JOHNSON, Samuel. Cartoon drawing showing Johnson's ghost offering money to Hester Thrale. Published by Thomas Cornell, 7th April 1788. Hand-coloured, 250mm by 170mm. "Frontispiece for the 2nd edition of Dr. J...n's Letters. / Madam (my debt to nature paid) / I thought the grave with hallow'd shade / Would now protect my name. / Yet there in vain I seek repose / My friends each little fault disclose / and murder Johnson's Fame. / First B...ll [James Boswell] with officious care / Shew'd me as men would show a Bear / and call'd himself my Friend. / Sir J...n [Sir John Hawkins] strew'd my hearse / and Co....y [Colley Cibber] pester'd me with verse. / You torture without end. / When Streatham [where Hester Thrale lived] opened its plenteous board, / I opened Learnings valued hoard / And as I feasted, prosed / Good things I said, good things I eat / I gave you knowledge for your Meat. / And thought th' Account was closed. / If Obligations still I owed / You sold each item to the Crowd, / I suffered by the Tale. / For God's sake Madam, let me rest / Nor longer vex your quondam Guest / I'll pay you for your Ale." Framed and glazed. This is a rare Johnson print. Apparently no copy in the ESTC.