[To THE EDITOR OE THE "SPECTATOZ."1

Sir,—We forward the accompanying answers to your general knowledge paper published in your issue of December 2nd, as we think they may prove of interest. In this case the class to whom the paper was set consisted of fifteen youths who recently entered the Royal Navy. It seems to us that the general standard of intelligence, as shown by the answers, is considerably higher than that displayed by the French con- scripts alluded to in your first article, and the soldier recruits mentioned in your issue of the 16th inst. We inclose a sum- mary of ages and occupations before joining the Service, which, in all cases (with one exception), was in August this year, and we are inclined to think that the higher standard obtained is due to the shorter interval which has elapsed since our class left school when compared with the longer interval in the case of the recruits. You will notice that an extra question (No. 16. Who was Jack Johnson ?) has been added. The answers to this question are interesting in that they show clearly the comparatively great interest and knowledge of current popular "sport," as opposed to the lack of interest and ignorance of famous men and facts of history. Besides the summary of ages and occupations, we inclose a digest of the most interesting answers.—I am, Sir, Sus.

Two N.O.'s.

Summary of ages and occupations of youths previous to entering the Royal Navy in order of merit: 17, Shop renter ; 17, Training ship 'Exmouth' ; 174-, Outfiter ; 174, Farm servant ; 174, Fitter's mate ; 171, Fitter's labourer ; 174, Errand boy ; 174, Van guard ; 174, Brickmaker ; 174, Upholsterer; 18, Rope worker ; 184, Brash- maker; 18, Farm labourer ; 17i, Blacksmith's mate; 184, Golf caddie.

DIGEST OF ANSWERS.

1. Alfred the Great. (a) The King that burnt the pancakes which is still keep up. (b) He was the first to fight on Sea. (c) A very big King. 2. Nelson. (a) A very great leader in the Navy in time of War, and did many great deeds. (b) A great leader in the Navy. (c) Admiral of the Navy in Wellington's time and fought in the battle of Waterloo. 3. Wellington. (a) A Captain in the French Army. (b) Was in the Military and fought at Waterloo. (c) . . . and lost his life at Waterloo. (d) One entirely ignorant. 4. Shakespeare. (a) A Poet, some of the finest English Prose was written by him. (b) One entirely ignorant.

5. United States. (a) Part of the British Dominions. (b) An American Republic, founded by the Pilgrim Fathers, who sailed in the ' Sunflower.' (c) Is a country owned by different Nations such as France. (d) Three were entirely ignorant.

6. Indian Mutiny. (a) A terrible crime. (b) . . . Lord Clive did great work here. (c) A long-fought battle. (d) Three were entirely ignorant.

7. Napoleon. All comparatively correct. 8. Prime Minister. (a) Winston Churchill (Asquith). (b) Mr. Asquith advised by Balfour and Lloyd George. (c) The Head of England.

9. South Africa. (a) A Continent South of Asia, the home of Negroes.. . . (b) A vast wild country and forests. (c) An old noted place for War such as the Boer War, where Lord Cronje was captured and Crujer. (d) One ignorant.

10. France. (a) A noted place for fancy dress. (b) Under its own protection, and it is noted for onions and was Napoleon's birthplace. (c) France is one of England's best friends, and Germany is very jealous of her. 11. Aeroplane. (a) The latest thing and most dangerous.

12. England. (a) It is the best Island in the world and second to none in all warfare; it has the biggest Navy and the smartest Army. (b) Our Country isthe smallest in the world and rules the Seas. (c) The British Isles. A free country and a. great Navy. (d) An island off Europe, capital of the world, Mistress of the Seas. (c) My Country is England, greatest country in the world and capital of the world. (f) Onr Country is known everywhere in the world. (g) England is a Peninsula and owns the largest Navy in the world. (h) Two said "an Island."

13. London. (a) A vast and-one of the largest cities in England. It is where most foreigners go, and is a free place.

14. The Flag. (a) The Flag is the Pride of our Land and Red, White, and Blue. (b) The Union Jack is England's Royal Standard, and where the Flag flies England reigns. (c) The Flag is what Germany is trying to pull down.

15. The Empire. (a) A conglomeration or gathering up of all English Colonies and Possessions into one with our King at the Head.

16. Jack Johnson. All answered this question correctly. One added, "and has a head like a lump of wood."

[We have also received (a) a batch of answers to the " Soldier's General Paper " without any covering letter ; (b) answers to the same done by a number of young soldiers, mostly recruits, at two provincial deptits ; and (c) answers to the same done by the boys at a L.C.C. school at Poplar and an elementary school in Norfolk. We regret that we are unable to do more than acknowledge the readiness shown by the officers and masters concerned to apply the test which we suggested. In general the result may be summed up in the ft:n=11a. The longer In m school the less knowledge.— En. Spectator.]