ON GRAY'S ELEGY

If required to name the most popular English poem of the last century, I should perhaps fix on the *Elegy* of Gray. According to Mason, it "ran through eleven editions in a very short space of time." If he means *separate* editions, I can point out six other impressions in the life-time of the poet, besides those in miscellaneous collections viz. In *Six Poems by Mr. T. Gray*, London, 1753. Folio—1765. Folio—and in *Poems by Mr. Gray*, London, 1768. small 8o.—Glasgow 1768. 4o.—London. A new edition, 1768. small 8o. A new edition, 1770. small 8o. So much has been said of translations and imitat…