Some of these were most tempting.
"A junior partner wanted in an old-established firm whose profits are L10,000 a year.

Must bring L15,000 capital into the concern." There! If I only had L15,000, my fortune would be made at once! "Wanted a companion for a nobleman's son about to travel abroad." There again, why shouldn't I try for that?
What could a nobleman's son require more in a companion than was to be found in me?
And so I travelled on, beginning at the top of the ladder and sliding gently down, gradually losing not only the hope of finding a situation to suit me, but also relinquishing my previous strong faith in my own wonderful merits.

I was ready to give it up as a bad job, and go and tell my uncle I must decline all his kind suggestions, when, in an obscure corner of one paper, my eye caught the following: "Junior clerkship.

An intelligent lad, respectable, and quick at figures, wanted in a merchant's office.

Wages 8 shillings a week to commence.