Thomas Gray to Robert Dodsley, [12 February 1753]

I am not at all satisfied with the Title. to have it conceived, that I publish a Collection of Poems (half a dozen little Matters, four of wch too have already been printed again & again) thus pompously adorned would make me appear very justly ridiculous. I desire it may be understood (wch is the truth) that the Verses are only subordinate, & explanatory to the Drawings, & suffer'd by me to come out thus only for that reason. therefore if you yourself prefix'd this Title, I desire it may be alter'd; or if Mr W: order'd it so, that you would tell him, why I wish it were changed in the manner I mention'd to you at first, or to that purpose: for the more I consider it, the less I can bear it, as it now stands. I even think, there is an uncommon sort of Simplicity, that looks like affectation, in putting our plain Christian & Surnames without a Mr before them; but this (if it signifies any thing) I easily give up; the other I can not. you need not apprehend, that this Change in the Title will be any prejudice to the Sale of the book. a showy title-page may serve to sell a Pamphlet of a shilling or two; but this is not of a price for chance-customers, whose eye is caught in passing by a window; & could never sell but from the notion the Town may entertain of the Merit of the Drawings, wch they will be instructed in by some, that understand such things.

I thank you for the Offer you make me, but I shall be contented with three Copies, two of wch you will send me, & keep the third, till I acquaint you where to send it. if you will let me know the exact day they will come out a little time beforehand, I will give you a direction. you will remember to send two copies to Dr Thomas Wharton, M:D: at Durham. perhaps you may have burnt my Letter, so I will again put down the Title