Drayton Beauchamp. 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. C_oo_per. 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 "_gorse_berry," 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.