A WORD ABOUT JOURNALISM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2417, 7 January 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

A WORD ABOUT JOURNALISM.

Journalism is distinct from authorship pure and simple. The journalist deals with the question of the day ; his knowledge must be on the tip of his tongue or rather at the point of his pen—ready for use at any moment. The author, on the other hand, can sit at home, write leisurely, revise frequently, and consult books of reference to verify his statement. In telling the aspirant that he must learn short-hand wo are reminded of DavidCopperfield and what he says about the diffeulty of learning the art; and of how, in the little room in Buckingham street he took down in shorthand the speeches of the great men as they were read from Enfield's Speaker by good-hearted Tommy Traddles; of the precise but kindly old aunt, "looking like an immovable Chancellor of the Exchequer throwing in the usual interruptions of "No and Oh !" and " Hear ! Hear !" of poor old Mr Dick succeeding often " lustily same cry;" aud of young David after the reader with all his might and main, —and the next day not being able to read a line of the notes he had taken the night before ? A newspaper man ought to know everything,—or at least something about everything. The ablest newspaper men we have had ill our country hxve not been college graduates; and whether a young man is college-bred or not, the best part of his education must be gained in the actual service of hisprofession. He must always read a good deal and he must not read to waste. He must have a good general knowledge of history science, anil art; and witli the social and political progress of his country he must be thoroughly familiar. But in early stages of his career he will fiud that what hn needs most is quickness of apprehension good judgmeiit,and the power to state in writing, brieffy and clearly, what the public wants to know on a given subject. —St. Nicholas.