There has lately been a violent endeavour, on the part of the British middle classes, to obtain University education for all their children,’ evidently in the idea that, with such advantages, every member of their families must become distinguished, or rich. The St George’s Guild offers no such bribe to its scholars, and entertains no such hopes for them. But it proposes a University education, wide as the fields, true as the laws, and fruitful as the roots of the earth, to all, without distinction, who desire to enjoy the happiness proper to men, and to fulfil the duties assigned to them.
from John Ruskin, http://archive.org/stream/worksjohnruskin30weddgoog#page/n114/mode/1up