_Cowper._--There is an affectation in the present day for pronouncing
words, not only contrary to established usage, but in defiance of
orthography. The Bar furnishes one example, and "polite society" the
other. By the former, a judge on the bench is called, instead of "My
_Lord_" and "His _Lordship_," "My _Lud_" and "His _Ludship_;" and in the
latter, _Cowper_ is metamorphosed into _Cooper_. Now, I fancy that "My
_Lord_" is a vast deal more euphonious than "My _Lud_" and _Cowper_, as
Shakspeare has it, "becomes the mouth as well" as _Cooper_. We don't
speak of getting milk from the _coo_, but from the _cow_; and _Cow_
being the first syllable of the poet's name should not be tortured into
_Coo_, in compliment to a nonsensical fastidiousness, whoever may have
set the example. As _Cowper_ the poet has been hitherto known, and by
that name will be cherished by posterity. John Kemble, the great actor,
I remember, tried to alter the pronunciation of _Rome_ to _room_, and
was laughed at for his pains, though he had the authority of a pun of
the bard's own for the change: "Old _Rome_ and _room_ enough." But
Shakspeare was but an indifferent punster at the best, as is proved by
Falstaff's refusing to give a _reason_ on compulsion, even though
"_reasons_ were as plentiful as blackberries;" corrupting _raisin_ into
_reason_, for his purpose, which is as far-fetched as any instance of
the kind on record, I think. But I digress, and beg pardon for running
so away from the _cow_.