entered on a blank that is attached to the manuscript by a clip. On this
blank are left spaces for comments by each of the editorial assistants
who read and pass upon the article.

After these records have been made, the manuscript is given to the first
editorial reader. He can determine by glancing at the first page or two
whether or not the article is worth further consideration. Of the
thousands of contributions of all kinds submitted, a considerable
proportion are not in the least adapted to the periodical to which they
have been sent. The first reader, accordingly, is scarcely more than a
skilled sorter who separates the possible from the impossible. All
manuscripts that are clearly unacceptable are turned over to a clerk to
be returned with a rejection slip.

When an article appears to have merit, the first reader looks over it a
second time and adds a brief comment, which he signs with his initials.
The manuscript is then read and commented on by other editorial readers
before it reaches the assistant editor. The best of the contributions
are submitted to the editor for a final decision. By such a system every
meritorious contribution is considered carefully by several critics
before it is finally accepted or rejected. Moreover, the editor and the
assistant editor have before them the comments of several readers with
which to compare their own impressions.

In newspaper offices manuscripts are usually sorted by the assistant
Sunday editor, or assistant magazine editor, and are finally accepted or
rejected by the Sunday or magazine editor.

REJECTED MANUSCRIPTS. In rejecting contributions, editorial offices
follow various methods. The commonest one is to send the author a