Competition Reintroduced—Reduction of Numbers—A Ferocious Examination—The Britannia in the Times—“Rule of Thumb” Instruction—“Fire” and “Sword”—“Veritas” at Sea—The Britannia Magazine—Editorial Introduction—The Politics of Naval Cadets—Editorial Difficulties—A Questionable Pseudonym—Popular Advertisements—The Wave—A True Prediction—An Original Poem—Jones Takes a Lesson to Heart—The Wave’s Holiday Trip—A Warning to the Reckless—“First Catch Your Cadet!”—Ambulance Lessons—How to Tell a Toadstool—The Electric Light—Another Committee—It Makes Recommendations—Also Suggestions—Very Unpractical—Captains in the ’Eighties—Statistical Results—A Rapid Rise.
THIS period of our story commences with a considerable reduction in the number of entries; and, as was the case in 1870, this reduction coincides with the introduction of competition, but with more rigorous conditions, both with respect to the proportion of nominations to entries and the nature of the examination.
The test examination had already been made more stringent, as stated by Mr. Ward Hunt in the House of Commons, the total number of marks being 1,200, and French a compulsory subject, to the exclusion of geography; indeed, the farce of minimising the importance of the former did not long survive. The number of marks necessary for passing had been augmented, six-tenths, or 720 in the aggregate, being laid down as a minimum, which is a pretty strict test.
However, it being considered necessary, apparently, to reduce the entries, a new circular appeared, in January, 1881, of which the principal conditions were as follow:—
Appointments to naval cadetships to be made by limited competition, except four annually to sons of gentlemen in the Colonies, and five Service nominations, selected by the Admiralty from sons of officers of the Army, Navy, and Royal Marines who have been killed in action, lost at sea, killed on duty, or died within six months of injuries received in action or on duty.
These cadets will be admitted on passing the preliminary examination, as detailed below.
Except in special circumstances, only one-third of those nominated will be entered.
Limits of age on passing, 12 to 13½.
The preliminary examination will be as follows:—
Arithmetic, to proportion and vulgar and decimal fractions 200 Geometry, definitions, etc., and 26 propositions first book of Euclid 200 Algebra, to fractions and simple equations 200 Dictation 100 Reading English intelligently 100 French: reading, translating, etc. (with dictionary) 200 Scripture history 100 1,100 Candidates must obtain four-tenths of full numbers in each subject, and may then select two out of the following subjects:—
Miscellaneous questions in arithmetic, algebra (including quadratic equations) and Euclid, the whole of the first book 300 Latin 300 Geography and English history 300 The Colonial and Service cadets must obtain 600 in the preliminary examination.
| Arithmetic, to proportion and vulgar and decimal fractions | 200 |
| Geometry, definitions, etc., and 26 propositions first book of Euclid | 200 |
| Algebra, to fractions and simple equations | 200 |
| Dictation | 100 |
| Reading English intelligently | 100 |
| French: reading, translating, etc. (with dictionary) | 200 |
| Scripture history | 100 |
| 1,100 |
| Miscellaneous questions in arithmetic, algebra (including quadratic equations) and Euclid, the whole of the first book | 300 |
| Latin | 300 |
| Geography and English history | 300 |
This is not an excessively severe examination, especially as the latter half of the first book of Euclid, and the quadratic equations—at neither of which are boys of this age usually strong—can be discarded; but to deliberately nominate three times as many lads as are to be entered appears inexcusable, not to say cruel.
However, much worse was in store, for in March, 1882, yet another circular was promulgated, in which it was laid down that the examination was to be held by the Civil Service Commissioners; and in May, 1887, the ideas of these gentlemen have apparently been adopted, and an examination of absolutely ferocious severity is prescribed:—