ABSTRACT
A hundred years ago and, still more, a hundred and fifty years ago, well-to-do people, though less numerous than they are now, were certainly more civilised. A rich man, in those days, was expected to be able to quote the Latin poets, to judge Italian Renaissance pictures, and to appreciate classical music. He had, as a rule, a considerable knowledge of the literature of his own country and (even if he were not French) of that of France.
