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 imitations, that I shall confine
myself to the text.

Of the _first_ separate edition I am so fortunate as to possess a copy.
It is thus entitled:--

"_An elegy wrote in a country church-yard_. LONDON: printed for
R. Dodsley in Pal-mall; and sold by M. Cooper in
Pater-noster-row, 1751. Price six-pense. 4o six leaves.

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