Johnson shrewdly notes the consequences of this new form of 
social realism, indicating its basic deviation from the forms of 
book learning:

          The task of our present writers is very different; it 
     requires, together with that learning which is to be gained 
     from books, that experience which can never be attained 
     by solitary diligence, but must arise from general converse 
     and accurate observation of the living world. Their 
     performances have, as Horace expresses it, plus oneris  
     quantum veniae minus , little indulgence, and therefore 
     more difficulty. They are engaged in portraits of which 
     every one knows the original, and can detect any 
     deviation from exactness of resemblance. Other writings 
     are safe, except from the malice of learning, but these are 
     in danger from every common reader; as the slipper ill