It is indeed their feeble boast that they are not literally illiterate.
They are always saying the ancient barons could not sign their own
names--for they know less of history perhaps than of anything else. The
modern barons, however, can sign their own names--or someone else’s for
a change. They can sign their own names; and that is about all they can
do. They cannot face a fact, or follow an argument, or feel a tradition;
but, least of all, can they, upon any persuasion, read through a plain
impartial book, English or foreign, that is not specially written to
soothe their panic or to please their pride. Looking up at these seats
of the mighty I can only say, with something of despair, what Robert
Lowe said of the enfranchised workmen: “We must educate our masters.”
I do not mean this as paradoxical, or even as symbolical; it is simply
tame and true. The modern English rich know nothing about things, not
even about the things to which they appeal. Compared with them, the
poor are pretty sure to get some enlightenment, even if they cannot get
liberty; they must at least be technical. An old apprentice learnt
a trade, even if his master came like any Turk and banged him most
severely. The old housewife knew which side her bread was buttered, even
if it were so thin as to be almost imperceptible. The old sailor knew
the ropes; even if he knew the rope’s end. Consequently, when any
of these revolted, they were concerned with things they knew, pains,
practical impossibilities, or the personal record.