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Thomas Purcell was evidently a popular man, and on the 24th of June, 1672, he was elected "Marshall of the Corporation of Musique in Westminster," in room of Captain Cooke,[10] who resigned "by reason of sicknesse." Two years later he received another court appointment from the King; a state paper preserved in the Record Office tells us that he succeeded "John Wilson, deceased, to hold during His Majesty's pleasure, with the fee of £20 per annum, payable quarterly out of the Exchequer, to commence 25th March, 1674," subscribed by warrant from the Earl of Burlington, Master of His Majesty's Household.
Another warrant under the signet gives an order to the treasurer of the chamber for the time being, "to pay unto Thomas Purcell (one of His Majesty's Musicians in Ordinary, in the place of Dr. John Wilson, deceased), the wages and fee of £20 by the day, and £16 2s. 6d. yearly for a livery, payable quarterly, from Lady-day 1674, and to continue during His Majesty's pleasure."
Thomas Purcell lived till 1682, so that he had the satisfaction of witnessing the extraordinary development of his nephew's genius, and could also rejoice to see the general recognition of his merits, and of the honourable rewards he was so rapidly acquiring. When, at last, full of years and honours, Thomas departed this life, he was buried near his brother in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey. We seek in vain for the musical compositions of either Henry (the elder) or of Thomas: with the exception of a few chants in common use in our cathedrals, nothing of their work remains to us.
When Henry Purcell, the younger, became a chorister in the Chapel Royal at six years of age, the master of the boys was Captain Henry Cooke, an old musician, who had belonged to the chapel of Charles I., but who, on the breaking out of civil war, had laid aside the peaceful art of music to engage in the rough dissonances of battle and strife, and changed his service from that of a Royal musician to become a Royalist soldier. In the latter capacity he won a captain's commission, and possibly it was not less as a reward for his devotion and bravery on behalf of his king than as a recognition of his musical ability that Charles II. appointed him "Master of the Children of the Chapel." That he was well qualified for the post can be shown by reference to the opinions of his contemporaries, and also to the numerous compositions of his still extant in manuscript.
Pepys' Diary contains frequent reference to Cooke, and his compositions:—
"After sermon a brave anthem of Captain Cooke's which he himself sang, and the king was well pleased with it." (Aug. 12, 1660.)
"A poor dry sermon, but a very good anthem of Captain Cooke's afterwards." (Oct. 7, 1660.)
"To Whitehall Chapel with Mr. Childe, and there did hear Captain Cooke and his boys make trial of an anthem against to-morrow, which was brave musique." (Feb. 23, 1661.)
"Captain Cooke, Mr. Gibbons, and others of the king's musicians, were come to present my Lord with some songs and symphonys, which were performed very finely." (May 19, 1661.)
"After dinner Mr. Townsend was called upon by Captain Cooke; so we three went to a taverne hard by, and there he did give us a song or two, and without doubt he hath the best manner of singing in the world." (July 27, 1661.)
"To Whitehall Chapel, where sermon almost done, and I heard Captain Cooke's new musique. This the first day of having vialls and other instruments to play a symphony between every verse of the anthems, but the musique more full than it was last Sunday, and very fine it is. But yet I could discerne Captain Cooke to overdo his part at singing, which I never did before." (September 14, 1662.)
"We had an excellent anthem sung by Captain Cooke and another, and brave musique.... After dinner to chappel again, and there had another anthem of Captain Cooke's." (May 18, 1662.)
"A most excellent anthem with symphonys between, sung by Captain Cooke." (Sept. 7, 1662.)
"Captain Cooke, and his two boys, did sing some Italian songs which, I must in a word say, I think was fully the best musique that I ever yet heard in all my life." (Dec. 21, 1663.)