Replies to Minor Queries.
Coke and Cowper (Vol. iv., p. 24.).
—In reply to one of your correspondents, who inquires as to the correct pronunciation of the name of the poet Cowper, I may mention, that some years ago, being on a visit in the neighbourhood of Weston Underwood, I made particular inquiries on this point in the village, and found that there the poet had always been known as Mr. Cooper. The name of the noble family to which he was related will be the best criterion.
By the way, was there not sometime since a proposal for erecting by subscription a worthy monument to a poet whose memory every Christian must revere? In whose hands was this project, and with whom does its execution rest?
THOS. MCCALMONT.
Highfield, near Southampton, July 22. 1851.
In my humble opinion, Coke is the old English form of writing cook, from A.-Sax. "cóc." See Chaucer's Coke's Tale, and Cock Lorrell's Bote, where we read "Drouers, Cokes, and pulters;" and in this same poem occurs the line, "Carpenters, coupers, and ioyners." See also under Cooper in Pegge's Anecdotes of the English Language; the names, as thus pronounced, are rendered significant.
Should it be asked how we ought to pronounce the name of another poet, viz. Cowley, if Cowper be called Cooper, I answer that they are from different roots: that Cowley is from cow, and ley, signifying cow pasture, or place for cows; and that Cowper is only another form of Cooper: not but that in the north they pronounce cow as coo, and, therefore, they would call him Cooley.
THOS. LAWRENCE.
Ashby de la Zouch.
Dunmore Castle (Vol. iii., p. 495.).
—JAMES C. will find the subject of Vitrified Forts treated at considerable length in the fourth volume of the Archæologia Scotica, by S. Hibbert, Esq, M.D., Sir George Mackenzie, Bart., of Coul, and George Anderson, Esq., F.R.S., pp. 160-195.
T. B. J.
Edinburgh, July 18. 1851.
Gooseberry Fool (Vol. iii., p. 496.).
—The editorial note is sufficiently satisfactory; but what is the etymology of gooseberry? Clearly "gorseberry," the fruit of the prickly shrub or bush.
JAMES CORNISH.
Dryden and Oldham (Vol. iv. p. 36.).
—Whether Oldham or Dryden had the prior claim to the thought, is a very interesting question, but very easily settled in favour of the much greater poet of the two, for—
"The dedication to the Earl of Orrery was addressed to him in the year 1664, when The Rival Ladies, which was Dryden's second play, was first printed."—Malone's Dryden, vol. i. part 2. p. 3.
Whereas the poem of Oldham states itself to have been written in July, 1678.
C. B.
Theobald Anguilbert and Michael Scott (Vol. iii., p. 518.).
—TYRO will find a notice of him in Sir James Ware's Writers of Ireland, p. 92., Harris's edition.
FABER-FERRARIUS.
Dublin.
Penn Family (Vol. iii., pp. 264. 409.).
—In No. 75. of "NOTES AND QUERIES" for April, 1851, inquiry is made "to whom William Penn, the eldest son of William Penn (the founder), was married, and also to whom the children of said son were married, as well as those of his daughter Letitia (Mrs. Aubrey), if she had any?" William Penn (the son) married Mary Jones, by whom he had three children, William, Springett (who died without issue), and Gul. Maria. William had two wives, Christiana Forbes, and Ann Vaux. By Miss Forbes he had a daughter, married to Peter Gaskell, Esq.; and by Miss Vaux a son, Springett, who died without issue. Mrs. Aubrey (Letitia Penn) had no children.
EDW. D. INGRAHAM.
Philadelphia, July 4. 1851.
Bummaree (Vol. iv., p. 39.).
—I have no doubt that this word is derived, as so many of our market terms are, from the French, bonne marée, fresh fish.
"Marée signifie toute sorte de poisson de mer qui n'est pas salé; bonne marée, marée fraîche, vendeur de marée."—Dict. de l'Acad. Franc., voce.
C.
Miss or Mistress (Vol. iv., p. 6.).
—The indiscriminate use of "Miss" and "Mrs." to unmarried ladies is often very perplexing. The "Mrs." was not, as M. S. supposes, always accompanied by the Christian name for unmarried ladies; and the custom lasted at least as late as the reign of George II. Pope in his letters (about 1719) mentions "Mrs. Lepel" and "Mrs. Bellenden," maids of honour. The examples are innumerable, but the latest instance I remember is the Duchess of Queensbury addressing Patty Blount in 1756 as "Mrs. Blount;" though, no doubt, Patty was, by that time, entitled to what is called brevet rank.
C.
Book Plates (Vol. iii., p. 495.; Vol. iv., p. 46.).
—MR. PARSONS, I observe, confines his inquiry to English book plates. On that point I cannot at present offer him any information but I can to a certain extent confirm his views with regard to the use of them in foreign countries, having now before me the plate (a woodcut) of Erhardus à Muckhenthall—probably in modern German, Erhardt von Muckenthal—dated 1634. It consists of his armorial bearings, surmounted by a helmet, &c., apparently indicative of nobility; but the tinctures not being expressed, I cannot give the blazon. The charge on his shield seems to be intended for a lamb salient.
F. S. Q.
In the Surrenden Collection there are several loose impressions of Sir Edward Dering's book plate, bearing date 1630. It is a very elaborate one, and of a size adapted only for a folio volume; one of them is now before me, with the date most clearly and distinctly marked.
L. B. L.