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 every 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. 
