This would be absolutely false. Periodicals and novels became less popular as the more powerful middle class began to read is a false statement. Just because more people began reading that doesn't change if people like something or whether a novel or periodical remains popular.
The movement owed much to the growing sophistication of society, characterized by political stability, economic growth, and cosmopolitanism. Education has flourished at this time, with libraries and academies that allow further research to be conducted for the culture of the ancient world.
Also, Johannes Gutenberg's refinement of the press in the middle of the century has made it much easier and cheaper to spread knowledge to a wider audience.
