ABSTRACT
At all times there have been some things about which it was correct to boast, other things about which men boasted when they were drunk or excited, and yet other things about which they kept silent. But the fashion of these things has changed very notably during my lifetime. The Victorian was proud of his deep feeling and his manly self-control. He wished it to be guessed that his heart was broken without his having to say so in explicit terms, without any hint from him as to the tragic incident by which life had been blighted. There should be as little external action as possible; the drama should be, as far as may be, confined within his own soul. Byron had set the fashion but somewhat crudely. As time went on refinements were introduced but without essential alteration.
