WITH the present tendency to "Trusts" and "Combinations" marching ing in such grand (?) and engulfing glory as at the present day, it cannot be astonishing to find that one of the strongest professions in this country should have no representative in the periodical line which is entirely clear from such influences. It cannot be true that the manufacturers and agents of the various machines on the market have not sought the aid of our representative periodicals for the purpose of spreading the knowledge of their existence and the advantages of their machines before the shorthand world. Such an assertion would not be listened to for a moment. Then it certainly must be true that those who do advertise in those papers have a monopoly of their columns for that purpose, though undoubtedly paying well for the privilege.

It has been said that a shorthand paper cannot live without some such arrangement with a wealthy corporation. Every manufacturer will say that he prefers to advertise through a medium which is entirely impartial, and whose report of contests not be biased by loyalty to any particular machine or manufacturer. The manufacturers know, with one or two exceptions, that other machines on the market have as good right to be there as those of their make, and, though maintaining that their

machines possesses adantages not held by the others, admit that all have good points and will give some sort of satisfaction whenever and wherever used. They know, also, that no machine yet on the market presents the acme of perfection, and may possibly believe that none such will ever be brought forth.

With these facts before him the editor has determined to try the experiment of publishing an entirely impartial shorthand magazine, whose columns shall be open to all machines, and all systems of shorthand.

The columns of THE NATIONAL STENOGRAPHER will not be filled solely by reports of associations, though that will be a prominent feature of the magazine, and letters from different stenographers on various subjects, but shall travel outside of this beaten and easy path, and give to its readers the productions of shorthand writers, literary, social, mechanicalwhatever it finds that will show forth and illustrate the fact that men and women of shorthand are not mere machines, but have brains, and pretty lively ones at that.

Books sent to THE NATIONAL STENOORAPAER for review will receive careful attention, and whatever the editor may have to say about them will not be from any personal interest in any other book.

ALL association news should reach THE NATIONAL not later than the 10th of each month.

THE editor is not responsible for the statements made and ideas advanced in signed articles, but for all unsigned articles he, and he alone, is responsible.

THE editor calls attention to the amount of advertising exhibited in this, the first number of THE NATIONAL STENOGRAPHER, as showing the confidence so quickly placed in the success of a magazine based upon the independent principle. This rather unexpected appreciation will aid very materially in the growth of THE NATIONAL, the purpose being to increase its size as fast as the advertising and subscription list will permit.

THE NATIONAL STENOGRAPHER offers the following cash prizes to its subscribers who are also stenographers or typewritists:

For best short story, of not less than 3500 and not more than 4000 words in length...$50.00 For second best, same length...

For third best, same length.

For fourth best, same length...

Competing MSS. to be received not later than Jnne 1, 1890.

25.00

10.00

5.00

All MSS. sent to compete for prizes to become the property of THE

NATIONAL STENOGRAPHER upon their receipt.

The prizes will be awarded in the July, 1890, number.

THE Prospectus of THE NATIONAL STENOGRAPHER was sent to stenographers in all parts of this country, and the following are extracts from a few of the replies:

"I am delighted with the prospect of having the opportunity of reading a magazine conducted by practical stenographers and devoted to the interests of stenographers." SAM C. DUNHAM, [U. S. Senate.]

"If the principles as laid down in the Prospectus are carried out, I feel sure that it [THE NATIONAL STENOGRAPHER] will be a great success, and meet with the support such a magazine deserves. The magazines now published are too much prejudiced in favor of a certain writing-machine or a certain system or school of shorthand. "

J. D. STRACHAN. [Brazil, Ind.]

"It is refreshing to know that a practical, competent court stenographer has concluded to give the stenographic world a meritorious magazine."

H. W. THORNE. [Johnstown, N. Y.]

"The magazine will fill a long felt want, and I trust it will receive the universal support of all stenographers. I am a subscriber to three shorthand journals, but they are either partial to some writing machine or an exponent of the editor's shorthand peculiarities; and I think the name of the editors and associates is a sufficient guarantee of the substantial reading matter THE NATIONAL SHENOGRAPHER will coutain."

C. H. STRAWHECKER. [Faribault, Minn.]

"There is an excellent field for an independent and fearless shorthand magazine, as your such prospectus outlines." J. S. ROGERS, [Camden, N. J.]

"The prospectus of THE NATIONAL STENOGRAPHER is at hand, and looked over with much interest. You have secured a fine Board of Associate Editors, and have announced a platform which, if adhered to, should make your new paper a popular one with stenographers and typewriter operators; you have my best wishes for your success.” E. N. MINER. [Editor Phonographic World.]

"Of course such men as your prospectus names would make sensible reading, and I hope THE NATIONAL STENOGRAPHER may supply the demand for a good readable journal for stenographers." THOS. I. DANIEL. [Jackson, Mich.]

These show that our present contemporaries, The Phonographic World, The Shorthand Review, The Phonographic Magazine, Frank Harrison's Magazine, and others, though most admirable, The World being exceedingly newsy, do not quite satisfy the stenographic public, and that a magazine founded upon impartiality in all matters relating to the profession, and which shall join hands with justice and truth, must succeed.

The Phonographic Magazine, for December, contains its usual number of beautifully engraved plates of Pitman shorthand, together with interesting items of news from all parts of the country. Mr. Howard promises to increase the size of his magazine by the addition of eight pages, and has in preparation a series of "fac-simile notes by eminent reporters" and of "artistically executed portraits of phonographic celebrities."

One Hundred Valuable Suggestions to Shorthand Students, by Shelby A. Moran, is filled with interesting matter for its readers. It tells how, when and where to practice and what to practice with; tells about pronunciation, pens to use, longhand, punctuation, spelling, ink, pencils. Gives some wise suggestions as to changing systems, manner of holding the the pen or pencil, position in which to sit, kind of note books or paper to use, what sized characters to make and about numerous things in which the stenographer is interested.

FRED IRLAND.

There is no one so well known to the shorthand world as Fred Irland, of Detroit, whose portrait we give in this number together with a sample of his notes and longhand. He has been in the profession for years, always striving for the highest possible standard and maintaining that nothing else should be satisfactory to any one. It was through his efforts that the demonstration of the possibilities of shorthand was brought about. When he made certain statements as to the speed at which shorthand could be written he was frowned upon and his ideas scouted by a few. He was immovable in his purpose and now the stenographers of the world are as busy as bees striving for what they now know to be possible but who had formerly been content with getting through a day's work worn out and discouraged. It is a safe statement to say that many a stenographer now does the work with ease he once groaned over. For this improvement they are indebted to the subject of this sketch. Mr. Irland has in all probability spent as many days at the reporter's table as any of the younger generation, and has proven all his positions by actual work.

THE NATIONAL will present from time to time exhaustive articles from Mr. Irland, presenting certain features of everyday work in his usual strong style.

JOHN W. BOWMAN, whose shorthand, portrait and longhand we also show in this issue, is one of Phladelphia's best reporters. His shorthand is most excellent, and his longhand "as good as print," as one of the compositors remarked while setting type from it. Mr. Bowman tells you in this issue what a time he had to get a system fitted to his organization, and he has told it in such an interesting way that it were folly for us to remark in the premises.

**

Frank Harrison's Shorthand Magazine for December is at hand, and full of interesting matter, containing, among other good articles the following: Typewritists that get bounced Horace B. Deubler; Priceless value of shorthand in journalism Rev. W. G. Thrall.

The Business Woman's Journal, is edited and published by Mary F. Seymour, 38 Park Row, New York City. Miss Seymour furnishes to her sex a most entertaining publication. She is a stenographer of experience, and merits the support she is receiving. Her journal has now reached the close of its first year of prosperous existence, and starts in upon its second year with the brightest possible prospects.

*

Melton's Sloan-Duployan Shorthand Journal under the editorial management of Prof. W. O. Melton and Mrs. Minnie C. Melton, will be issued from Kansas City, its first number appearing about Jan. 1, 1890. 16 pages, $1.00 per year. Prof. Melton is an enthusiast and will, beyond question, produce a very interesting journal.

The Phonographic world for December contains many good things. What American preachers have to say about shorthand, is continued, as well as Extracts from David Copperfield as written by leading shorthand writers, and early congressional Debates and Reporters. Mr. George R. Bishop shows how the aspirate problem is treated in his system, and Mr. W. B. Wylie shows how he does it by using the former sh for h,

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