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a, METHODS OF SOCIAL REFORM.
tbst a high wrangler or a double first would generally be e
weakly bookworm, pmmstamly exbasted by intense Btady,
unable to expand his mind beyond his books, and deficient in
811 the tact and worldly knowledge to be acquired by mixing
in the business of life. But cspcricnce seernv to negative such
idens. The weakly men are weeded out before t,hey gst to the
final struggle, or break down in the course of it. The true
bookworm shows himself to be a bookworm, and does not
fight his way to a high place. Success in a severe examination
requires, as a general rule, a Combination of robust physical
health, good nerve, great general energy, and powers of
ondarcmco and perseverance, added to pure intellectual ability.
There are of course exceptions in all mat.ters of this sort, but,
80 far 8s wc can lay down rules in humnn affalirs, it is the men8
snnn in corpore sam which carries EL candidate to the higher
part of tho list.
A man must not always bo set down as a blockhead
because he cannot statld the examination-room. Some men of
extensive knowledge and much intelligence lose their presence
of mind altogether when they see the dreadful ppcr. They
cannot commnttd their thoughts during the few hours when
their success iu life is at stake. Thc man who trembles at the
sight of the paper is probably defective in the nerve and moral
coumgo so often needed in the business of life. It by no
moans follows, again, that the man of real genius will take a
conspicuous place in the list. His peculiar abilities will often
lie in a narrow line and bo correIated with weakness in other
directions. His powers citu only be rendered patent in the
course of time. It is well known that some of the most
original rnnthetnaticians were not senior wranglers. Public
examinations mnst be looked upon as tests of generfii rather
than special abilities; talent, strength, and soundness of constitution
win tho high place, powers which can be developed in
any direction in after-life.
If evidence were needed to support this view of the matter
it is amply afforded by the recent Parliamentary Report on the
education and training of candidates for the Indian Civil
Service. Whatever may be thought as to the det&b of the