Calendar: 1854-1855 Page 46

11 AN'XUAL REPORT 1854 lines of life For them doubtless as for all who pretend to liberal education due regard during certain number of years to Classics and Mathematics is indispensable and these studies are placed within the reach of all But in many cases an interval occurs between leaving school and entering upon any special calling which is not adequately or specially pro- vided for and the question naturally arose whether it might not be feasible to establish such course of instruction in King's College as without disturbing the existing Depart- ments and without interfering with the pre-eminence of Classical and Mathematical studies or detracting from their acknowledged value might meet the wants above described and bring within the Collegiate influence new class of Stu- dents who might otherwise remain strangers to its system of education These general considerations received definite shape and direction in consequence of paragraph in Her Majesty's speech from the throne on opening the present session of Parliament in which an intention was announced of organizing the Civil Service of Her Majesty's Government More distinct intimations were subsequently given to the effect that civil appointments in the Queen's service would according to the precedent in that of the Hon East India Company be open to competition by examination The candidates for such appointments would represent very accurately the class of young men above alluded to and it was evident after little consideration that an education provided for them would be groundwork for system which with slight modifications would be suitable for all After considerable discussion in Committee appointed to examine the subject plan was gradually matured which seemed to remove all possible objections and to promise great amount of advantage and the Council acting upon the conviction that whatever might be the issue of the Govern- ment scheme of examination an education for such persons was real public desideratum at length felt themselves justi- lied in instituting new Department entitled the Department of Civil Service and Commerce This Department is about to