Each of them, in his way, felt the need of appealing to the new class of readers by direct portraiture of the readers themselves, Fielding's merit is his thorough appreciation of this necessity.
"English Literature and Society in the Eighteenth Century"
Leslie Stephen
Martial, in his way, is perhaps even more clear-cut and minute in his portraiture.
"Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius"
Samuel Dill
But, passing from mere portraiture to the realisation of ideas, the artist feels his liberty, and gives his genius full rein.
"The History of "Punch""
M. H. Spielmann