CHAPTER VII.

ENGLISH COMPOSITION.

ENGLISH COMPOSITION is tested by requiring the candidates to write an essay on some given subject. In order to ensure that none be taken at a disadvantage, two or three subjects are usually proposed, any one of which you may choose; or, if there is only one, it is commonly of such a nature as to allow much room for selection.

The time allowed for an exercise in composition. is commonly two hours- never less. "In all such exercises the candidates are warned that, attention should be paid to Handwriting, Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar, and Style; and that the composition should fill not less than two folio pages." (14th Report, page 207.)

Of all the subjects this is perhaps the most difficult to prepare without assistance. I fear this may be attributed in a great degree to the fact, that it is almost completely neglected in the general run of elementary schools, both public and private; from which the children usually come forth in a state of blank ignorance of the commonest principles of composition.

Punctuation is a matter allowing a good deal of variety of treatment: two persons may differ considerably in their manner of placing the stops,

and yet neither be wrong. It is best learned by ear after some experience and attention. Do not attempt to master or apply the rules for punctuation; they will only worry and puzzle you without any compensating advantage.

Perhaps for those who are very deficient, the best plan is to write a series of passages read by another person out of some book- any ordinary school book will answer quite well. When you have finished writing on each particular occasion, go over it all, and put in the stops according to your own judgment; then compare your transcript with the original, and you will find where you have erred. A reasonable amount of practice in this way will enable you to punctuate with sufficient correctness. Of course any boy who can read at all will answer to read for you; and the exercise in punctuation may also be utilised as an exercise in spelling, so as to economize time.

Should you find, after a few trials, that your punctuation is sufficiently correct, of course you need not subject yourself to any further special practice; but even so, in all that you write on any subject whatever, you should never neglect to punctuate carefully.

You should write an essay on some subject about once a week during your preparation: in every case let it be as long as the Civil Service Commissioners require, i.e. at least two pages of foolscap; and you should always finish within an hour and a half or two hours. You will find yourself rapidly improve by practice, which will also give you readiness and confidence.

The subjects proposed by the examiners are very various; but if any remarkable event has just

occurred, or is occurring, it is pretty sure to be given. If an examination were now taking place, it is very probable that the candidates would be asked to write on some subject directly or indirectly connected with the Franco-Prussian war.

The following list of subjects which have been given from time to time, will give some idea of what you may expect:-Athletic Sports; Common Sense; The Life or Writings of any statesman; The Nile or the Ganges, or the Rhine and its associations; Discipline; Wit; Salt; Quebec (given in November, 1866, just after the great fire in that town); Australia; Italy; Prince of Wales's visit to Egypt (given while the Prince was in Egypt); the Prince of Wales's visit to Canada; Oxford boat race (given immediately after the contest of 1869); Health; Jamaica; Trial by jury.

It may be fairly hoped that you will have some knowledge of at least one of the subjects proposed at the examination; and if you have, your task will be comparatively easy. But there is a possibility that you may happen to know little or nothing of the subject you have to write upon, and yet you will have to fill two pages of foolscap, if you would avoid being disqualified. In order to provide for this contingency, you should occasionally write an essay on some subject of which you have only a very slight knowledge; and try to fill up the required space, even though what you write be only remotely connected with the subject.

There is no reason to believe that the Civil Service Commissioners expect great and solid excellence; they propose a subject, not to test your knowledge of it, but to ascertain whether you can

write correct and sensible English; and if you show a fair command of language, and express what you have to say clearly and correctly, you will no doubt receive a favourable judgment. The habit of speaking or writing on a subject that one knows little about, is radically bad, though common enough in the world; in the present case it is necessary to practise it for a little time; but the sooner you drop it after you have won your place the better.

I have said that English composition is difficult to make up without assistance. If you have a teacher, he will of course point out the faults in your essays. If you have not, you should by all means get some person to read each essay for you, and find all the faults he can. The more skilful he is of course the better; but, even though he be no better than yourself, he will be very likely to perceive flaws overlooked by you.

Above all things, avoid every attempt at high flown, flowery, or magniloquent language. Composition of this kind has usually great attraction for young people of small experience; but your examiner will be sure to come down on you for any approach to it. Simple, quiet, plain language, and to the point, is what is most valued, and very justly; for in all official documents, such as the candidates may, as future civil servants, have to write-in all documents whatsoever indeed, whether official or not-brevity, simplicity, and clearness, are the most precious qualities.

I remember well the astonishment of a certain candidate at the very low marks he received for his essay on the northern regions: for composition was one of his best subjects, and he considered he

had quite exceeded himself in felicity of description on the present occasion. He spoke of the aurora borealis as "Illuminating the starry heavens with its brilliant and ever varying coruscations, and casting a mellow light on the snowy surface of the earth:"-" Innumerable icebergs sailed majestically over the sea, whose summits pierced the clouds, and whose roots were buried in the profound depths of ocean:"-and the subject of his essay was "That region where the icy monster had seized in his iron grasp the crested billows."

By the time he next entered the lists-for he was disqualified on this occasion-he was cured of this boyish bombast: he wrote an essay in a plain, homely, unpretentious style, for which he got 135 marks out of 150; and he won the place which he now holds.

An excellent plan to acquire a style is this. Select first some writer whose style you wish to imitate. Among the most suitable are Addison, Steele, Swift, Goldsmith, Washington Irving, Franklin, Charles Lamb, &c., &c. Avoid Dr. Johnson, who is too pompous and grandiose for official sobriety. Lord Macaulay's style is very attractive, but dangerous for imitation, except in the hands of a writer of some experience. If a beginner attempt to acquire it, he is sure to be tempted into ambitious efforts after fine sentences, which almost invariably leads to bombast.

When you have selected the author, read a little of his writings every day-a couple of pages will be enough; but always read it aloud. You should take special care to do this immediately before you sit down to write an essay; and on such occasions you might read a little more than usual.