But, I ought not to blame them; for, I am a coach myself, or, rather, was one, once, when I had the time to read with pupils for the university.

These competitive examinations are a mistake, I think,"-- he continued,--"for the men who pass them the most brilliantly seldom make the best clerks, which one would imagine to be the result mainly desired.

I would prefer, myself, the present middle- class examinations at Oxford--which they lately instituted, for discovering talent and merit--to all these hot-house tests; although, of course, I may be biassed against them, through the recollection of my old don days, when I was at college.
"Not but what the idea of throwing open all appointments in the public service is better than the former custom of close patronage.

The system is only abused, that's all, in consequence of the Competition-Wallah business being carried to excess.

Your poor man, whom the change was especially supposed to benefit, has no chance now, unless he has the money to pay for the services of a crammer--be his attainments never so great.