Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
to look like it was old, just to fool all the geologists, and Nature
was reduced to a role of meaningless illusion.
When Arthur and Bob went back to school for their final year,
they excitedly told their teacher, Mr. McIntosh, about the dis-
cussion on radioactivity in
The Times
that was just coming to a
close. It was Mr. McIntosh who had taught them to laugh at the
teachings of Gosse and from whom they learnt with delight that
there were people who audaciously doubted that the world was
made in six days. It was he who introduced them to the works
of Lord Kelvin, who had transformed four thousand years into
millions, and now here was Kelvin being publicly derided in
The Times
by geologists who brazenly demanded more time! The
boys' imaginations were fired. Both wanted to know about
the magic of 'radioactivity' that they had read so much about,
and were captivated with the thought of trying to determine the
age of the Earth for themselves. But more urgent things were
approaching and there was no time for day-dreaming. They took
their Higher Certificate exams, passing at the top of their class,
but Arthur did exceptionally well and was entered for a National
Scholarship award which meant further exams. Eventually the
long-awaited letter from the Board of Education arrived and no-
one was more surprised than its recipient:
Sir, I am directed to state that you have been successful in the recent
Competition for National Scholarships - Group B, (Physics). These
scholarships are tenable at the Royal College of Science, London, or at the
Royal College of Science, Dublin, and I am to request that you will at
once inform the Board at which of the Institutions you desire to hold your
scholarship.
He chose London, while Bob went as planned to Armstrong
College, Newcastle. Both went to study physics.
At the Royal College of Science in 1907 there were only two terms
a year. The hours of study were strictly between 10 a.m. and
