7 Jan., 1888 The Phonetic Journal. bia on the mission to which he had so chivalrously devoted himself, he sent me his phonographic library, which I value greatly as a memorial of a man of rare energy, brilliant talent, and sterling worth. Another well-known man to whom I applied was Prof. Max Müller, who, I knew, was greatly interested in the subject of Phonetic spelling. This was his response to my application "Oxford, 25 May, '86. "Dear Sir,-I have long been an admirer of Mr Pitman, and for his sake shall gladly join the committee of the Phonographic Jubilee and Tercentenary of modern shorthand. I am afraid, however, that I shall be of very little practical use to you, particularly as I am seldom in England during the autumn. "I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, "F. MAX MÜLLER.' Prof. Sayce also sent in his adhesion to our movement; as did, at a later period, Sir Charles Russell, the eminent advocate; Sir Edward Clarke, Solicitor-General, the Lord Advocate, Mr Ince, Q.C., Mr Picton, M.P., and several other members of Parliament, besides many persons of distinction in the literary and journalistic world, including Sir Algernon Borthwick, the proprietor of the Morning Post, and President of the National Association of Journalists; and my old friend, Mr James Clarke, the editor of the Christian World. We were also able to add the names of Dr J. H. Gladstone, Dr Parker, of the City Temple; Dr W. R. Gowers (all old phonographers); Mr J. Sparkes, of the Science and Art Department; and the Rev. R. Garnett and Mr E. Thompson, of the British Museum. From these gentlemen we did not, of course, expect much personal help; but we were glad to receive assurance of their sympathy and interest in our efforts. Strange as it may seem, the chief difficulty which I apprehended was in arousing anything like a real interest in the movement on the part of professional shorthand writers and reporters, without which the celebration would have been shorn of half its triumphs. It has long been a matter of observation—I have several times referred to it in the pages of this journalthat those who gain their livelihood by shorthand are, as a rule, but little interested in the art which they practise; and I certainly feared that we should not easily overcome the vis inertiæ of the craft. Amongst the legal shorthand writers there were but three or four on whose co-operation we could reasonably count. In the Reporters' Gallery we had not many warm adherents; and on the provincial press the interest in the matter was, to say the best, languid. It was therefore necessary to apply a little healthy stimulus in these quarters; and the acting members of our committee set themselves to work in that direction. I was fortunately able to enlist the co-operation of several of the leading shorthand writers in the Law Courts, who wisely came to the conclusion that that branch of the profession ought to be well represented at the Congress. Not a few of the fraternity were at first disposed to hold aloof, under the impression that the gathering was to be simply one of doctrinaires and amateurs; but I assured them that it was the committee's earnest desire to give great prominence to the practical bearings of shorthand, and to promote the discussion of the very questions in which professional shorthand writers were especially interested. At a later period I read a paper on the subject before the members of the Institute of Shorthand Writers practising in the Supreme Court of Judicature, which was fully discussed by those present. I also proposed at the annual meeting of the members, that the Institute should subscribe £25 to the Congress Fund, and had the satisfaction of seeing the motion carried by a large majority. We were also successful in our appeal to the Reporters' Gallery, and were able to add to the list of the committee the names of the chiefs, and some of the other members of the principal Parliamentary corps attached to the London morning papers, including Mr Leycester, the "summary" writer of the Times, Mr Heckscher, chairman of the Reporters' Gallery and the representative of "Reuter"; and Mr Bussey, the chief of the Hansard "corps. The historic House of Gurney, too, was well represented on our committee. Indeed, one of the earliest friends to join us was Mr Gurney-Salter, the shorthand writer of the Houses of Provincial journalism, too, had numerous representatives on Several other very useful members of the committee represented chiefly the large and important class of shorthand clerks, whose interests could not, of course, be overlooked in such a project. But as the Congress was to be an International one, it was obviously necessary to appeal to our foreign friends, and we accordingly sent out a large number of invitations to gentlemen occupying high positions in the shorthand world. We had many and gratifying responses. Among the first to send in his adhesion was our good friend Dr Zeibig, of Dresden, who was subseqnently delegated to the Congress by the Saxon Ministry, by the Royal Stenographic Institute of Dresden, and also by the Tachygraphic Society of Barcelona. As the well-known German historian of shorthand, and as a distinguished practitioner of the art, Dr Zeibig was hailed by us all as a valued colleague. He was the chief representative among us of the great Gabelsberger school of Germany. Later on, another shorthand veteran joined our ranks, Dr Michaelis, of Berlin, chief of the Stenographic Bureau of the Prussian Upper House, the recognized head of the rival German school of Stolze. His advanced ageupwards of 80-precluded him from attending the Congress, but he manifested a deep interest in everything relating to it. As an old personal acquaintance-I had met him in Berlin many years ago I was especially glad to receive his kind offer of cooperation. Among our other German friends who joined the committee were Prof. Faulmann, of Vienna; Herr Stern, director of the Stenographic Bureau of the Austrian Reichsrath; Herr Max Bäckler, Dr Berthold, Dr Dreinhöfer, Herr Dziembowski, of Berlin; and Dr Karl Eggers, Royal Senator, of Karlsbad. In Paris we had the welcome assistance of M. Grosselin, chief of the Official Stenographic service, M. Guénin, a member of the corps, and the author of several well-known shorthand works, and M. Grignán. Brussels was represented by M. La Comblé, chief of the Stenographic Corps of the Senate. In Rome, Signor Marzovati, chief of the Stenographic Corps of the House of Representatives, sent us his name and offer of assistSweden was represented by Mr. Bäckman, of Kristinehamn; Norway by Mr Cappelin, chief of the Stenographic Bureau of the Storthing; Denmark by Mr Dessau, chief Parliamentary Stenographer of Copenhagen, and Mr Salomon. From the United States we had not so large a representation as we desired; but were able to add the familiar names of Mr D. F. Murphy, of Washington (said to be the best paid shorthand official in the world), Mr H. M. Parkhurst, Mr G. R. Bishop, of the New York Stock Exchange; Mr Demming, of Harrisburg; Mr Clephane, of Washington; and Mr. Elias Longley. ance. We thus had the advantage of a thoroughly representative committee to work with-such a committee, I suppose, as had never before been formed in connection with a shorthand gathering. (To be continued.) On the 13th December, Mr John Leng, editor of the Dundee Advertiser, (in the unavoidable absence of the Earl of Strathmore) opened an exhibition of industry in Dundee. The exhibits are of the most varied character, and many fine specimens illustrative of the various modes of printing (lithography and stereotyping included) are shown; and as Phonography has had much to do with the success of the newspaper and with many branches of knowledge, it would have been unfortunate if some recognition of the art had not been made. Phonography, however, is represented. A large case of phonographic works, under the auspices of the Dundee Phonographic Association, occupies a prominent position in the North Hall. The principal volumes 1 exhibited are Macaulay's Essays," a book now difficult to get, and written by Mr Pitman himself; the New Testament, lately published, printed from engraved types; the New Testament published in 1851; the Phonographic Correspondent for 1849 and 1850; Milton's "Paradise Lost," "Consolations in Travel, or the Last Days of a Philosopher," by Sir Humphrey Davy, Bart.; a complete set of phonographic instruction books; and many other volumes. To adorn and finish the exhibit, portraits of Mr Isaac Pitman and Mr Thomas Allen Reed, and a photograph of the Phonetic Institute have been placed in the case, also a specimen of Mr Reed's writing at a rate of 213 words a minute. During the short time that the Exhibition has been open the shorthand display has proved of great interest, and has attracted a full share of the visitors' attention. The exhibit will tend to stimulate young aspirants to the study of Phonography in a place where it is so largely recognized and taught. The third revise of the Regulations and Time Table for 1888 of the Oxford Local Examinations has been issued, containing the additional subjects which candidates may now take up. Candidates may now offer any one or more of the following extra subjects: (i) Book-keeping by Double Entry, Foreign Weights and Measures, and the Principles of Exchange. (ii) Shorthand Writing (Pitman's system). (iii) Précis Writing. (iv) French Commercial Correspondence. (v) German Commercial Correspondence. (vi) Geometrical Drawing. Candidates who satisfy the examiners in other subjects, and who pass in any of the above subjects, will have such subjects endorsed on the back of their certificate, but no candidate will be examined in more than four of these subjects. The examination will take place in July only, and the same papers will be set to all candidates, whether they seek junior or senior certificates. The determination to examine candidates in the above extra subjects having been arrived at by the delegates at too late a date to permit of the introduction of a complete scheme into the Regulations for 1888, the delegates have decided to issue the foregoing temporary regulations. Mr Gurney Salter writes from 26 Abingdon street, Westminster, London, S.W. :-"I observe that one of your correspondents in the Phonetic Journal for 24th December, states that the Shorthand Society has passed a resolution which has been published in The Times, to the effect that the action taken by Mr Reed and his co-memorialists was an unfair attempt to gain advantage for one particular system, or to prejudice the [London School] Board in its favor, and proceeds to make some remarks on the subject of fairness. I can find no such resolution in The Times and I think there has been a confusion between the Shorthand Society and a totally different body. However, as it is very desirable to prevent any misapprehension on such a subject, I give the words of the only resolution which the Shorthand Society has recently passed relating to the London School Board:-That this Society, a body discussing and investigating various systems of shorthand, deems it expedient to inform the members of the London School Board that it would regard the memorial presented to the Board on the 24th November as prejudicial to the progress of shorthand if it had the effect of inducing the Board to teach only one system of shorthand in the day schools of the Board.' It will be seen that this resolution conveyed no personal insinuation." Our correspondent appears to have mistaken the resolution passed by the Shorthand Society for that passed by the Shorthand Writers' Association, Westminster. We understand that the Shorthand Society wisely declined to adopt the Westminster resolution, and accepted it only in the very modified form given in Mr Salter's letter. [First Staje ov the Spelling Reform.] JURNALISTIK NOTES. The New Year wil witnes the birth ov several jurnalz, and the beginning ov the kareer ov some otherz which saw the light in the klozing dayz ov the old year. Perhaps the most important venture iz that promist erly in January under the titel ov The Star a Radikal Evening Jurnal, with Mr T. P. O'Connor, M.P., az editor. Another new metropolitan evening paper made its first appearans at the end ov Desember, namely, the Evening Post, projekted by Mr Marks ov the Financial News. It iz singular to note how littel novelty iz attempted, or iz perhaps possibel, in the titelz ov new jurnalz. Old newzpaper readerz wil remember the Morning Star started in 1856 on the abolishon ov the newzpaper stamp duty, which expired in 1870, while there ar now morning and evening Posts in London and the list ov Posts in the provinsez, "Flying" and otherwize, iz, ov kourse, a tolerably long one. Parliamentary reporting wil, it iz antisipated, form the subjekt ov deliberashon ov a Joint Kommittee ov both Houzez erly in the ensuing seshon at Westminster, in fulfilment ov a pledj given by the Guvernment when there woz a debate in Kommittee ov Supply on the subjekt, sum notis ov which wil be found in paje 417 ov last year. The faults alléjd against Hansard ar urjd from two points ov view. Sum memberz komplain that speakerz ar allowd to over-edit their speechez, and otherz that the reports ar not suffishently ampel. Whether, all thingz konsiderd, Hansard kan be very greatly improved on for praktikal purposez, or whether any new arranjement wud be anything like so ekonomikal, ar open questionz. For the prezent Mr T. C. Hansard wil kontinue the time-honord issue. "Faking" iz one ov the teknikal, if inelegant, termz ov the jurnalistik profeshon for which we ar indeted to America. From America kumz a very good definishon ov the praktis, which iz not very different from the praktis ov "vamping," ov which a good deal woz herd in an akshon at law four yearz ago between two London newz kumpaniz, "vamping" being the expanshon ov telegramz ov a dozen wordz or les into long narrativz. Here iz Mr W. H. Hills'z definishon ov the Amerikan praktis given in an artikel in the Writer:-"Faking' in newzpaper fraze meanz jenerally not the invenshon oy the important fakts ov a story, but the supplying, by the exersize ov kommon sens and a helthy imajinashon, ov unimportant detailz which may serv an exsellent purpos in the embellishment ov a despatch." This praktis, we ar told, differz from lying in this delikate way, that, whereaz the main outline ov the "faked" story iz striktly truthful, the unimportant detailz which serv to make the narrativ pikturesk may not be borne out by the fakts; that in praktis the writer who haz sertain fakts in hiz pozeshon adz à few addishonal "fakts from hiz imajinashon, in order to bild up an interesting akount. If it wer suppozed that newzpaper writerz, on this side of the Atlantik at least, induljd in any praktis ov the kind, belief in the verasity ov our newzpaperz wud be konsider ably shaken, bekauz ov the impossibility ov diskriminating between the ascertaind and the imajind fakts. But leaving aside the question whether "faking" iz right or wrong, it iz obvious that the praktis iz liabel to grave abuse. Mr Hills, who duz not defend it, admits the diffikulty ov diskriminating between "faking" and lying. Az a matter ov biznes, he pronounsez that this method ov jurnalistik work duz not pay. ر با ب ا وقتا ༨! Iv x" V 66 —- “ >, ?%" "ཀ ? 小 ( A Fox fell down a deep well, in the sides of which he stuck his claws, and so for a while, kept his head up. A wolf came to take a peep down the well, and when the fox saw him, he said, "Oh, I Poor friend! you are in a sad beg of you to run for a rope, or some such thing, to pull me out, for I am at the point of death!" if you wish me strait," said the wolf; "I grieve for you with all my heart! How Nay," said the fox, long have you been here?" well, don't stand there to say soft words to me, but get me some help, and that soon, or I must die." The wolf then gave one more sigh, and went home, and the poor fox sank, to rise no more. 762 -6. As soon as he was gone, my wife called a council on the conduct of the day, She was of opinion that it was a most fortunate hit; for she had known even stranger things at last brought to bear. She hoped again to see the day in which we might hold up our heads with the best of them; and concluded she protested she could see no reason why the two Miss Wrinkles should marry great fortunes. and her As this last argument was directed to me, I children get none. protested I could see no reason for it neither, nor why Mr Simpkins "this is the got the ten thousand pounds prize in the lottery, and we sat down "I protest, Charles," cried my wife, with a blank. way you always damp my girls and me when we are in spirits.Tell me, Sophy, my dear, what do you think of our new visitor? Don't you think he seemed to be good natured."-" Immensely so I think he has a deal to say upon indeed, mamma," replied she. he is well enough everything, and is never at a loss; and the more trifling the subject, the more he has to say."-" Yes," cried Olivia, These for a man; but for my part, I don't much like him, he is so extremely impudent, and familiar; but on the guitar he is shocking.' two last speeches I interpreted by contraries. I found by this that وصل Jv) وسأ , Sophy internally despised, as much as Olivia secretly admired him. Whatever may be our opinions of him, my children," cried I, to confess a truth he has not prepossessed me in his favor. Disproportioned friendships ever terminate in disgust; and I thought, notwithstanding all his ease, that he seemed perfectly sensible of the distance between us. Let us keep to companions of our own rank. There is no character more contemptible than a man that is a fortune-hunter; and I can see no reason why fortune-hunting women should not be contemptible too. Thus, at best we shall be contemptible if his views are honorable; but if they be otherwise! I should shudder but to think of that. It is true, I have no apprehensions from the conduct of my children, but I think there are some from his character. I would have proceeded, but for the interruption of a servant from the squire, who, with his compliments, sent us a side of venison and a promise to dine with us some days after. This well-timed present pleaded more powerfully in his favor than anything I had to say could obviate. I therefore continued silent, satisfied with just having pointed out danger, and leaving it to their own discretion to avoid it. That virtue which requires to be ever guarded, is scarcely worth the sentinel. The happiness of a country fire-side. 44 As we carried on the former dispute with some degree of warmth, in order to accommodate matters, it was universally agreed, that we should have a part of the venison for supper, and the girls undertook the task with alacrity. "I am sorry,' neighbor or stranger to take part in this good cheer: feasts of this cried I, "that we have no kind acquire a double relish from hospitality." cried my wife, "here comes our good friend, Mr Burchell, that saved Bless me!' our Sophia, and that run you fairly down in the argument."—" Confute me in argument, child!" cried I; "you mistake there, my dear. I believe there are but few that can do that: I never dispute your abilities at making a goose-pie, and I beg you'll leave argument to me." As I spoke, poor Mr Burchell entered the house, and was welcomed by the family, who shook him heartily by the hand, while little Dick officiously reached him a chair. I was pleased with the poor man's friendship for two reasons: because I knew that he wanted mine, and I knew him to be friendly as far as he was able. He was known in our neighborhood by the character of the poor gentleman that would do no good when he was young, though he was not yet thirty. He would at intervals talk with great good sense; but in general he was fondest of the company of children, whom he used to call harmless little men. was famous, I found, for singing them ballads, and telling them He 1 ୯ stories; and seldom went out without something in his pockets for them; a piece of ginger-bread or a halfpenny whistle. He generally came for a few days into our neighborhood once a year, and lived upon the neighbors' hospitality. He sat down to supper among us, and my wife was not sparing of her gooseberry wine. The tale went round; he sung us old songs, and gave the children the story of the Buck of Beverland, with the History of Patient Grissel, the adventures of Catskin, and then Fair Rosamond's Bower. Our cock, which always crew at eleven, now told us it was time to repose; but an unforseen difficulty started about lodging the stranger; all our beds were already taken up, and it was too late to send him to the next alehouse. In this dilemma, little Dick offered him his part of the bed, if his brother Moses would let him lie with him. "And I," cried Bill, will give Mr Burchell my part, if my sisters will take me to theirs."-" Well done my good children," cried I, hospitality is one of the first Christian duties. The beast retires to his shelter, and the bird flies to its nest; but helpless man can |_ caly find refuge from his fellow-creature. The greatest stranger in this world was He that came to save it. He never had a house, as f willing to see what hospitality was left remaining amongst us. 604 ; ( ) Deborah, my dear," cried I to my wife, "give those boys a lump of sugar each; and let Dick's be the largest, because he spoke first." Such was the second attempt to effect general pacification—a proposal for a separate treaty with Great Britain. What had been the first? The conclusion of a separate treaty with Austria; and there are two anecdotes connected with the conclusion of this treaty, which are sufficient to illustrate the disposition of this pacificator of Europe. This very treaty of Campo Formio was ostentatiously professed to be concluded with the Emperor for the purpose of enabling Bonaparte to take the command of the army of England, and to dictate a separate peace with this country on the banks of the Thames. But there is this additional circumstance, singular beyond all conception, considering that we are now referred to the treaty of Campo Formio as a proof of the personal disposition of the Consul to general peace. He sent his two confidential and chosen friends, charged to communicate to the Directory this treaty; to annonnce to them that one enemy was humbled, that the war with Austria was terminated, and, therefore, that now was the moment to prosecute their operations against this country: they used on this occasion the memorable words: "The kingdom of Great Britain and the French Republic cannot exist together." This, I say, was the solemn declaration of the deputies and ambassadors of Bonaparte himself, offering to the Directory the first-fruits of this first attempt at general pacification. (231) |