“Now, let me tell you,” continued Mr. Midith, “in another part of the ‘big-house’ is a large, richly furnished hall for all kinds of amusements, games, lectures, athletic sports, gymnastic and calisthenical exercises, singing, walking, speaking, music, bicycle riding and all other amusements and sports in which Marsites desire to engage. “Several nursery apartments for children and babies are abundantly supplied with toys. The floors of these apartments are composed of a smooth, hard composition, scrubbed or flooded several times a day. The seats, which are along the walls, are all stationary, and hundreds of children, even if left all by themselves in these departments, could do no damage to the building or furniture. Here adults can bring and amuse the babies and little children. Further on I shall describe the out-door nurseries. “The barber department, which I have referred to before, is in charge of skillful barbers, both ladies and gentlemen. Little or no shaving is done, for nearly every man wears a full beard. Men, women and children have their hair cut short, dressed and arranged in various styles, which we found more convenient and more healthful. You must always bear in mind that as man slowly but gradually reaches a higher state of intellectual culture, he makes his habits, customs and fashions conform more and more with the laws of life and health. Because his esthetic faculties continually unfold more and more in the direction of greater well-being, the pursuit of happiness becomes a continually increasing incentive. We have many other apartments, which I shall describe under the topic to which they belong.” “Oh, what beautiful, pleasant homes you must have!” said Celestine. “Yes; and how short a day’s labor is there!” exclaimed Roland. “Nearly all work is done with machinery.” “I wish we could all go and live there!” ejaculated Viola, who had been intensely interested in Mr. Midith’s description of the Marsian “big-house.” “Why, we could live here on earth just like it, if we only knew a little more,” said Mr. Midith. “There is nothing miraculous in what I have told you, and in the way we live. All you need to live, labor, and co-operate as we do on Mars, are good, fair, intelligent, industrious, orderly men, women and children, who foster no revenge, prejudice and jealousy, who know and are willing to do their respective parts from the promptings of inward sentiments. All you need in addition to what you already have is a little more intelligence for the masses--a little more experience which teaches them that right acts _only_ can bring happiness. Additional intelligence, as a whole, strengthens virtuous traits and weakens vicious ones.