Now and then one hears a caustic or witty phrase, but nothing more.

The tone of good society everywhere is to be pleasant without being prominent.

In every other European country, however, able men are encouraged to talk; in England alone they are discouraged.

People in society use a debased jargon or slang, snobbish shibboleths for the most part, and the majority resent any one man monopolising attention.

But Oscar Wilde was allowed this privileged position, was encouraged to hold forth to amuse people, as singers are brought in to sing after dinner.
Though his fame as a witty and delightful talker grew from week to week, even his marriage did not stifle the undertone of dislike and disgust.