all possible use being made of the Queen's Colleges by Presbyterians, and opposed the establishment of a separate Presbyterian college, except for theology. In the Theological College endowed in Belfast by the Government, Dr. Cooke was appointed President, an office which he held until his death. In 1849 he was appointed the Dean of Residence for the Presbyterian students in Belfast. Already he had been appointed Almoner of the Regium Donum. At least three-fourths of the new Presbyterian churches in Ireland, besides many in England and Scotland, were opened by him; so that a considerable portion of his time was taken up in travelling. The death of a beloved daughter, in May 1863, was a blow from which he never recovered—"After my God, and her dear mother, she was all the world to me; and it is now to me, and will remain to me, a blank." In 1865 another testimonial was presented by his friends—a cheque for .£1,680 and an illuminated volume containing the names of the subscribers. His early vigour again appeared in 1867, when, on the 30th October, the old man attended and spoke at the great Hillsborough Protestant demonstration in opposition to the disestablishment of the Church, at which fully 30,000 persons were present. He was hailed with an outburst of applause from the vast assemblage, so enthusiastic and prolonged that it fairly unmanned him. On 5th May 1867, he bade farewell to his congregation. On 30th June 1868 Mrs. Cooke died, and he himself passed away quietly on the 13th of the following December, aged 80. A public funeral and the speedy erection of a fine statue testified the esteem in which he was held in Belfast. Hugh Miller described him late in life as a "tall and distinguished-looking man, touched, rather than stricken, with years. The profile is a very fine aquiline; the forehead is spacious; the cheek is denuded of whisker; and the chin is of square and massive mould. … The depth of stock and collar, and the coat sleeve reaching to the knuckle of the thumb gave him a somewhat American look." The Athenæum thus writes: "His oratory was powerful and effective; he had a clear mind, a memory unusually retentive, a ready wit, great powers of sarcasm, a store of anecdote, which he could draw upon at will, a vivid imagination, words of all kinds at his command, and a fine elocution. Voice, form, and manner, were striking, and contributed alike to impress an audience. He could easily carry away an ignorant or half-educated assembly, causing them to weep or laugh as he pleased. In many respects he was fitted to be a leader, and he did lead the orthodox Presbyterians of Ulster for a succession of years into the adoption of measures that seemed right in his eyes. He pursued certain plans with great energy and perseverance, till they were carried into action. The labours he underwent, the sermons he preached, the meetings he attended, the speeches he spoke, prove that he had a strong constitution and an iron will. Besides, he was seldom subject to fear, and could face an adverse assembly undaunted. He was a platform orator of a very superior type," The portrait prefixed to his Biography shows a face of wonderful power and beauty. 86* 233
Cooke, Thomas, a musician, born in Dublin in 1782. His precocious talents were cultivated by his father, and while quite young he was appointed musical director of a Dublin theatre. At the termination of this engagement he sang in the English operas, and afterwards, retiring from the stage, acted as director, composer, and leader at Drury Lane and Covent Garden. He was more distinguished for his prompt facility both in composition and performance, than for particular excellence in either. So great was his aptitude, that at a benefit in 1820, besides singing, he executed solos on nine different instruments. Successful as a teacher, he was also noted for his wit and brilliant parts as a companion. He died in London, 31st March 1848, aged about 66. Mr. Cooke married Miss Howells, a celebrated singer, by whom he had many children, one of whom, Grattan Cooke, has greatly distinguished himself as a vocalist. 39 250
Cooke, William, a miscellaneous writer and poet, was born in Cork, which city he left for London in 1766. He was introduced into literary society by Burke and Goldsmith. Besides biographies of Macklin and Foote, he wrote poetry; his best known piece, "Conversation," published in 1807, contains spirited and accurate descriptions of the members of the famous literary club of which Burke, Goldsmith, Johnson, and others were members. He died in London, 3rd April 1824. 7 16
Coote, Sir Charles, Bart., first landed in Ireland late in the 16th century, as a captain in Mountjoy's army. He was present at the siege of Kinsale, was appointed Provost-Marshal, and afterwards Vice-President of Connaught. In 1620 he was sworn on the Privy Council, and next year was created a baronet. He received large grants of land, principally in Connaught, out of which, at the breaking
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