Speed in Type-Composition.

Mr W. C. Barnes, of New York, to judge from the figures quoted in the preceding article, should be able to give some valuable hints as to the acquirement of a swift style of composition. He makes no secret of his method, and publishes, in the Inland Printer, the following instructions, which appear to us to be thoroughly sound. His whole principle is to establish an automatic and perfectly regular rhythmic movement of the hand to and from the case. The importance of this habit must be evident to every one who considers how when a type is missed, three or four irregular and ineffectual movements are often made to seize it, breaking the continuity of the work and causing repeated and unnecessary reference to copy. Mr Barnes says:

« The following instructions, if persisted in, will certainiy increase your speed, perhaps not to 2000 ems per hour, for your physical condition may not admit of it—but certainly from 200 to 500 ems per hour. I developed from 1200 per hour maximum to 2160 maximum, per hour. Here is the secret, if secret it be: Drop your own motion, whatever it is, and set at a much slower rate of speed than your hand is accustomed to. When you go to a box for a type and fail to get it, come to the stick and pretend to make a deposit, then return to the case after the letter, or some other letter in the same box, and keep this up until you get a type on the pick. In like manner, if you pick up two types, describe the full motion by coming to the stick and making a pretence of dumping a type, then return to the case, lay one down if you can readily, if not drop them both and come again to the stick and return for the type. There is an apparent loss of time in doing this, but the loss is only apparent, not real, and you will be surprised to find that with the slow motion you will accumulate more thousands than with your hitherto quicker motion.

« This is the whole secret, and the philosophy of it is this: When you have the word 'the,' for instance, to set up, your brain sends a despatch to your hand to go to the t, the h, and the e boxes in turn for a letter. The motion described is an educating motion. It teaches your hand to move mechanically, without assistance from the brain, and allows your brain to be employed on some other portion of the work—as reading your copy. It is not expected that you will always have to return to the case for a type. Soon you will not miss many letters, and if you keep practising this educating motion, you will in a short time be able to set three or four lines without missing a letter.

« Do not stand stiffly. Let your body move a little from side to side. Follow your right hand with your stick from side to side of the case, but not above the centre of the h box, for if you do you will tire muscles not intended for use in setting type. The eye should be in advance of the hand as much as possible—that is, when your eye has located a type and your hand has started for it, look at a type in the next box to be visited. This is only acquired after persistent practice, and is the foundation of the remark, 'The secret of fast type-setting lies in the eye.' When nearing the end of a line, size up how much more will come into the line, and if a couple of extra spaces will be needed, put them in as you go along.

« Don't sit down much. If you are in proper condition to work you should be able to stand up the whole of a first half of a day's work. Don't put one foot up on the cross-bar of the frame, then the other. Don't 'bob.' Don't click your type on the centre-piece of the case or on your rule. Don't fumble around in a box for a type. Don't work the type up and down in your stick with your left thumb. Don't wander about the case with a type after you've got it; bring it right to your stick and deposit it.

« Don't do any of these foolish and profitless things; get a type on the pick as nearly as you can, apply yourself industriously to following the rules given in the above, and do not expect to increase your speed in a week. Be patient and persevering, and there is no doubt but you will develop a rapidity and accuracy of motion that will amply repay you for your time, and give a satisfaction that is represented by dollars and cents. »