THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, Nov. 3, 1917.

There has come to hand, within the last fortnight, a letter from a Captain with the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.), which is well worth reprinting here, in view of its distinctive difference from the majority of “letters from the Front.”

Here is the letter in question:

“I was looked upon with disfavour by the Commanding Officer (C.O.) of my battalion at home as being a sleepy, forgetful, and unsoldierlike sub.  When I began your Course my star began to rise—I had the ability but had not been able to use it.  I left the the home battalion with my C.O.’s recommendation as being the best officer he had had for more than a year, and come to France.

“I was then appointed as a second-lieutenant to command a company over the heads of four men with two ‘pips,’ and have now three stars and an Military Cross (M.C.).

“That I was able to make use of my abilities so successfully I attribute entirely to the Pelman System.”   signed “(name withheld), Captain.”

As an isolated letter the foregoing might fail to carry much weight.  But when it is taken as typical of some hundreds of similar letters from Army and Navy officers, then, indeed, one is forced to concede that there must be “something in Pelmanism.”

Nearly forty Generals and Admirals and well over 300 naval and regimental commanders—to say nothing of 3000 other officers and a multitude of Non-commissioned Officers (N.C.O.s) and men—have adopted Pelmanism since the outbreak of war (WW I), and every day brings reports from them as to substantial benefits arrived.

Let us take a few examples.  A Naval Captain reports promotion to the command of a fine cruiser—thanks to his Pelman training.  A Lieutenant-Colonel reports “a step in rank” within two months of starting the Course.  A Major writes attributing his majority and his Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) to the same agency.  A General and a Rear-Admiral also write giving testimony.  There is not a rank or unit of either service which has not supplied convincing evidence of the fact that Pelmanism is truly the short road to progress.

Many officers find that, in addition to assisting them to greater military efficiency, the Pelman Course serves other desirable ends.  For example:

“The Course has prevented me becoming slack and stagnating during my Army life—this is a most virulent danger, I may add.  It inculcates a clean, thorough, courageous method of playing the game of Life—admirably suited tot he English temperament, and should prove moral salvation many a business man.  “Success,” too, would follow—but I consider this as secondary.”

Such letters render comment superfluous.

The evidence forces one irresistibly to the conclusion that, as “TRUTH” says, “The Pelman Institute places the means of progress within the reach of everyone.”

An Amazing Fact

The amazing fact is that, however, sweeping this statement may appear, it is literally true!  There is no case upon record in which the conscientious student of “Pelmanism” has failed to reach the coveted goal—whether that goal be promotion, financial betterment, social or professional advancement, or aught (anything) else.

“Pelmanism” in the Services

The extent to which “Pelmanism” has been adopted by both Services is wonderful.  At the present time there are no fewer than 7000 officers and men following the Pelman Course, including:

• 34 Generals
• 5 Admirals
• 81 Naval Captains and Commanders
• 144 Colonels
• Over 3000 other Officers

From these voluntary reports are received daily, recording promotion and other benefits due to “Pelmanism.”  Thus, in every direction—financial, professional, social, and educational—the Pelman System is daily helping thousands of men and women of every trade, profession, and occupation to attain success.

And what is the cost? A half-hour or so devoted each evening for a few weeks to a most fascinating course of study; not study in the humdrum sense of the word, but a real mental recreation.

From the very first lesson difficulties begin to vanish; problems become easier of solution; worries are dissipated.  It is no magic formula which accomplishes this; the secret is a perfectly open one—the natural development and thorough organisation of the mental faculties, leading to a tremendous stimulation of energy and confidence in oneself.

From business and professional women eulogistic letters are received by the thousand.  Many of them actually reproach the Pelman Institute for understating the value of the Course.  For instance, a Solicitor writes:

“I used to think that the claims made for ‘Pelmanism’ must be fantastic; now I consider them to be under-statements of the truth.”

It is useful to bear in mind this comment (typical of many) when one is tempted to think that the announcements made by the Institute are in any degree exaggerated.  As a matter of sober fact, every statement made here or elsewhere can be handsomely justified by a reference to the records of the Institute.

A Student of the Course recently wrote:  “If people only knew, the doors of the Pelman Institute would be literally besieged by eager applicants.”  Even as a purely social and intellectual factor, Pelmanism well repays the few hours required for its study.

Qualities Developed

Following the intensely interesting lessons and exercises, the students of Pelmanism rapidly develop:

• a brilliant memory,
• strong Will Power,
• complete power of Concentration,
• an ability to reason clearly,
• to Converse attractively,
• to Organise and Manage, and
• to conduct their work and social duties with Tact, Courage, Self-Confidence, and Success.

All mental weaknesses and defects are, on the other hand, eliminated, such as:

• Mind-wandering,
• Forgetfulness,
• Weak Will,
• Aimlessness,
• Bashfulness,
• Self-consciousness,
• the “Worry Habit,” etc., etc.

Individual instruction is given through the post, and the student receives the utmost assistance from the expert staff of instructors at the Institute in solving particular personal difficulties and problems.

The end.