Note 11 — VI JAMES BOSWELL—HIS BOOK

The original of the portrait opposite was owned by Boswell, who used the engraving as the frontispiece of his “Life of Johnson.” Now in the Johnson collection of Robert B. Adam, Esq., of Buffalo. There is a proof plate with an inscription in Boswell’s hand: “This is the first impression of the Plate after Mr. Heath the engraver thought it was finished. He went with me to Sir Joshua Reynolds who suggested that the countenance was too young and not thoughtful enough. Mr. Heath thereupon altered it so much to its advantage that Sir Joshua was quite satisfied and Heath then saw such a difference that he said he would not for a hundred pounds have had it remain as it was.”