74 Book of Engineering 



elsewhere. There is a medical examination 

 to pass, besides the training, and a Civil 

 Service certificate must be obtained before 

 a new-comer can be appointed to an estab- 

 lished position. The examination is not 

 very difficult, and any girl who has reached 

 the highest standard in an elementary school 

 should have no difficulty in getting through. 



The training in the school is very interest- 

 ing, the telephone ear and the telephone 

 voice receiving special attention. The voice 

 must be distinct, low, and penetrating. 

 The " r's " must be rolled, and there are 

 certain figures which must be pronounced 

 in a way entirely different from that usually 

 used. This is very necessary, or the wrong 

 caller would constantly be summoned. 



The low speech of the telephonist is at 

 once noticeable on visiting an exchange; 

 instead of a babel of voices one hears just 

 a subdued murmur, far different from that 

 of the irate gentleman who brings down the 

 house when he speaks telephonically. It is, 

 of course, very necessary that the telephonist 

 should hear a low voice, besides possessing 



