18 SEPTEMBER 1926, Page 15

LITERARY COINCIDENCES

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

Sia,—In your issue of August 28th you publish letters from correspondents on " Literary Coincidences " and perhaps you may find the following of interest. Both Gray and Cowper use the expression " Pregnant with celestial fire." In Cowper's poem " Boadicea " occurs the line, " Such the Bard's prophetic words, pregnant with celestial fire " : and in Gray's Elegy we read : " Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire."—I am, Sir, &c.,

C. R. C.