The growth of specialization in the nineteenth century, with its consequent requirement of a longer, more complex training, implied greater problems for amateurparticipation in science.
The story, as well as one remembered, began with Lamar's failure to reach St. Petersburg at all, and his consequent detention in Paris waiting instructions.
Perhaps it has something to do with the changing nature of the economy and consequent shortage of low-skilled jobs, or the long crumbling of family structures and discipline.