The biographers [print] / J.S., f.
According to George, this is an unpublished proof. The publication information is lightly scored through.
Etched in lower margin: Three Authors in three Sister Kingdoms born, / The shrine of Johnson with their Works adorn / The first a female Friend with letterd Pride, / Bares those Defects which Frienship ought to hide, / B ... ll to Genius gives a Monsters Air / And shews his Johnson as Men Shew a Bear, / C ... y to Merit as to Grammar true, / Blurrs with bad Verse the Worth he never knew / O could the Sage whose Fame employs their Pen / Visit his great Biographers again / His two good Friends would find him d ... d uncivil / And he would drive the Poet to the Devil.
Item no. 91 of a collection of prints by James Sayers (PML 146857); formerly part of an album of mounted prints, now disbound.
In pencil at foot: Mrs. Piozzi Mr. Courtenay Mr. Boswell.
Print shows a bust of Samuel Johnson on a pedestal looks down disapprovingly at three of his biographers, Hester Lynch Piozzi, John Courtenay, and James Boswell, seated around a table.