All candidates are admitted, as before, by the nomination of the Admiralty.
All are liable, at the expiration of their training, to be placed on the strength as sub-lieutenants, Engineer sub-lieutenants, or subalterns of Marines, as may be required; but the wishes of each officer will be consulted as far as is compatible with the needs of the Service.
In giving nominations, preference will be given, other things being equal, to those applicants whose parents or guardians declare for them that they are prepared to enter any of the three branches.
In the first circular issued, a competitive examination of a stiff character was provided for; by a subsequent amendment, however, this has been replaced by a qualifying examination, not of a very formidable nature. So it is to be hoped that the anomaly of bestowing a number of nominations, two-thirds of which cannot possibly come to anything, is to be finally relegated to the past.
Examinations will be held three times each year, preceded by a medical examination, the subjects being as follow:—
Part I.
1. English (including writing from dictation, simple composition, and reproduction of the gist of a short passage twice read aloud to the candidates).
2. History and geography:
(a) History (simple questions in English history and growth of the British Empire).
(b) Geography (simple questions with special reference to the British Empire).
3. French or German (importance will be attached to the oral examination).
4. Arithmetic and algebra:
(a) Arithmetic (elementary, including vulgar and decimal fractions).
(b) Algebra (to simple equations with easy problems).
5. Geometry (to include the subject matter of the first book of Euclid, or its equivalent in experimental geometry and mensuration).
The use of instruments and of algebraical methods will be allowed.
Part II.
(One only to be taken.)
6. Latin (easy passages for translation from Latin into English, and from English into Latin, and simple grammatical questions).
7. A second modern language (of which, if not French or German, notice must be previously given), or an advanced examination in the language selected under Part I.
8. Experimental science (easy questions with the object of testing practical knowledge and powers of observation).
(a) History (simple questions in English history and growth of the British Empire).
(b) Geography (simple questions with special reference to the British Empire).
(a) Arithmetic (elementary, including vulgar and decimal fractions).
(b) Algebra (to simple equations with easy problems).
On passing this examination candidates will be sent to the training establishments for four years.
Instruction will comprise an extension of the present Britannia course, and a thorough elementary instruction in physics, marine engineering, etc., including the use of tools and machines. Instruction will also be carried out in small vessels attached to the establishment.