C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
From ‘An Examination Paper,’ ‘The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club’
By Charles Stuart Calverley (1831–1884)
1. Mention any occasion on which it is specified that the Fat Boy was not asleep; and that (1) Mr. Pickwick and (2) Mr. Weller, senr., ran. Deduce from expressions used on one occasion Mr. Pickwick’s maximum of speed.
3. Who were Mr. Staple, Goodwin, Mr. Brooks, Villam, Mrs. Bunkin, “old Nobs,” “cast-iron head,” young Bantam?
4. What operation was performed on Tom Smart’s chair? Who little thinks that in which pocket, of what garment, in where, he has left what, entreating him to return to whom, with how many what, and all how big?
6. “Mr. Weller’s knowledge of London was extensive and peculiar.” Illustrate this by a reference to facts.
8. Give in full Samuel Weller’s first compliment to Mary, and his father’s critique upon the same young lady. What church was on the valentine that first attracted Mr. Samuel’s eye in the shop?
9. Describe the common Profeel-machine.
10. State the component parts of dog’s-nose; and simplify the expression “taking a grinder.”
11. On finding his principal in the Pound, Mr. Weller and the town-beadle varied directly. Show that the latter was ultimately eliminated, and state the number of rounds in the square which is not described.
12. “Anythink for air and exercise, as the werry old donkey observed ven they voke him up from his death-bed to carry ten gen’lmen to Greenwich in a tax-cart!” Illustrate this by stating any remark recorded in the ‘Pickwick Papers’ to have been made by a (previously) dumb animal, with the circumstances under which he made it.
18. How did the old lady make a memorandum, and of what, at whist? Show that there were at least three times as many fiddles as harps in Muggleton at the time of the ball at Manor Farm.
20. Write down the chorus to each line of Mr. S. Weller’s song, and a sketch of the mottled-faced man’s excursus on it. Is there any ground for conjecturing that he (Sam) had more brothers than one?
21. How many lumps of sugar went into the Shepherd’s liquor as a rule? and is any exception recorded?
23. “She’s a-swelling wisibly.” When did this same phenomenon occur again, and what fluid caused the pressure on the body in the latter case?
24. How did Mr. Weller, senr., define the Funds; and what view did he take of Reduced Consols? In what terms is his elastic force described when he assaulted Mr. Stiggins at the meeting? Write down the name of the meeting.
25. [Greek]: a good judge of cattle; hence, a good judge of character! Note on Æsch. Ag.—Illustrate the theory involved by a remark of the parent Weller.
28. Deduce from a remark of Mr. Weller, junr., the price per mile of cabs at the period.
29. What do you know of the hotel next the Ball at Rochester?
30. Who beside Mr. Pickwick is recorded to have worn gaiters?