With his diagram--measuring nearly six feet in length--spread out beside him, he embarks upon an elaborate and convincing vindication of his beloved _Britannia_--for this is what it amounts to--and there is no getting away from his figures. Without reproducing the tables, which are rather numerous and complex, it is interesting to note that the following facts are clearly established:-- LEFT THE SERVICE AS CADETS OR MIDSHIPMEN. 1st class 7·8 per cent. 2nd class 14·3 per cent. 3rd class 27·4 per cent. ATTAINED THE RANK OF SUB-LIEUTENANT. 1st class 88·1 per cent. 2nd class 82·7 per cent. 3rd class 69·6 per cent. PASSED SUB-LIEUTENANT'S EXAMINATION AT THE PROPER TIME (ALL CLASSES). Period from 1858 to 1863 61·9 per cent. Period from 1864 to 1868 70·3 per cent. SELECTED EXAMPLES. Passed at the Obtained Promoted for proper time. 1st class at passing College. examination. First four of 1st class 88·1 per cent. 26·2 per cent. 15·1 per cent. First four of 2nd class 74·4 per cent. 4·2 per cent. 1·9 per cent. Last four of 2nd class 56·4 per cent. 0·0 per cent. 0·0 per cent. Last four of 3rd class 44·7 per cent. 0·0 per cent. 0·0 per cent. OBTAINED FIRST CLASS ON PASSING FOR SUB-LIEUTENANT. _Britannia._ Seamanship. Gunnery. Navigation. 1st class 51·2 per cent. 36·8 per cent. 14·7 per cent. 2nd class 28·7 per cent. 10·1 per cent. 2·2 per cent. 3rd class 17·5 per cent. 2·6 per cent. 0·0 per cent. COMPARISON OF SELECTED EXAMPLES. _Britannia._ Seamanship. Gunnery. Navigation. First four, } 1st class } First four, } 9·0 per cent. 8·1 per cent. 8·2 per cent. 2nd class } _Above_ average } of class } Last four, } 2nd class } 7·6 per cent. 4·8 per cent. 2·2 per cent. Last four, } 3rd class } 7·0 per cent. 1·3 per cent. -- _Below_ average } of class } From these and similar data Mr. Inskip draws the following perfectly justifiable deductions:-- (1) Assuming that the ability of a midshipman to pass his examinations for sub-lieutenant the moment his time is served may be considered as evidence of proficiency, it is seen that in this respect each class has maintained its relative position with regard to original classification. (2) That the comparison of selections with whole classes shows that the original certificates were distributed on an equitable scale, or strictly in accordance with merit. (3) That this argument is confirmed by the general results of the final examinations for sub-lieutenants.