and MEMORY.- Xylorite asks for guidance as to the improvement of the memory. In speed practice he finds a difficulty in recalling outlines.-Our correspordent should read a good amount of printed shorthand. He will thus greatly extend his acquaintance with phonographic outlines, and his knowledge of the right forms will enable him to readily recall the needful outlines and consequently to improve his speed.-Fonical cannot keep up his speed by merely reading printed shorthand; he should make an effort to obtain writing practice.

COUNTING SPEED MATTER.-T. J. W. writes suggesting that in speed tests it would be fairer to count lines of print than words.— If our correspondent will make a little investigation by the aid of the " Dictation Exercises" appearing in this Journal, he will see how fallacious is the idea he suggests. In No. 3, for example, 500 words occupy 47 lines, while in No. 9 last week the same total of 500 words extends over 57 lines. We have, we admit, taken two rather extreme cases; in the first exercise there are a great many amounts which are compactly stated in figures, while in the second there are a number of uncommonly long words. But they show what a far larger amount of shorthand would have to be written in the second instance than in the first. And again printed lines differ in length. Probably the very fairest way of computation would be that of syllables-but to say that a shorthand writer wrote so many syllables a minute would convey no intelligible idea of his attainments.

FRENCH SHORTHAND.-In answer to R T, we may say that there is no French system of shorthand which can be said to resemble in even a remote degree Pitman's Phonography. There are several French adaptations, that of J. Randall Bruce being the most complete and best adapted for the use of a Frenchman, while that of Thomas A. Reed is by far the best for the English phonographer who wishes to take notes in French. Some of Zeibig's works have been translated in America, but his ""History of Shorthand" has not, we believe, been issued in the form of an English translation.

RE-INKING TYPEWRITER RIBBONS.-Typiste is informed that typewriter ribbons cannot be profitably re-inked, even if the operator were able to procure the necessary dye, etc. Ordinary copying ink certainly would not be effective. Our correspondent should purchase a new ribbon from the manufacturers of the typewriter she uses whenever needfu',

TYPEWRITER SPEED PRACTICE.-K. S. A. (Tiruvadi) ir quires whether he could attain to a speed of 20 words a minute by regular practice for six months for two hours daily.-A much better rate ought to be possible with well directed practice. If our correspondent is able to procure "Pitman's Typewriter Manual (price 35.), he would be well advised to study the theoretical instruction there given, and type the various exercises for practice. He should be particularly careful to form good method's of fingering, with accuracy of execution. A few lessons from an expert operator would prove of the greatest assistance, with study and imitation of good typewriting work.

TEACHER'S CERTIFICATE FOR TYPEWRITING.-W. H. B. asks for advice as to preparation for a teacher's certificate for typewriting. Our correspondent is a very efficient typist, and a short course of postal lessons from a coach would, in our opinion, enable him to p ss creditably. He would thus secure the special guidance and practice needful in order to enable him to comply with the requirements of the examiners.

EXCISE ASSISTANT'S SALARY.-W. M. asks whether an Excise Assistant's salary which we quoted in the Journal of 7th Nov. as being £85 per annum is inclusive or exclusive of the officiating allowance.-The salary is £50 per annum together with the officiating and other allowances. Assistants are practically speaking always employed, and never get less than £85 in their first year of service. Assistants of Excise serve in any portion of the United Kingdom, they move from station to station at sometimes a few hours' notice, and their travelling expenses are fully repaid. The three or four years spent knocking about the three kingdoms are eminently useful in turning raw yourgsters into self-reliant men of business.

H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE CLERK WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF PRINTING -A correspondent asks what are his chances of obtairing one of these appointments, where he can obtain the previous papers, and when will an examination take place? He was for two years at his lccal grammar school, and served a six years apprenticeship to the general job and news printing trade. The previous examination papers canrot be obtained, but the age limits are 21 to 25, the fee £2, and the subjects handwriting, crthography, arithmetic, to vulgar and decimal fractions, Erglish composition, knowledge of printing including thorough knowledg of work and estimating. One successful candidate, whom we knew, had taken two silver medals in printing subjects at the City and Guilds of London It stitute

LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD CLERKSHIPS.-L R. asks for the rates of pay of these posts and for the address of the latter body. The address of the Head Office School Board for Lordon is Victoria Embankment, London, W.C. Fourth-class Clerks L CC commence at £80 rising by £5 annually to £100; Third-class Clerks School Board for London at £70, rising by £7 10s. to £140. In each case the classes above are recruited by the promotion of meritorious clerks from the lower classes. The days of the School B:ard for London are numbered.

LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL.-F. H. irquires for the subjects of examination. They are, Obligatory: handwriting, orthography, English composition, arithmetic, including cute root, mensuration, vulgar and decimal fractions, compound addition, gen graphy, shorthand or bock-keeping. Optional: any four of shorthand or book-keeping (whichever was not taken as an ob.igatory subject), algebra to quadratics, Latin, French, German, drawing, geometrical or model and perspective, mechanics, chemistry, economics and Local Government. Our correspondent can obtain previous papers from Me srs P. S. King and Son, price 4d., and the regulations, price id.

LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL EXAMINATION.-H. L. E. asks us whether his handwriting is suitable for this examination, whether it is much more difficult and if the competition is keer er than in the case of the Male Learners' examination.- Our correspordent's handwriting is f irly legible and careful. The examination for L.C C. clerkships is considerably more difficult, the range of subjects is wide, and the competition kɛeaer than that for Learrer in the G P.O. Study the answer given to F. H. in the present issue, and get the last published set of papers from Messrs P. S. King and Son, 2 Gt. Smith street, London, SW. There is no examination in the world, however, which a hardworking student need fear.

MALE LEARNERS G.P.O. MEDICAL EXAMINATION.-A. T. F. irquires when the next Male Learners' examination will take p'ace, and mentions that he has heart affection. He asks of what nature are the geography questions and whether maps are required. The next examination should be announced within six months, commercial geography is almost exclusively set, and a sketch map should be given wherever it is possible. Get the last papers published, ordering from any bookseller (published by Eyre and Spott'swoode at 6d), but if A. T. F. has any disease of the heart, he would not pass the medical test.

SECOND DIVISION CLERKSHIP OR SUPPLEMENTARY CLERK. C. L I. asks for which examination he should sit after passing the Male Learners' examination -If his home is in London, as it appears to be, we suggest that he should enter for the next Boy Clerks' examination, then study for the Second Division, taking up two language, and if appointed to any branch of the Post Office take the Supplementary Clerks examination after two years' service as a Second Division or Assistant C erk.

Our

COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST DEBTOR-"She" need not instruct an accountant to issue a county court summons against a debtor. Indeed, an accountant as such, has no recognised position in regard to such proceedings, and can only commence then by acting as " She's" clerk or representative. correspondent can commence proceedings personally. All that is necessary is to go to the County Court office, with two copies of the account against the debtor, setting out dates and items, ask for the necessary form, fill it up with the names and addresses of plaintiff and defe idant, the amount of the debt, and the nature of the claim, as "goods sold," "money lent," etc.; hand this in with the copy of the accounts and the fees, and the summons will be issued and the plaint note handed to "She." This will tell him the day on which the summons will be heard. He must be in attendance at the court on that day with any witnesses who can prove the order for the goods or the delivery of them, and he must pay the hearing fee, and wait till the case is called for hear ing. Many people issue proceedings themselves in this way. The costs allowed will consist of the court fees paid and possibly a small sum for witnesses' attendance.

PRIVATE SECRETARYSHIP.-W. J. H inquires whether a lady who writes shorthand at 100 words a minute and is well recommended could obtain a secretaryship. - Such positions are not readily secured without in flence of some kind, but in most cases expert typewriting skill is essential. If our correspondent desires to be thoroughly equipped in this art for secretarial and similar positions, she would do well to have a course of lessons in typewriting at Pitman's Metropolitan School.

MENTAL ARITHMETIC-Sunsheen would find suitable exercises in mental arithmetic in Pendlebury's Arithmetic, the larger edition, or in "Workman's Tutorial Arithmetic." Our correspondent's style of writing is irregular; he would find advantage in taking some lessons, either by personal attendance at Pitman's Metropolitan School or by post, if he cannot manage to attend.

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HANDWRITING Scrib should cultivate a somewhat smaller hand, and pay attention to the neater and smaller formation of loops; irregular forms of small e and g should be avoided.W. L. D. writes a fairly god h und, which if somewhat more compactly written, would, with care and practice. be well adapted for business.-The same advice may be given to A. a B. Both would find Vere Foster's Bold Writing Series, No. 19 a useful model.-F. E. P. needs to improve his capitals; he should Icop g, y, etc., in the usual way; if he wrote a trifl: more upright, the

appearance of his handwriting would be improved.-S. A. X. should use either Nos. 8 or 9 -C. A. C. should have a course of lessons under the writing master at Pitman's Metropolitan Sohool. Home practice is useless in our correspondent's case.

MISCELLANEOUS.-In making selection of a dictionary, S. A. T. will, other things being equal, fiad it advisable to procure the most recently published work. "Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary can be confidently recommended; the vocabulary includes a great number of new words, and the method of showing the pronunciation is remarkably clear and intelligible. The smaller dictionaries, though marvels of cheapness, are necessarily less satisfactory to the inquirer.-T. H. will find a work shortly announced in these pages which would be advantageous to a person in a life insurance office." She "can no doubt obtain the examination papers desired from the Secretary, Institute of Bankers, 34 Clement's line, Lombard street, London, E. C.; his handwriting is not suited for a bank clerk, a course of good lessons is absolutely needful. If R. R has completed the study of the Corresponding Style, he should get as much practice as possible from dictation, and go on studying "Pitman's Shorthand Reporter."- Norwood can obtain particulars of the examination he inquires about from the following: Secretary, Institute of Secretaries, 19 Birchin lane, Cornhill, London, E. C.; Secretary, Institute of Journalists, Tudor street, London, E.C.; Secretary, Incorporated Society of Musicians, 19 Berners street, London, W. -E. C. R is answered above.-Lancashire Lad is partly replied to in our reply to the above; particulars relative to the other fellowships may be obtained from Mr H. W. Harris, Secretary to the Incorporated Phonographic Society, 100 Mattison road, Harringay, London, N.; and Mr W. H. Jones, Secretary to the Incorporated Society of Shorthand Teachers, Birch Grove, Rusholme, Manchester.- Surveyor should obtain the catalogue of Messrs Crosby Lockwood and Son, 7 Stationers' Hall Court, London, E C., in which he will probably find a work on surveying that will meet his requirements - Fonical, who has been articled to an auctioneer, would probably find useful professional reading in the Estates Gazette, published at 6 St Bride street, London, E.C., price 2d. weekly.-W. L. D. should obtain Morrell's Spelling" (Cassell, price 6d.) and work through the book.E. S. F. consults us relative to the pronunciation of Latin. the language is a dead ore, modern nations pronounce it according to the methods adopted in their own language. In English instruction books on the language, what phonographers call the long and short vowels are marked, but very few people who have not had the advantage of a long course at a public school are able to attain to the conventional pronunciation on which head masters are extremely pedantic.-If Amicus proposes to start the study of book-keeping, he would do well to procure "Pitman's Primer of Book-keeping" (price is), but if he has some knowledge of the subject, then one of the more advanced manuals in Pitman's list should be studied. We are quite unable to cffer an opinion on his second question.- Esculapius and other correspondents shall be answered next week.

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PITMAN'S SHORTHAND CERTIFICATES.

The following Certificates are issued:

As

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.

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 28. 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.

TEACHER'S CERTIFICATE.-A Shorthand Teacher's Certificate is issued to candidates after examination. Fee 5s.

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.

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