HANDBOOKS OF ENGLISH LITERATURE. EDITED BY PROFESSOR HALES. _Crown 8vo, 5s. net each._ THE AGE OF ALFRED (664-1154). By F. J. SNELL, M.A. THE AGE OF CHAUCER (1346-1400). By F. J. SNELL, M.A. With an Introduction by Professor HALES. _3rd Edition, revised._ THE AGE OF TRANSITION (1400-1580). By F. J. SNELL, M.A. 2 vols. Vol. I. The Poets. Vol. II. The Dramatists and Prose Writers. With an Introduction by Professor HALES. _3rd Edition._ THE AGE OF SHAKESPEARE (1579-1631). By THOMAS SECCOMBE and J. W. ALLEN. With an Introduction by Professor HALES. 2 vols. Vol. I. Poetry and Prose. Vol. II. The Drama. _8th Edition, revised._ THE AGE OF MILTON (1632-1660). By the Rev. J. H. B. MASTERMAN, M.A. With Introduction, etc., by J. BASS MULLINGER, M.A. _8th Edition, revised._ THE AGE OF DRYDEN (1660-1700). By R. GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. _8th Edition._ THE AGE OF POPE (1700-1748). By JOHN DENNIS. _11th Edition._ THE AGE OF JOHNSON (1748-1798). By THOMAS SECCOMBE. _7th Edition, revised._ THE AGE OF WORDSWORTH (1698-1832) By Professor C. H. HERFORD, Litt.D. _12th Edition._ THE AGE OF TENNYSON (1830-1870). By Professor HUGH WALKER. _9th Edition._ LONDON: G. BELL AND SONS, LTD. HANDBOOKS OF ENGLISH LITERATURE EDITED BY PROFESSOR HALES THE AGE OF POPE LONDON: G. BELL AND SONS LTD. PORTUGAL STREET, KINGSWAY, W.C. CAMBRIDGE: DEIGHTON, BELL & CO. NEW YORK: HARCOURT BRACE & CO. BOMBAY: A. H. WHEELER & CO. THE AGE OF POPE (1700-1744) BY JOHN DENNIS AUTHOR OF "STUDIES IN ENGLISH LITERATURE" ETC. _ELEVENTH EDITION_ [Illustration] LONDON G. BELL AND SONS, LTD. 1921 First Published, 1894. Reprinted, 1896, 1899, 1901, 1906, 1908, 1909, 1913, 1917, 1918, 1921. PREFACE. The _Age of Pope_ is designed to form one of a series of Handbooks, edited by Professor Hales, which it is hoped will be of service to students who love literature for its own sake, instead of regarding it merely as a branch of knowledge required by examiners. The period covered by this volume, which has had the great advantage of Professor Hales's personal care and revision, may be described roughly as lying between 1700, the year in which Dryden died, and 1744, the date of Pope's death.