ABSTRACT
When one considers what has come down to us from the eighteenth-century environment, one is impressed by two qualities that distinguish it: the first is that the arts and crafts were all highly developed in accordance with a standard of taste that harmonizes them, and the second is the strongly social character of eighteenth-century taste. Wedgwood and Worcester China, a chair by Chippendale and one by Sheraton, portraits by Reynolds and Gainsborough, streets by Robert Adam and John Wood, a poem by Pope and one by Johnson each of these has its distinctive qualities which are quickly recognizable by anyone who gives the matter some attention. Johnson and Pope will serve to exemplify the point that two artists in this case poets could each have individuality, and yet exhibit a community in their style of taste. Pope's couplet has the flexibility and keenness of a well-handled duelling sword; it makes its comment swiftly, gracefully and precisely.
