The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-06-09
ORIGIN OF NAMES, PHRASES, AND
CUSTOMS,

Barriers PoIe.-It was an old supersti-
ton that Rome was once delivered from the
plague by the god Esculapius, who, it was
supposed, came there in the form of a SER
pcnt, and hid himself among the reeds in an
island Of the Tiber. Ever after that, Escu-
lapius was represented with a st If, -reuud
which serpent was wreathcd; and his
other hand rested on the head of a serpent.
They were particularly sacred to him, not
only as ancient physicians used them in their
prescriptions, but because they were consid-
cred embems of that prudence, and foresight
which are SO necessary in the profession OF
medicine. in former times, surgeons were
likewise BARRIERS; and when man display
ed staff with twisted snake at his door, IT
was a to,:cn that he cured diseases, as well
as shaved boards. BARRIERS are no longer
physicians, but the old sign OF Esculapius IS
still continued.
Duelliug.-In ancient times, if a man
thought himself injured by another, and
carried his complaints into court, instead of
having his wrongs investigated by judge or
jury, he was called upon to meet his enemy
with lance and spear; and it was supposed
that he, who was victorious, was declared
innocent by the voice of heaven. This RI
diculous custom, by which justice was SO of
ten overcome by strength and skill, or elu-
England as late as the sixteenth century.
We laugh at the idea of settling cases of
conscience by the sword but military wrongs
are, to this day, decided by personal COM
bat, under the names of duels.
Days The Week.--'The Sun, Moon, Tu-
isco, Wooden, Thor, Friga, and Scatter were
Saxon gods,--to each of whom one day in
the week was consecrated. Sln'ss day,
Moons day, Tuisco's day. Woden's day,
Thor's day, Frga's day, and Scatter day.
Hence the names ofSunday, Monday, Tues
day, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and
Saturday.
WasaachuSrtts.-The land in this state
was mostly purchased of Masasoit, the Chief
OF the Mount Haup Indians; and the name
was probably taken from his, and gradually
changed to Mtsoaohssetts.
| Fermont.- From two French words signi-
| flying Green Mountains.
Connecticut.- The name of this state is
probably derived from Cannonicus, an Indi-
an Sachem, who owned lands on the Connec-
ticut.
I Pennsplvunie.-This word means the
! Woods or Forests IF Penn.
/ Maruiand.-So called in honor Of the
Eoglish queen Marx.
GaroiRa.-So called in honor of the Eng
lislIgueen, Caroline. :
'i-. GcssSia.-So called i'll honor of George III.
king ofdsngland. .srsN
LotSiana.--lt first belonged to the French,
who named it in memory ofther King Lou
is.
Boston-Mr. Cotton, the frss minister in
Boston, New England, came from Boston in
old England; and the town was named in
memory OF his native place.
Ph0adethhu.--From two Greek words.
meaning brotherhood of Love. It was
founded by William Penn, the celebrated
Quaker who gave it that name toiindicate
J tie harmony and kindness of the Qdakcr So
ciety.
| Eakttmore, takes it's name from its foun-
der, George Calvert, Lord Baltimore.
faakees.-When the New-E Etgland Ind;-
ans first tried to speak the word English
they called it Yengees. The white inhabi-
tants the northern states were soon known
to the ncghbouring tribes by this appeila-
ton: and to this day we are distinguished
| from our southern and western brethern by
the title of Yankees.