As has been seen in an earlier chapter, the canons of reputability or decency under the pecuniary culture insist on habitual futility of effort as the mark of a pecuniarily blameless life.

There results not only a habit of disesteem of useful occupations, but there results also what is of more decisive consequence in guiding the action of any organized body of people that lays claim to social good repute.

There is a tradition which requires that one should not be vulgarly familiar with any of the processes or details that have to do with the material necessities of life.

One may meritoriously show a quantitative interest in the well-being of the vulgar, through subscriptions or through work on managing committees and the like.

One may, perhaps even more meritoriously, show solicitude in general and in detail for the cultural welfare of the vulgar, in the way of contrivances for elevating their tastes and affording them opportunities for spiritual amelioration.