O'BHEA — ASPECTS OF MENTAL ECONOMY. 177 



some reporting six hours of written work a day. But this is ex- 

 treme; the average is about two and one-half hours daily. 

 Ninety-nine reported using fine pointed pens, while sixty-seven 

 used medium pens, and one hundred and eleven used blunt 

 points. It would be interesting to know whether those students 

 who employ fine pens and do much writing are able to prosecute 

 their work without fatigue ; but in lieu of data upon the subject, 

 the opinion may be hazarded that a medium or coarse pointed 

 pen would be the means of conserving energy for the great ma- 

 jority of students, not excepting those who have formed the 

 habit of using a very fine point. To repeat, though, this sub- 

 ject needs more extensive investigation before one may dogma- 

 tize upon it. 



Believing that the matter of writing pens is a most important 

 one for students, I have during the past two years made a test 

 of all the pens I could secure from American manufacturers 

 with a view to ascertaining their energetic effects upon myself 

 and my assistant. While doubtless I have not had opportunity 

 to examine all the good pens made, I yet feel that of those com- 

 monly in use the one of medium point requiring the least waste 

 of energy in needless tensions is the Gillott No. 1065. It has 

 been my experience, however, that the ordinary gold pens are 

 far more satisfactory than those made of steel, since the point 

 moves over the paper more smoothly, requiring less delicate 

 management from the penman. I have been able to examine a 

 number of fountain pens and have found the Waterman Ideal 

 worthy of its name. Nos. 12 to 16, medium points, are well 

 adapted to conserve the energies of the penman, as well as to gain 

 time in writing, and they can not be too highly commended. I 

 have also found the Parker Jointless No. 023 to be a very satis- 

 factory pen from the point of view from which we are here dis- 

 cussing pens. I can write much longer and with less fatigue 

 with these fountain pens than with any steel pen, and those who 

 have assisted me in the experiments have had a similar experi- 

 ence. 



"Scratchy" pens cannot be too severely condemned. Aside 

 from their irritating influence iipon the nervous system, they 

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