Chapter C: P. Ph

May not this have been a bell specially rung at funerals, and deriving its name (as has been suggested to me) from _cache corps_, "cover the body" (in the ground)? And why not, since we have got "curfew" out of _couvre feu_, "cover the fire?"

A. G.

Ecclesfield.

[E. V. has suggested a similar explanation of this term.]

"_Dieu et mon Droit_" (Vol. iii., p. 407.).--In Bishop Nicolson's _English Historical Library_, part iii. chap. i., under the section treating of _Charters_ appears the following paragraph:

"The same king (Edward III.), as founder of the most noble order
of Knights of the Garter, had his arms sometimes encircled with
their motto of 'Honi soit,' &c., that of 'Dieu et mon Droit'
having formerly been assumed by Richard the First, intimating that
the Kings of England hold their empire from God alone. But
_neither of those_ ever appeared on the Broad Seal, before the
days of Henry the Eighth."

FRANCISCUS.

_Defoe's House at Stoke Newington_ (Vol. iv., p. 256.).--This house is the one which was occupied by the late William Frend, M.A., of the Rock Life Office, and which now belongs to his widow. It is on the south side of Church Street, a little to the east of Lordship Lane or Road, and has about four acres of ground attached, bounded on the west by a narrow footway, once (if not still) called Cutthroat Lane. Or it may be identified thus: take the map of Stoke Newington in Robinson's history of that place, London, 1820, 8vo., and look directly below the first "e" in "Church Street." Among the papers by which the house is held is the copy of the enrolment of a surrender to the lord of manor, dated February 26, 1740, in which the house is described as "heretofore in the tenure or occupation of Daniel Defoe." The history just mentioned stated that he was living at Newington in 1709. There appears no reason to suppose that he built the house. Dr. Price lived for some years in it, as the domestic chaplain of a subsequent owner.

M.

_Study of Geometry in Lancashire_ (Vol. ii., p. 57.).--Your correspondent Mr. T. T. WILKINSON, in his interesting article on this subject, attributes the first rise of the study of geometry in Lancashire to the Oldham Mathematical Society. But he is not perhaps aware, that half a century before a Mathematical Society existed at Manchester. I have a thin 8vo., entitled--

"Mathematical Lectures; being the first and second that were read
to the Mathematical Society at Manchester. By the late ingenious
Mathematician John Jackson. '_Who can number the Sands of the Sea,
the Drops of Rain, and the Days of Eternity?_' Ecclus. i. 2. '_He
that telleth the Number of the Stars, and calleth them all by
their Names._' Psalm cxlvii. 4. Manchester, printed by Roger
Adams, in the Parsonage, and sold by William Clayton, Bookseller,
at the Conduit. 1719."

The book is dedicated to the "Virtuous and Religious Lady Bland." The Preface states that

"There having been lately set up in Manchester a Mathematical
Society, which was encouraged by many (and some Honorable)
subscribers, and the composing of the Lectures being undertaken by
the late ingenious Mathematician Mr. John Jackson, and he having
discharged himself well becoming his parts and character in the
reading of several extraordinary ones in Geometry, we thought it
would be great pity, as well as ingratitude, to let such worthy
performances expire with him."

Then follow the two Lectures, which terminate at p. 41. The first was read Aug. 12, 1718; the second, Aug. 19, 1718. The Manchester Mathematical Society would be one of the earliest in the kingdom. Perhaps the Oldham Society might be a branch of the Manchester.

JAMES CROSSLEY.

_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.