ESSAYS 



Examination by the Civil Service Commissioners for an Appointment in 

 the Imperial Service 



We have been favoured by Dr. Charles Mercier with the following, which pur- 

 ports to be a shorthand note of an interview with the Civil Service Commissioners. 

 We are bound to say that the only evidence of its authenticity that Dr. Mercier 

 gives is the internal evidence, but it will be seen that this is quite conclusive. 



Examiner : Mr. Jones, the post at the disposal of the Secretary of State is that 

 of Administrator of a very extensive district, much of which is still unexplored, in 

 tropical Africa. Will you tell the Examiners what qualifications for the post 

 you possess ? 



Candidate : I have some knowledge of geology, sufficient to judge in what 

 formations coal, metallic ores, mineral oil, and other important minerals are likely 

 to be found. I can recognise by their appearance the chief metallic ores, can test 

 them for the metals they may contain, and make a rough assay of the quantity. 

 I know the climate and soil suitable for the cultivation of cereals, maize, hemp 

 cotton, rubber, tea, coffee, camphor, dates, and different kinds of timber. I know 

 something of the breeds of the horse, ox, sheep, pig, goat, and camel, and what 

 breeds are suitable for different purposes and different localities. I am acquainted 

 with the principles of irrigation, and know for what land it is suitable, and for what 

 land it is practicable. In a suitable locality I can show how hundreds of thousands 

 of acres of desert can be converted into a fertile corn-field. I know the causes of 

 most tropical diseases, the precautions to be taken against them, and the mode of 

 treating them ; in fact, I have taken a degree in tropical medicine. I have learnt 

 the language chiefly spoken in this district, and can converse in it fluently. I 

 know the social organisation of the people, their customs, their system of land 

 tenure, their modes of cultivation, and their staple products and industries. I 

 have studied 



Exaininer : That will do, Mr. Jones. To put it briefly, you have gone in for 

 stinks. I may tell you at once that such an account as you have given of yourself 

 would have completely and finally disqualified you for any appointment made by 

 this Office before the war. In the present state of affairs we have to put up with 

 what we can get ; but even now, the Secretary of State is determined that this 

 post shall be given to no one but a highly educated man. What evidence can you 

 give that you have had a liberal education ? 



Candidate (astonished) : Well, really, sir, I 



Examiner : Surely, Mr. Jones, you understand me. I ask you if you have had 

 a liberal education. In other words, can you read Greek ? If you were to receive 

 this appointment it is very unlikely that you would have any spare time ; but the 

 Secretary of State must be assured that if you had any spare time, you would be 

 able to occupy it in reading Plato in the original Greek. If you like to fritter 

 away your time with cultivating cotton or rubber, or breeding camels, or studying 

 tropical diseases, I dare say the Office will not interfere, unless, indeed, your 

 studies are likely to prove useful ; but the consideration that will decide the elec- 



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