Extravagance in Paris makes extravagance the fashion everywhere; under the Empire, to spend money was the readiest road to social distinction.

The old _bourgeoisie_ still retained the careful habits of the days of Louis Philippe, and made fortunes by cheeseparing.

Imperial Paris was far above this.

Families were obliged to spend 20 per cent, of their incomes in order to lodge themselves; shops in favoured quarters were let for fabulous prices, and charged fabulous prices for their wares.

_Cocodettes_ of the Court, _cocottes_ of the Bois, wives of speculators, shoddy squaws from New York, Calmues recently imported from their native steppes, doubtful Italian Princesses, gushing Polish Countesses, and foolish Englishwomen, merrily raced along the road to ruin.