Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, August 18, 1894
( A Legend of the Results of the School Board. )
The Committee sat waiting patiently for candidates. Although the papers had been full of advertisements describing the appointments the réclames had had no effect. There were certainly a number of persons in the waiting-room, but the usher had declared that they did not possess the elementary qualifications for the post that the Committee were seeking to fill with a suitable official.
Usher, cried the Chairman at length with some impatience; I am sure you must be wrong. Let us see some of the occupants of the adjoining office.
The usher bowed with a grace that had been acquired by several years study in deportment in the Board School, and replied that he fancied that most of the applicants were too highly educated for the coveted position.
Too highly educated! exclaimed the representative of municipal progress. It is impossible to be too highly educated! You don't know what you're talking about!
Pardon me, Sir, returned the Usher, with another graceful inclination of the head, but would not 'imperfectly acquainted with the subject of your discourse' be more polished? But, with your permission, I will obey you.
And then the official returned to usher in an aged man wearing spectacles. The veteran immediately fell upon his knees and began to implore the Committee to appoint him to the vacant post.
I can assure you, Gentlemen, that, thanks to the School Board, I am a first-rate Latin and Greek scholar. I am intimately acquainted with the Hebrew language, and have the greatest possible respect for the Union Jack. I know all that can be known about mathematics, and can play several musical instruments. I am also an accomplished waltzer; I know the use of the globes, and can play the overture to Zampa on the musical-glasses. I know the works of Shakspeare backwards, and——
Stop, stop! interrupted the Chairman. You may do all this, and more; but have you any knowledge of the modus operandi of the labour required of you?
Various
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VOL. 107.
August 18, 1894.
MORE ORNAMENTAL THAN USEFUL.
RETURNED EMPTY.
RE-DRESS REQUIRED.
Scott on the New Woman.
"THE COW WAS THE STAMP TO IMPRESS SUPERIOR BUTTER."
HINT FOR THE ALPINE SEASON.
LINES IN PLEASANT PLACES.
The Cry of the (Literary) Croakers.
MEM. BY AN OVERWORKED ONE.
"TO BE WELL SHAKEN BEFORE TAKEN!"
"JUSTICE AS SHE IS SPOKEN IN FRANCE."
NOBLESSE OBLIGE.
LYRE AND LANCET.
TO MY BEEF TEA.
"CLUBS! CLUBS!"
"TO BE TAKEN AS READ."
SUPPRESSIO VERI.
YE GENTLEMEN OF HOLLAND.
PUTTING HIS FOOT IN IT;
"PUTTING HIS FOOT IN IT."
STROLL IN THE ZOO. SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
THE MESSAGE FROM MARS.
ODE TO IXION.
CONJUGAL EGOTISM.
The Plaint of the Unwilling Peer.
WHERE TO GO.
THE INCONVENIENCED TRAVELLER'S PHRASE-BOOK.
AIRS RESUMPTIVE.
THE OBSTINACY OF THE PARENT.
Ditto to Mr. Courtney.
THE FLY ROUTE TO CASTLES IN THE AIR.
TO A VETERAN CHAMPION.
ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
THE NEW NEWNESS.
Transcriber's Note: