Many students and writers upon the signs of the times take an extremely pessimistic view of the situation, and believe that we shall witness "blood to the horses' bridles." No one can deny that things are desperately bad, and that something must be done soon to relieve the strain or the very worst may be apprehended; yet the author prefers to see things through optimistic eyes, and believes that God will raise up a Moses, (or Doctor Jones, if you please,) who will lead us to a higher and better state than this world has yet ever known. The old adage 'It is always darkest just before dawn,' is beautifully applicable to the present state of the world. So I take courage and launch my book out upon the tempestuous sea of humanity, trusting that it may be welcomed as the harbinger of a better and happier era. I am sure that it bears to the world the olive branch of peace. As is usual with prefaces, this one is anticipatory and can only be appreciated after one has perused the book. So I make the request of the reader that he re-read it after having become acquainted with the scheme and scope of the work. This volume is to be immediately followed by volumes two and three, which complete the set. S.E. CHAPMAN, M.D. Napa, Cal., Dec. 13th, 1897. INDEX. PAGE. Chapter I. "Figures don't lie." 1 " II. Two men resolve to go picnicking. 7 " III. Mrs. Jones offers some objections. 10 " IV. Mrs. Jones dictates terms. 14 " V. The Government joins the picnickers. 18 " VI. Off on a shoreless sea. 22 " VII. A Gunpowder tea party. 25 " VIII. Relating how the beautiful picnic progressed. 32 " IX. In the heart of Labrador. 38 " X. A message from the skies. 49 " XI. Is the world growing better? 54 " XII. Greenland's Icy Mountains and the Russian Bear. 63 " XIII. Beauty and the Beast. 75 " XIV. Doctor Jones commits treason. 83 " XV. A model teacher and an ideal student. 94 " XVI. The Count steps over the line. 100 " XVII. Farewell to Beauty and the Beast. 108 " XVIII. Woman locates the North Pole. 118 " XIX. The planting of the Flagstaff. 125 " XX. Battle of Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. 135 " XXI. Things material and spiritual. 143 " XXII. Familiar scenes and faces. 151 " XXIII. The world at the feet of Doctor Jones. 164 " XXIV. Ho! for the SOUTH POLE! 175 DOCTOR JONES' PICNIC. CHAPTER I.