Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-08-31
How they do Business in the British War
0mce.

According to the following description, given
by the British Army aud Navy Register, the per-
sons employed in the War Office in London are
not overtasked;
"At the risk Of being considered tedious we
will give a sketch of life in the War Office be-
tween the hours of 10 aud 4. Let us enter the
room before US; 1t looks cool, and there is
screen In the corner which will eilectually con-
ceal us, while we make our observations, from
the eyes of the officials who sit at those four
square mahogany desks. 1t Is justtwenty min
utes past 10, SO we may expect those WORTHLESS
Immediately. All here is one. He is quiet
old gentleman, dressed in black with a white
neck. tie, he hangs up his coat, hat, and um
brella, takes his seat In an arm chair and grad
ually falls asleep. While we have been de-
scribing him the other clerks have entered the
room, and are preparing for the arduous duties
of the day. Another dun,' says young gen.
tleman, looking at the supersGription Of a let
ter he has just taken from of his desk. Con
found the man, this is the third letter | have
received from him in four days. He puts down
the note, and pours some water into the tum-
bier containing the rosebud which peeps through
his button hole when he is out of office. He
yawns, sits down, and lazily glances at the
Tunes.
"'I say observes an individual, with a
horseshoe pin placed In the centre of bis scarf,
| old Muddle has gone to sleep; dontyou think
we ought 10 wake him up TO send out the re-
port p Mr.. Middle opens his eyes with a
start, murmurs something about long walk,
and fills up form which he signs and sends
to the head of the department By messenger.
During the next hour and half there is a dead
silence in the room. All the gentlemen, (with
the exception of the Chief who Is doing over
minute paper,) are at hard work at the
Times. At last the young possessor of the
rosebud rises from his desk with sigh of re-
lief and yawns. 'Mr. Fitz Twaddle,' says the
chief clerk, suddenly, don't you think you
might try little indexingl" 'Ab, that's rather
a good idea, replies his subordinate, seeing a
| way TO kill time; give me the book The book
| Is given, and FitZ Twaddle tries little index
ing. He soon gets tired of the occupation,
draws caricsture of his chief clerk on some
blotting paper, looks at the clock, and leisurely
puts on his coat, rosebud and hat. Going to
post letter. he observes at the door of the
room. He pays his bosom friend, Frank No,
mind, visit on his way to the hall, and the
two young gentlemen together leave for the
Park. The individual with the horse shoe
scaripin now produces Dutch oven and Q
pork.chop. Assisted by the other clerk, who
rejoices in long beard and a rough head o
hair, he cooks the meat at the official fire. The
, banquet is then served on dirty towel. q
say, Vikings says he of the horseshoe, q
think shall bring a Soyer.' Capital thing
sir; when ! was down In Warwickshire,' re
, plies Vikings, i found 1t of great use.'
! "The merits of Warwickshire and thI
charms of sporting are then discussed for al
hour, when a messenger, holding paper II
! his hand, enters the room. What do yol
wantr is the abrupt inquiry Of Vikings
7 Mr.. Brownley, sir, says can he have 22s.
} l64th Foot, 99i.' No, he can't have 1t unit
Tuesday, replies the clerk, and then continue
an anecdote he has been relating-'so tn
: squire told him to lie still, touched the mar
, with the spur, and cleared the ditch like
bird.' "A capital leap the man with tn
horse. shoe observesI but when was down /
Devonshire l. and the anecdote of Wilking
: is trumped. Mr.. Fitz Twaddle now return
s from his promenade. He divides his afternoo
Into three portions; the first he devotes to hole
i ing levees attended by Frank Nomind, the set
8 ond TO yawning, and the third 10 little indie!
e ing. Mr.. Vikings employs his time in writir
: the Town Talk for the Bunkumville Mercur
and the gentleman in the scarf-pin, havir
nothing particular TO do, reperuses the Time
The small hand of the clock sluggishly NOV
e towards four, and when 1t points to that ho,
h the room Is deserted"