The library was one more essential in the parade of rooms in a big 18th-century house - and part of the required kit ever afterwards. The important thing was to have the books, not actually read them.
This quote highlights the social and symbolic function of libraries in aristocratic homes. It suggests that possessing a library was more about status and establishing a certain cultural image than about reading its contents. The act of having books became a statement of wealth, education, and taste, even if the books remained unread. This reflects a broader observation on societal values where appearance and symbolism often overshadow practical use, emphasizing the importance placed on material possessions and the way they convey social position.
