5 6 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



combination of atmospheric and geological activities seems insuf- 

 ficient to explain everything. It is possible that some deception 

 of the eye may enter to a minor degree into the observations that 

 have been so carefully described by Schiaparelli and others, but I 

 can not believe that that excellent observer has been mistaken as 

 to the main facts. 



Mars is a world having an atmosphere as the Earth has, and 

 possessing a diversified surface, upon which great operations of 

 Nature are taking place under our eyes ; and, while it may be idle 

 for us to speculate as to whether those operations involve the 

 weal or woe of a race of intelligent beings dwelling in the midst 

 of them, yet the mind of man will never be satisfied to let such 

 questions as these alone. If he can plant his foot upon one globe 

 only, at least his thoughts can and will range among a million. 



BEGINNINGS IN SCIENCE AT MUGBY SCHOOL.* 



By Dr. J. E. TAYLOE, F. E. S. 



JACK HAMPSON was a capital sample of the best traditions 

 of Mugby School. A lad of fourteen, with well-knit limbs, 

 brave, honest - looking, bluish -gray eyes, a good cricketer and 

 swimmer, and not bad at a high jump. He could no more do a 

 mean thing than he could tell a lie ; and he could give or take a 

 thrashing if absolutely necessary, although he would be in no 

 hurry for either. 



Mugby School has kept the lead in modern educational prog- 

 ress which a former distinguished master introduced many years 

 ago. That master was not content that boys should learn Latin 

 and Greek. He was more anxious they should learn to be Chris- 

 tian gentlemen ; to fear and eschew an untruth as they would 

 poison ; to be brave and yet gentle ; tender toward the weak, not 

 defiant even to the strong. The boys at Mugby School were well 

 acquainted with the lives of the best men of all ages and of all 

 nations, as well as with the most stirring deeds of valor, self-denial, 

 and manly bravery. The noblest thoughts of the wisest men were 

 drawn freely upon for their benefit. 



Much of this " new education " was thought an innovation at 

 first ; but never before were English lads turned out of school in 

 such high-toned, manly form, or so well able to hold their own at 

 the universities, or in the bigger world outside. 



As may be imagined, the wonders of science had not been 

 ignored in such a school. One can hardly believe that modern 

 science is almost included within the present century. All before 



* From advance-sheets of " The Playtime Naturalist," in press of D. Appleton & Co. 



