_Coke, how pronounced_ (Vol. iv., pp. 24. 74. 93. 138. 244.).--I think
that the pronunciation of _Cook_ for _Coke_ is not a "modern
affectation," as in a MS. journal of the proceedings in parliament of
the session of 1621, now in my possession, there is, amongst other
amusing things, an account of a quarrel between Mr. Clement Coke, son of
Sir Edward, and Sir Charles Moryson, in which Mr. Coke's name is
frequently spelt _Cooke_. I should judge that the pronunciation was by
no means settled at that time; for, as the journal was evidently written
whilst the debates were going on, it appears to me that the
pronunciation of each speaker was followed, and the name is spelt
differently in speeches that succeed each other. I send you an exact
copy of one example of this:
"M'r Whittbye.--That M'r _Coke_ will submitt and satisfy in
acknow'g his wrong don, if S'r Char's will say he ment it not a
disgrace.
"S'r Ro. Phil'ps.--I would any way mitigate y'e censure: I should
need no other induce't but to rememb'r he is y'e soun of such a
father. But I must say, I thinke S'r Char's hath not given y'e
least occas'n to M'r _Cooke_," &c. &c.