To quote again from a newspaper clipping of that day: Depraved Customer-" Do you sell the books of Edgar Saltus?" "Edgar Saltus: The Man" by Marie Saltus

The fact is, that a democratic form of government is powerless when the nation is so utterly depraved. "Monsieur Violet" by Frederick Marryat

Now hear something more, if you please: I can't rise to your level- I am too depraved; you can't descend to my level, either, for you are too exalted. "The Lady with the Dog and Other Stories" by Anton Chekhov