Our Civil Service in the 1800’s

[Vlad]

The Civil Service has not changed, civil servants are neither civil or servants, even Field Marshal 1st_Duke_of_Wellington Arthur Wellesley had grief.

[A copy of a letter sent from him that made me smile
Whilst marching from Portugal to a position which commands the approach to Madrid and the French forces, my officers have been diligently complying with your requests which have been sent by H.M. ship from London to Lisbon and thence by dispatch to our headquarters.
We have enumerated our saddles, bridles, tents and tent poles, and all manner of sundry items for which His Majesty's Government holds me accountable. I have dispatched reports on the character, wit, and spleen of every officer. Each item and every farthing has been accounted for, with two regrettable exceptions for which I beg your indulgence.
Unfortunately the sum of one shilling and ninepence remains unaccounted for in one infantry battalion's petty cash and there has been a hideous confusion as the number of jars of raspberry jam issued to one cavalry regiment during a sandstorm in western Spain. This reprehensible carelessness may be related to the pressure of circumstance, since we are at war with France, a fact which may come as a bit of a surprise to you gentlemen in Whitehall.
This brings me to my present purpose, which is to request elucidation of my instructions from His Majesty's Government so that I may better understand why I am dragging an army over these barren plains. I construe that perforce it must be one of two alternative duties, as given below. I shall pursue either one with the best of my ability, but I cannot do both:
1. To train an army of uniformed British clerks in Spain for the benefit of the accountants and copy-boys in London or perchance..
2. To see to it that the forces of Napoleon are driven out of Spain.


[Your most obedient servant. Wellington

[klondike]

Brilliant

[JBR]

Excellent!  It is clear beyond doubt that nothing changes.
Some would argue that the Civil Service is essential.  🤣

[klondike]

I believe the civil service did investigate that very thing and found at least double the number of extra civil servants would be needed to examine and evaluate the output of the current civil service.

[dextrous63]

Absolutely superb 

[Michael Rolls]

I believe the civil service did investigate that very thing and found at least double the number of extra civil servants would be needed to examine and evaluate the output of the current civil service.

Surprise, surprise, surprise

[klondike]

Filched from the Yes Minister documentary.

[dextrous63]

All so true Klondy.

Have found this, which is also true...

[Michael Rolls]

love them!