The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-26
The One Who Is Successful at 1t Must
Have Manifold Accomplishments.

Boston Literary World.
A recent issue of a Boston daily paper
contains the following advertisement:
ANY lady of fair education can learn to
read proof under personal instruction of one
of the worlds foremost proof readers; gen
teel occupation, easily learned. pays $l5 to
$50 weekly. First class ever formed in
Boston now being organized; membership
limited; immediate application necessary
to enter class. Terms very reasonable"
We heartily favor the proposition that
every woman should be the mistress of
remunerative occupation, by which she can
contribute something to the industry and
movement of the world, as well as to her
cerely sympathize with the efforts of women
to extend this field OF useful and honorable
employment and to gain access to new
vocations. Proof reading is certainly one OF
those vocations But no mistake could be
greater than to think of proof reading as
Something that ANY lady can learn;
worthy of being called a profession. 1t is
capable of being made fine art. The true
PROOF Teaaer Is me tbi 01 'a a5onp his
work when it is well done there is sense
in which II does not show; we remember
the proofreader only when he is careless or
good work; it is often the not doing or the
misdoing, rather than the doing, that en-
forces attention. .
The mere mechanics of proof reading any
body can learn who can master the differ
ences OF letters and fonts, who has quick
and accurate eye, and VINO can oiuer types
and leads and spaces and punctuation marks
out of disorder and set each in its proper
place and relation.
But the mechanics Of proof reading are
simply its primary elements. To be able 10
spell and write the English language cor
rectly to know something in these days OF
other languages at least the modern, TO
have some general knowledge of history ana
biography, to have memory for names ana
dates TO be able to catch an author when he
slips and check him when he goes aStray 10
remove the stains and smooth out the
creases which sometimes disfgure the best
of writing, to be able to suggest the last
touch of polish for the page in type before
it goes to become the page in print-all this
belongs TO the work OF the true ana truly
efficient proof reader, and demands a combi-
nation of qualities which it is rare indeed
to find In one person. The first principles
of proof reading any lady can learn; but
TO be a proof reader in the large and distln-
guished sense is the growth of years OF eX-
perience, and may call into exercise almost
as wide resources of scholarship and almost
as great versatility of talent as authorship
woman of brains and gifts might well aspire.
Proof readers like the late William Nichols,
OF Cambridge and like Mr.. A. w. Stevens,
of Lexington eXemplify what we mean.
Many an author of fame owes more TO the
paiustaking and ceaseless fidelity of his
proof reader than he would himself, perhaps.
be willing to acknowledge: and the feat OF
riding several mental horses at once is by
no means the least Of the many forms or
adept.
All success then to learners OF the an
cient and honorable art of proof reading. but
let them not make the mistake of suppOs-
ing that proficiency in 1t is TO be won in
day.