The Three Clerks

ardlines that he must relax the rigour of his examinations, he had pondered deeply over the matter. Hitherto he had confined his efforts to his own office, and, so far from feeling personally anxi

isee, and wore on his forehead a broad phylactery, stamped with the mark of Crown property. He thanked God that

orders. But if he could promote a movement beyond the walls of the Weights and Measures; if he could make Pharisees of those benighted publicans in the Strand; if he could introduce conic sections into the Custom House, and political economy into the Post Office; if, by any effor

sloth and ignorance! Mr. Hardlines meditated deeply on this, and, as he did so, it became observed on all sides that he was an altered man as regarded his solicitude for the Weights and Measures. One or two lads crept in, by no means conspicuous for their attainments in abstract science; young men, too, were observed to l

ritten a book. They were down on Mr. Hardlines with reviews, counter pamphlets, official statements, and indignant contradiction; but Mr. Hardlines lived through this storm of missiles, and got his book to be fêted and made much of by some

ten the day when he was called in question for his zeal. He was felt to be in opposition to his own Board, rather than in co-operation with it. The Secretary and the Assistant-Secretaries would say little caustic things about him to the senior clerks, and seemed somewhat to begrudge him his new honours. But for all this Mr. Hardlines cared little. The President and the Secretary of State, the joint Secretaries and

hief Commissioner of the Board of Civil Service Examination, with a salary of ￡2,000 a year; he was made a K.C.B., and shone forth to the world as Sir Gregory Hardlines; and he

dor had been brought into the office not quite in accordance with Sir Gregory's views. But during his four years of service Alaric had contrived to smooth down any acerbity which had existed on this score; either the paper on the strike-bushel, or his own general

cumstance that it led to an introduction between Tudor and the Honourable

w making inquiry as to the proposed Civil Service examinations, and that in this capacity he was necessarily thrown into communication with Tudor. He was a man who had known much of officialities, had filled many situations, was acquainted with nearly all the secretaries, assistan

mmotion at the Weights and Measures; and when his letter of resignation was absolutely there, visible to the eyes of clerks, properly docketed and duly minuted, routine business was, for a day, nearly suspended. Gentl

chosen by the voice of the Commissioners. There were only three men who were deeply interested in this question. But who would then be the new senior clerk, and how would he be chosen? A strange rumour began to be afloat that the

arful thing for such a one to learn that he has again to go through his school tricks, and fill up examination papers, with all his juniors round him using their stoutest efforts to take his promised bread from out of his mouth. Detur digno is a maxim which will make men do their best to merit rewards; every man can find courage within his heart to be worthy; but detur digniori is a f

s; but then the question arose to them and others whether they were men exactly of those attainments which were now most required. Who is to say what shall constitute the merits of the dignior? It may one day be conic sections, another Gree

for the best man in the office. Here was a brilliant chance for young merit! The place was worth ￡600 a-year, and might be gained by any one who now received no more than ￡100. Each person desirous of comp

rs all but worshipped. Poor Jones was, to tell the truth, in a piteous case. He told the Secretary flatly that he would not compete with a lot of boys fresh from school, and his friends began to think of removing his razors. Nor were Brown and Robinson in much better plight

ad ever known. Those who looked most to dead knowledge were inclined to back him as first favourite. It had, however, been remarked, th

to figures that he knew the number of stairs in every flight he had gone up and down in the metropolis; one who, whatever the subject before him might be, n

Assistant-Secretaries, when they first put their heads together on

superior to Gibbon. He had frequently said to his intimate friends, that in official writing, style was everything; and of his writing it certainly did form a very prominent part. He knew well, none perhaps so well, when to beg leave to lay before the Board-and when simply to submit to the Commissioners. He understood exactly

of the office he was regarded as the great star of the office. There was a dash about him and a quick readiness for any work tha

put himself forward as an adversary to his own especial friend, Norman. That Norman would be a candidate had been pro

ton, and then the subject was mooted by

e examined, are you?' said he; 'what is it to be about

alf so high as that. Boatswain's

to be the su

e was far the first favour

stand yourself?

put my name down just to swell the number, but

distance us all. There is no one who has a cha

it was a matter which they had better leave alone. Not only were the two young men to be pitted against each othe

t. 'I suppose you were only jesting yesterday,' said he, 'when

that I was in jest or i

line to discuss the su

an to stand?' said Harry

ecline to discuss the matte

ng it openly and honestly. My own impress

so?' sa

the first place, there would be seven to one against me; and I m

might keep us all

think no one should stand who does not believe himself to have a fair chance. His doing so might probab

y many how such men as Uppinall and Minusex could think

like mock-modesty,

abilities. I will own that I rank myself as a human creature much higher than I rank them. But they h

said Norman, 'I would strongly

ans the least. You will be a candidate, and probably the successful o

: 'I would advise you to lay aside that objection. I fairl

h I am sure it is not-but s

o right to take

are my senior in the office. But were I to be put over your head, it would in the course of nature make a division between us; and if it were possible th

a consideration weighed with you; I would rather withdraw myself than allow such a feeling to interfere with y

ic. 'To put you out of the question, no promotion cou

, I don't know whether it is not I that shoul

id Alaric, pushing the matter furth

from my office, which, if I marry, I can settle on my wife; you have none such. I should consider myself to be worse than wicked if I allowed any consideration of such a nature to stand in the way of your best interests. Believe me, Alaric,

that he had done his duty by his friend with true disinterested honesty. And Alaric, he also felt a glow of triumph as he reflected that, come what might, there would be now no

o great to allow of his throwing away such a chance. Alaric's