Not uncommon according to Dickens, who in his journalistic and court-reporting days would have had his finger much on the London pulse. Think of counsel, Sam Weller, the judge, and Old Weller:
...
"Ven you're a married man, Samivel, you'll understand a good many things as you don't understand now; but vether it's worth goin' through so much, to learn so little, as the charity-boy said ven he got to the end of the alphabet, is a matter o' taste."
...

"Samivell Veller."

"Do you spell it with a 'V' or a 'W'?" inquired the judge.
"That depends upon the taste and fancy of the speller, my Lord," replied Sam.

"Spell it with a wee, melud, spell it with a wee."

~M~