permission to do so, and unless you are sure that the character given you will be a favourable one.

In the case of a youth applying for his first situation there will, of course, be no past service to refer to; but there ought always to be included a few lines of recommendation from either his schoolmaster or clergyman, giving a certificate as to character and conduct.

The originals of testimonials or certificates ought never to be sent along with the letter applying for a situation, only copies of them in full, and without any verbal alteration whatever. It is most important to remember this. Copies of testimonials should be on a separate sheet of paper from the letter of application, and be duly arranged according to their dates. The originals must be retained for future use or for reference. The copies ought to be distinctly headed with the word "Copy," and before the signatures there should be placed the word "(signed)." This caution in regard to retaining originals is absolutely necessary, for it cannot be assumed that they will be returned. This prevents the necessity of fresh applications to those who have granted them, which are in various respects objectionable, besides entailing needless trouble.

As a general rule, the shorter the application the better, and the more likely to be successful. A beginner will not have many acquirements to detail, and the fact of his respectability, as vouched in his testimonials, and of his education as evidenced in the composition and handwriting of the application, are, as a rule, the only essential points leading up to a possible interview.

Should an advertisement be required to be answered in person, original testimonials may be taken, together with copies, and the applicant may, if thought desirable, be accompanied by parent, guardian, or any other person whose presence may favourably influence the decision of the employer.

A third way is to advertise for a situation, stating age, experience, qualifications, &c., and the nature of the position desired. In this case the form of the advertisement should be drawn out by a person who understands such matters. It is important to choose a good advertising medium. The Times, though expensive, is nearly always,

in this sense, remunerative, and the same applies to the other leading morning daily papers, or to the best dailies of the large provincial towns. Remember, that it is not economical to select a journal which has low advertising rates; usually such a paper has a limited circulation. The trade and technical journals are excellent mediums, especially for craftsmen. Consult "May's British and Irish Press Guide" (F. S. May & Co., 159, Piccadilly, price is.), which gives a "classified dictionary of representative organs, showing each interest, science, profession, trade, &c., represented in the press." Replies to such advertisements may in most cases be directed to the office of the newspaper itself, and the name of the advertiser need not be given, which is often a certain advantage. It may be added, that it is not very usual for inexperienced youths to advertise their own requirements, and to do so on a scale likely to secure the object in view would be exceedingly expensive.

Large and Small Firms.-For acquiring general experience, the larger establishments, that is, those employing the largest number of hands,-are often preferable, as affording the widest scope to the abilities of the beginner; but there is a disadvantage connected with the system adopted in many of them. Owing to the division of labour, a youth may be employed for a considerable time, if not for the whole period of his novitiate or apprenticeship, in one very minor and mechanical round of duties, and obtain no insight into the general routine of the business. In a smaller establishment there is sometimes a better opportunity for learning the whole machinery of commercial operations.

Wages. In regard to wages, there is such a diversity of practice among various firms that little definite information can be given on this head. Almost everything depends upon the terms on which young lads are taken as beginners. In some houses, notably in the great manufacturing establishments of the North of England, a system of indenturing apprentices still exists in the counting-houses, and a youth is "bound" for three, four, five, or seven years, the conditions imposed on both parties to the engagement being distinctly specified in a written instrument. In others, a

premium is required; the youth has to pay a certain sum for the privilege of being admitted into the office of the Sometimes the premium is dispensed with, but no salary or wages are paid for the first year or two, the instruction imparted, and the opportunities allowed for gaining experience, being considered a sufficient equivalent for any services rendered. Some houses, again, pay the youths they employ a small sum annually from the commencement. With others, the remuneration is a small weekly wage, increased year by year afterwards. These points, if not stated in the advertisement, should be clearly understood before service is entered upon. Much will, of course, depend on the circumstances of the friends of the applicant. He may have well-to-do relations, who are prepared to pay a premium for him, or able to maintain him without assistance during his first year or two of employment. It may, however, be of importance for them. to receive even the small sum that falls to the lot of the beginner. He must consider these points, and select a situation which will meet his pecuniary requirements. Let him, however, as a rule, look to the future rather than the present. If some self-denial will enable him to secure a position which may ultimately make him independent of minor economies, he should certainly endure present small privations for the sake of future prospective advantages.

Its

Agreements and Indentures.-Probably it will be thought necessary to have the precise terms of engagement set down in writing, in the form of a letter: this may be made into a legal document by getting it impressed with a sixpenny agreement stamp. An indenture is a much more formal document, and requires to be attested by witnesses. construction and interpretation, being strictly legal matters, should be referred to duly qualified persons. The custom of indenturing mercantile apprentices has practically disappeared. In any case, we counsel, in the interest of employer and employed, "a month's trial," as it is commonly termed, during which period both parties have an opportunity of knowing something of each other, &c.

CHAPTER V.

MORAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EMPLOYÉ.

E will suppose that the search for a situation has been successful, and that on a certain day the youth will have to enter upon the employment which is, probably, to afford him his future livelihood. If he has any time now on his hands, let him use it to the best purpose, not only in reviewing his scholastic attainments and deficiencies, but, what is even still more important, in serious reflection on the responsibilities and the duties which will presently devolve upon him. Let him take to heart the injunctions of his parents, or guardians, or others interested in his welfare, and then read with attention the following remarks. They are founded on some experience of the dangers to which young people are subjected; the mistakes into which they are too frequently led; and the habits into which they too easily relapse.

The youth who possesses the inestimable advantage of a "fair start" in life should consider that it is one of the most unmistakable of his obvious duties to make the most of that start. Let him set himself resolutely to profit from all his advantages, and continually endeavour to utilise every opportunity within his reach. When a vocation has been decided upon, there should be the fullest determination to learn and practise not only its main principles but its smallest details, and to bring all outside knowledge to bear upon it. The previously-learned lessons of good conduct, manners, general behaviour, order, punctuality, and the rest, will be found of the utmost value when commencing the duties of any calling, and a strict resolution at the outset should be formed under any circumstances not to depart from them. Before proceeding to point out some of the branches of knowledge that will facilitate his progress

in business life and some of the rules of conduct which will tend to insure for him, first, a clear conscience, and, secondly, the respect and esteem of his fellow-men, we would ask our youthful reader to pause and consider with us, at the threshold of his career, the nature of the responsibilities which lie before him.

Power of the Will.-Every being born into this world, and endowed with intelligence, bears responsibilities of a threefold character. For, whatever degree of mental ability and of bodily strength he possesses, there are responsibilities devolving upon him, as regards his Maker, society, and himself. He has a knowledge of what is right and what is wrong; and he has a will, which is presumably under his own control. If he wills to do what is wrong, to disregard the laws of religion and of morality, what can prevent him from going astray? Human laws may, to a certain extent, restrain the commission of overt offences against person or property; penal provisions may reduce. opportunities for transgressing the laws of the country; but they can be only efficacious to a certain extent. It is an awe-inspiring fact, that a young man has it within his own power to blight his prospects, to waste his opportunities, to become a nuisance and a pest to the country, to hew out for himself a life of misery, leading to a death of despair,all by the exercise of his will,-his power to choose evil rather than good. On the other hand, if he so wills, he may, without becoming rich, or distinguished, or "successful," as it is called,—which results are only vouchsafed to a certain percentage of mankind,—lead a happy, useful, and honourable life.

We exclude from this little work considerations which are entirely bound up in the ordinary precepts of Religion and Morals. There are better books on such subjects than we can aspire to write. We confine ourselves to Business, and the ethics only that concern it. Yet we implore young men to try to realise their position at the outset of their career, and to bring themselves to appreciate the responsibilities devolving upon them.

Every condition in life, even the lowest, has its own peculiar responsibilities. However mean a position it is that may be occupied, these responsibilities cannot be