SIXTEEN TO TWENTY. 63 



One piece of advice contrasts strongly with 

 the description of him given by his cousin. 

 He has found out that eccentricity of appear- 

 ance and manner does not advance a man. 

 Therefore he writes : 



" A good personal manner greatly conduces 

 to the success of the reporter. He should be 

 pleasant and genial, but not loud : inquiring 

 without being inquisitive : bold, but not pre- 

 sumptuous : and above all respectful. The 

 reporter should be able to talk on all subjects 

 with all men. He should dress well, because it 

 obtains him immediate attention : but should 

 be careful to avoid anything ' horsey ' or fast. 

 The more gentlemanly his appearance and 

 tone, the better he will be received." 



The chapter on Editing gives a tolerably 

 complete account of the conduct of a country- 

 town newspaper. The chapter on Authorship 

 is daring, because the writer as yet knew 

 nothing whatever of the subject. Among 

 other mistakes is the very common one of 

 supposing that a young man can help himself 

 on by publishing at his own expense a manu- 



