72 



GARDENS AND THEIR MEANING 



granted that a large proportion of pupils are predestined, 

 into whatever calling they go, for the mediocre, not to say 

 under-dog, positions in life, — the very positions, of course, 

 for which throngs of applicants are always pushing. In the 

 old world of class distinctions this question would probably 



THEIR EXPERIMENT PLOT 



be quickly disposed of. In the new world, and especially in 

 the new education, the questioner will not be silenced. It is, 

 in truth, constantly being asked whether everv little spark of 

 initiative is not capable of starting a very good bonfire, if not 

 a big conflagration, and whether a puff or two, well timed, 

 might not set it ablaze. Our attitude all depends upon whether 

 we intend to train young people out of mediocrity or into it. 



