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A legendary don complained bitterly that so many of his colleagues demeaned themselves by appearing on television. When eventually he was approached to make such an appearance he was asked, ‘Would a fee of 15 guineas be satisfactory?’, and he replied ‘That seems reasonable. To whom do I make the cheque payable?’ This story has had wide currency because it sums up so well the attitudes of some of the contemporary defenders of the academic faith.