At one time females offered themselves for the trial, and gave good proof of their prowess and ability; but this ambition did not obtain for long, and their desire of emulation in merely muscular exercises grew into disfavour; for woman considered it incumbent upon her to keep in advance of man in intellectual and philanthropical pursuits. Social history had taught her that man must possess an ideal for his guidance, and where was that to be found if not in woman? It was her influence, and her example which had advanced him to his present high morality, his present plane of purity. Sometimes several generations would pass away before an occasion arose for the GREAT TEST TOURNAMENT to take place, so that when an engagement of this kind came off, it formed, in truth, a world’s fête. Kings and commoners flocked from all parts to witness this unusual spectacle: for the old love of combativeness was still dominant in the human mind, although mainly kept under excellent restraint. The opportunity therefore, of seeing such an important contest, the result of which bore such serious issues, was eagerly sought by all classes, in every country. Indeed, it was patronised to such an extent that it was found necessary to restrict the number of sightseers to one million. For it was found most inconvenient to entertain and provide accommodation for more, there being no room for such a heavy addition to their numbers in the already well-filled city. All cities were pretty nearly alike, in this respect, the world being very thickly populated. THE GREAT TEST TOURNAMENT formed, in truth, a grand and imposing spectacle. What an exciting scene would then present itself! Flying machines impelled by electric energy darkened the air. Sumptuous carriages set in motion by the same force, and filled with gaily costumed men and women eager to witness the scene, whirled along the roads formed of cement as smooth as glass, and hard as adamant. Horsemen elegantly attired, cantered briskly along the side road, which was devoted specially to their use, for that designed for general purposes was too smooth for the equestrian. Horses, indeed, were trotted out more for display than absolute use, by the wealthy, for the means of locomotion was accessible to all. The poorest person, almost, could conveniently run his own electric car; for the expense of construction was light, and by a simple process of the conservation of energy the supply of electric force was sustained at a small cost. By this time the concentration and conservation of solar energy was in general practice; usually large manufactories favoured its use, for the storage of the sun’s rays had become practicable and was superseding electricity to some extent. The ocean was no impediment to personal locomotion, for seas were skimmed over by means of electrical flying machines; while ships impelled by the same force were used chiefly for the transport of cargo.