=Clerkships.=--Of the posts just enumerated the clerkships are the most important and best paid, and are filled by a superior class of women. During some years they were obtained by nomination, and the women chosen generally came from the cultured classes; but now all appointments are thrown open to competition, and anyone within the limits of age (18 to 20) who can pass the not very severe entrance examination is eligible for a vacancy. There is considerable demand for these posts, and it is considered a very small competition if there are only two qualified candidates for every vacancy. The hours of attendance in the office are in most cases seven daily, and a month’s holiday is allowed. Salaries commence at £65 a year, rising by an annual increase of £3 to £80 in the lowest class. There are possibilities however of much higher salaries, as the accompanying table (drawn from the _Civil Service Competitor_) of numbers and salaries of the female staff at the General Post-office, London, shows-- 1 Superintendent £250 by £15 to £400 2 ” 215 ” 15 ” 400 3 Assistant Superintendents 200 ” 10 ” 240 2 ” 200 ” ” 18 Principal Clerks 140 ” 10 ” 190 11 ” 120 ” 10 ” 170 50 First class Clerks 105 ” 5 ” 130 51 ” 85 ” 5 ” 110 324 Second class Clerks 65 ” 3 ” 100 295 ” 65 ” 3 ” 80 =General Conditions.=--Work in the General Post Office is carried on under pleasant conditions. The premises are good, and all reasonable arrangements are made for the comfort of the clerks. Strict privacy is enforced; the clerks never come in contact with the public; and, the routine of the business once mastered, there is a regularity and freedom from worry about Post-office work, which to certain natures is probably attractive. A girl of fair education, but without the special knowledge or aptitude necessary for the teaching profession, may profitably turn her attention to Post-office work, in which the defect of monotony is counterbalanced by regularity of employment and the prospect of a pension in later life. Candidates must be unmarried or widows, and must be duly qualified in respect of character and health. They must further pass an examination in handwriting, spelling, arithmetic, English composition, geography, and English history. A periodical entitled the _Civil Service Competitor_ gives details as to the changes which take place in the regulations from time to time.