upwards of seventeen years, been a member. This advice is especially addressed to those first entering on the duties of a clerkship, as it is in the early part of his life that the care of, or inattention to, his best interest, will most assuredly make or mar his future prospects.

As the position of the clerk in the Government office, or the office of a public company, differs in some measure from the merchant's, tradesman's, or solicitor's clerk, it is intended to treat of them separately - First, government clerks and clerks in the office of public companies.

The majority of young men entering situations in Government offices, or the office of a public company, are of respectable family. They have probably obtained their situations through interest, and are possibly residing in comfort, and perhaps affluence, under their fathers' roofs, considering themselves fortunate in obtaining a good appointment so early in life; and, if present circumstances only be regarded, a youth of sixteen or seventeen may indeed be deemed fortunate who, having his board and lodging provided him free of expense, obtains a salary of £70 or £80 per annum (and

in some cases the commencing salaries are higher), of which salary he is probably allowed the sole control. But whether this good fortune will prove ultimately to his advantage depends entirely on the use he makes of the opportunities afforded him. His hours of business, ten to four or five, leave much time for recreation; his salary enables him to dress in the fashion, to enjoy many an agreeable evening in the ball-room, at the theatre, opera, or other places of public amusement, and thus he appears to possess considerable advantages-for, had he been designed for one of the professions, instead of earning a salary at so early an age, a large premium must have been paid for his initiation into such profession, and therefore he might not have obtained from his parents so large an allowance for his dress, pocketmoney, &c. Again, he would have been expected to study closely, and, therefore, not have possessed so much spare time. Let us, however, follow the young clerk in his career for a few years. He considers himself a fortunate fellow-he is so called by many of his companions and by his relatives-he gladly avails himself of opportunities of

present enjoyment, without pausing to inquire whether he may not be purchasing the amusements he now delights in at the expense of his future comfort and welfare, or whether it is probable he will always have reason to congratulate himself on his position in society. It would, perhaps, be useless to tell him that, by any systematic course, now it is in his power to improve his future condition. Should any officious friend or relative force such reflections upon him, his conscience and fears are easily quieted by some such argument as the following:- Interest procured his appointment, and will, he doubts not, obtain him a higher post at some future time when he may require it. While at his official duties he may be tolerably industrious; he copies letters, enters accounts, and does whatever his principal requires of him with accuracy and in a reasonable time; he has no fault found with him, and, therefore, he deems himself a good clerk. He would, perhaps, be highly offended if he were told that he resembled a mere machine-yet what is the fact? Does he exercise his judgment properly? does he ever reflect on the nature of the business a knowledge of which he

has the opportunity of acquiring? does he endeavour to obtain information from his seniors, and store it in his mind? does he ever employ his leisure hours (many of which often fall to the lot of junior clerks, if they are expert at their duties) in making himself acquainted with the duties of those whose situations he may at some future time have the opportunity of filling? does he strive to ascertain whether in any way he can promote the interests of his employers by a little extra exertion, thereby inducing them to reward his exertions? or does he confine himself to the strict letter of his duty? and should he have a spare half hour during which he notices some matter of business in which he might employ himself to the advantage of the concern in which he is engaged, does he rest satisfied in the conviction that it does not come within the limits of his prescribed duties.

It is much to be regretted, but it is nevertheless the fact, that in nine cases out of every ten the latter is the course adopted. The young clerk walks to his desk at the appointed hour, mechanically performs the duties of the day, anxiously

looking forward to the hour of his release from the toils of business. His fingers may or may not have been in rapid motion over the books or papers before him, but how has his mind been occupied? Most probably by pleasant reflections on the occurrences of the previous evening-the dance, the theatre, or the concert. Thus week after week, month after month, and year after year roll over his head, while he is thus unconsciously fixing his habits and character, both of which must necessarily have an effect upon his future position, and, most probably, a much greater effect than he has any idea of, until too late to retrace his steps. If he has done all that his principal absolutely requires of him, no fault is found with him; but that principal has, probably, narrowly watched his movements and habits, and has formed a silent opinion of his merits, and the time will arrive when such opinion will be either useful to him or otherwise. With regard to his expenditure also, he has contracted habits that will either prove highly beneficial or prejudicial to his future comfort. The salary he received during the first few years of his career is much greater in