National Republican., 1881-11-26
DEPARTMENTAL LIFE.
a SLEEPING AND WAKING DREAM.
The Alpha and Omega Of Onleisl LIfe-what IL Re
quires to Pull Throush-Where the
Clerks Come From-Their No
Mean AttAinments.

Does anybody outside of Washington
have an idea OF what life In aGovernmcnt Depart
ment ISL In the first place there is the scramble
for an appointment, the weary waiting, aud the
hope deferred day after day; the rushing around
after influential friends to urge the claim and the
peculiar fitness OF the applicant for the place de-
sired and ater innumerabe visits or letters to the
head Of the Department the assignment TO duty
All this precedes the entrance upon official life
whether In the capacity Of copyist, FIRST second
or third class clerk Then follows the long, weary
days sitting at n desk trying to do something one
has never tried to do before To become an OBJ
ieot to be stared nj and whispered about and
criticized by the older clerks In the Office, who ore
always curious TO know what kind Of hand he or
she writes, what State they hail from, and what
roll they are on. The days, weeks, and months
pass on, and the new conner. II at all bright and
capable, begins to become familiar with the work
before him and TO feel pretty wen acquainted with
his fellowcerks, and here comes the most
TRYING PART OF OFFICIAL LiFB
No one, except those who have tried IL, know
what II Is TO be shut up In n room with the snme
people seven hours six days every week. People
from rs many different parts OF the country as
there are individuals, and with quite as many DIFF
ferent opinions. No two Of them with the same
religious belief; some highly cultured and some
without any culture at all. The majority OF them
90 pufIcd up with their own importance as TO
Imagine that the wheels OF the Government would
Immediately stand still IL by chance they should
die or resign or be dismissed. Conversation never
lngs for want OF q subject. II is enough TO set
sane person insane 10 hear the various topics In
troduccd and discussed In the course of the day,
and also to hear the different hobbies ventilated.
Almost every man has hobby, whatever his posi-
tlon in life, but IL does seem II those OF the
Government clerk have no equal outside. The
financial schemes introduced from time 10 time
are really wonderful. It is
THE SLEEPING AND WAKING DREAM
OF the average clerk to become rich at least In
dependent enough 10 resign; and yet he never for
moment imagines that this Is to be attained by
self denial, economy, or small savings. Oh, mol
Some lucky investment In lottery ticket is TO
draw the coveted prize. good speculation is 10
surprise him, or rise in mining stocks Is to make
him suddenly millionaire. II is remarkable how
the ideas Of the clerk change and enlarge after
few years residence In Washington. Away off In
his country home one good suit Of clothes was
made TO do service for more than one season, and
an interesting book or an agreeable companion
was sufficient entertainment for his evenings. But
amer q sojourn here In Government employ he
must have new suit Of clothes for every change
of season, new neckte to match each suit, and
gloves to match the necktie and a cane to match
the gloves, and scarf pin to match the cane, and
q hat TO match them all.
EVERY EVENING THERE MUST BE
tickets to the heater or the opera, or carriage 10
the ball. or supper at Harveys or Welcker, or, II
near the end Of the month, at some second or
third-rate restaurant If @ lady clerk-but the
pen must move gently dealing with them, for
majority of the lady clerks arc noble, self-sacri-
fcing women, forced to this life through loss OF
father or husband or the demands Of dependent
ones, and the outside world has no knowledge Of
the struggles they make what many OF them
pass through In providing for these loved ones.
Their salaries are, with few exceptions, much
smaller than those of the male clerks, but they
often make 1t do twice as much service. There
arc IN every office, though, some lady clerks who
do not have burdens to bear, and Of them 1t has
been observed how the womanly weakness for
personal adornment takes possession of them.
What dainty costumes they appear in and how
they love to display pretty little pieces OF ewery
and becoming laces
ALTHOUGH THE LIFE Is FLOODING ONE,
aud there Is far more reality than romance in it
the latter is not altogether absent for more than
one Romeo has there found his Juliet. Youthful
couples thrown constantly together frequently be-
come interested in each other, and before they
aware of It the dangerous little god has marked
them for his own. What fun 1t is for the other
clerks to watch the progress of the GGdire du cr,
the interested parties all the while imagining that
It Is known only to themselves. and after time,
some day at the close of business, the lady quietly
bids adleu to those around her. and remarks she is
not coming back again. The clerks gathered in
the several Departments are far from being igno-
rant as a class although some may be entitled to
the charge. There are poets, historians, philoso-
pliers, lawyers, and theologians to be found OF no
mean attachments. Various causes have led them
70 this city, and TO the positions they hold They
have drilled here
FROM ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY,
from the bleak and rugged hills Of New England
from the sunny region Of the orange and the pal
metto, from the mountains and wales ofthe Western
Territories. and from the golden fields of Calior
mia. Many Of them boast Of an ancestry distn-
guished In this country and the Old World, Many
Of them at one time possessed both wealth and in-
Huence. II the story of some-for many have q
history--could be written out II would be more
thrilling and interesting than the most sensational
OF the modern novels. There are also some very
peculior people among them. Life moves on day
after day in such limited circle, that IL one is a,
all inclined to cranky notions 1t develops more
rapidly aud the sharp corners stand out so promi-
nently that 1t becomes dangerous to come In con.
tact with them. Yet after allthe life is good one
for discipline and two or three years OF such en-.
ployment-butnot any longer, for after that time
man IL apt TO settle down In q rut and remain
there--two or three years OF such discipline helps
to form character and 70 give man better com
mand of himself
Deaths OF Kings and Queens sa England
William the Conqueror died from enor
nous fat, from drink, and from the violence Of hi
passions.
william Rufus died the death Of the poor stag
which he hunted.
Henry l. died OF gluttony.
Henry ii. died of a broken heart, occasioned BY
bud conduct of his children.
Richard Coeur dc Leon, like the animal from
which his heart was named. died by an arrow from
an archer.
John died nobody knows how, but Il Is sait
from chagfin, which we suppose is another name
for hellebore.
Henry III. is said TO have died natural DEATH
Edward ]. Is said TO have died OF a natura
sickness "a sickness which would puzzle all tn,
college physicians TO denominate.
Edward ii. was barbarously and indecent!
murdered by ruffans employed by his own wifi
aud her paramour.
Edward III. died Of dotagc. and Richard ii. o
staryaton--the very reverse of George ~.
Henry ~. Is said 10 have died of Hts caused b.
uneasiness, and unensiness In palaces in thos
times was very common complaint.
Henry v. is said TO have died Of painful 0filc
hon. prematurely. This is o courtly term for get
ting rid OF king.
Henry VI died in prison, by means known ther
only TO his jailor. and now only IN heaven.
Edward v. was stranged by his uncle. Richard
III.
Richard III. was killed In battle.
Henry VII. wasted away, as a mIser ought to.
Henry VIII. died Of carbuncles and fury.
Edward vi. died OF a decline.
Queen Mary Is said 10 have died Of a broker
heart
Old Queen Bess is said 10 have died OF meian
sholy, from having sacrificed Essex 10 his enc
mics.
James 1. died from drinking and the effects Q
vice.