404 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



type ; and we protest against the assigning of Government po- 

 sitions by competition — a system which sets an evil example 

 throughout the country and which does not insure the choice of 

 the most fit. That the Government should require a high class of 

 knowledge and attainment from those seeking for its appoint- 

 ments is reasonable ; but the difficulties which attend the selection 

 of candidates should not be allowed to bring upon us in wholesale 

 fashion (though indirectly) the great evils which result from com- 

 petitive examinations. It is urged — and the whole matter deserves 

 serious consideration — that it would be better that some system 

 should be sought out under which, for example, those who wished 

 to enter the civil service, and who reached a certain standard of 

 excellence required by the commissioners, should be practically 

 tested in such way and for such period as could be conveniently 

 arranged ; that the most fitting should then be selected on public 

 grounds by the permanent heads of departments. It is urged that 

 some such a course — and others are to be suggested — should be 

 preferred to the excessive and hurtful stimulus of special training 

 for the one purpose of defeating in a great educational contest 

 other candidates, also specially trained for the same purpose, and 

 to the consequent encouragement of competitive examination 

 throughout the whole country by the force of Government exam- 

 ple. Here also we desire to express no opinion of any kind upon 

 the suggestion given, but simply to point out how important it is 

 that those who are most qualified should turn their attention to 

 this subject with the view of discovering the best way of avoiding 

 both the evils that belonged to the past and those that belong to 

 the present. 



We have only to add that what we have said as regards the 

 education of young men and boys necessarily applies with in- 

 creased force to young women and girls. It is deeply to be regret- 

 ted that their education is becoming simply a stale repetition of 

 the mistakes made in the case of men. In their instance it is to be 

 expected that the injuries to health and bodily vigor will be even 

 greater ; while the delicate perceptive powers, which they possess 

 in larger measure than men, are likely to sufi'er irreparable injury. 

 We can only hope that with the abolition of the class and prize 

 system there will grow up a much more delicate appreciation than 

 exists at present of the subtle influences, both for good and for 

 evil, of education ; and that the easy credulity with which this 

 generation has placed " book learning " before a careful training 

 of the senses and higher faculties may slowly give way to truer 

 views. 



We ought to add that we sign this paper in general agreement 

 with the principles expressed in it, and not as individually express- 

 ing entire adhesion to all details. — Nineteenth Century. 



