The reason for this difference in tastes between the past and the incoming generation of the well-bred lies in the changing economic situation.

A similar difference is perceptible in other respects, as well as in the accepted ideals of pleasure grounds.

In this country as in most others, until the last half century but a very small proportion of the population were possessed of such wealth as would exempt them from thrift.

Owing to imperfect means of communication, this small fraction were scattered and out of effective touch with one another.

There was therefore no basis for a growth of taste in disregard of expensiveness.