First editions and other treasures connected with the life and work of Dr. Samuel Johnson are being exhibited this week in the Widener Room of the Memorial Library.

The high spot in this small but interesting exhibit is a first edition of James Boswell's "Life of Johnson." This quarto was printed in 1791 in two volumes and presented to Sir Joshua Reynolds by the author, whose autograph appears on the title page.

Latter Editions

Of interest in this connection is a later edition of the same work which was published in two volumes in 1783 and autographed by Boswell for Mrs. Williams. This lady will be remembered as the person with whom Johnson often partook of afternoon tea.

In 1902 were found two copies of Johnson's "prologue spoken at the opening of the Drury-Lane Theatre in 1747." One of these books is owned by the library and is now on display.

Case of Lives and Letters

Another case contains a special two-volume edition of "The Life of Alexander Pope" from Johnson's "Lives of the Poets." It is "illustrated with portraits, views and autograph letters; water color drawings and proof engravings illustrating Pope's work and translation." Several letters from Dr. Johnson to Sir Joshua Reynolds are included in this rare book.

The "Plan of the Dictionary" printed in 1747 is on exhibition along with a first edition of Johnson's Dictionary printed in two huge volumes in 1755.

That Samuel Johnson actually wrote what would today be called "funny-papers" is not beyond belief. In the exhibit is a series of eight hand-colored plates entitled "A Lesson for Spendthrifts." Under seven of these amusing caricatures, which were drawn and engraved by Newton and printed in 1794, are verse stanzas signed by Johnson.