Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-02-28

riably the occasion of their receiving nick
names, or what Is equivalent thereto, a contrac-
ton or curtailment Of their proper names so
that the fancyi or caprice Of their parents in
giving them names which little reflection
would have told them that nobody would ever
take the pains TO pronounce, is not only dis
appointed, but must bear the responsibility of
tempting or driving the world 10 distina ush
their offspring by offensive or OF least undesir-
able nicknames all of which might have been
prevented by bestowing on their children in
the first instance, modest, moderate, and eas-
ly spoken names.
1t is not unlrequently the case that children
are indebted directly TO the parents themselves
for their nicknames, or the contraction Of their
proper names, such as Jack, Tom, Sam, Bill,
Bob, Frank, etc. probably never occurred
10 these wise and considerate parents, that
when they are heard to call their own children
by such names, all feel at liberty to do the
same and furthermore ii probably never oc.
Cured 10 these long sighted parents, that in
indulging themselves in calling their children
by names which pass tolerably well during in
fancy and boyhood, they are indelliby stamp
ing juvenile and familiar applications upon
their manhood. Were parents careful TO adj
dress their children on al occasions by their
proper names, and to require all those under
their authority 10 do the same, their conpex-
ions and acquaintance would very generally
follow the example, and the futile attempts to
restore proper names when years of puberty
are attained would become unnecessary. The
importance Of adherng TO proper names in
addressing either children or grown persons is
duly estimated but by few. The habit Of cal
| ling children by nicknames actually invites
rude familiarity inintercoursc with them, which
- al.
whereas the practice Of calling them by their
proper names has as certainly a tendency TO
check coarse familiarity. There 10 something
Of respect and consideration in addressing
child by its proper name, which unconscious
ly strikes every one as being out oil joint with
coarse and improper familiarity. These re-
marks will apply with greater force 10 cases
where the parties have arrived at adult age
Who has not observed in cases Of either good
hunored or passionate rudeness, that nick
name, or contraction of the proper name OF
the person attacked, is almost invariably sub
stituted in place Of the proper name itself, even
where the assaiants arc in the general prac-
tice Of addressing the party by his proper
name. Ask lad or young man why he does
not address his associates by their proper
names, co. he will say, it is TO stiff and for
NAL to say William, and Benjamin, and Isaac,
sing playmates and associates is felt in small
degree to be formal and respectful, and this is
precisely The reason which more, perhaps, than
any other, enhances the importance of the
practice here advocated. All above the age
Of early boyhood, must have observed and felt
the universal tendency Of the intercourse d
mongst familiar acquaintance, dcgeneratlng
into rude, disrcspectful, and consequently dis
agreeable familiarity, which is the very bane
of social enjoyment amongst those, more es-
pecialiy in early life, who live on terms Of
what is called intimacy and any check upon
this tendency, which docs not necessarily OPP
erate as restraint upon free, easy, and a.
greeablo intercourse, amongst intimate associ-
ates, must be admitted TO possess high intrin-
sic value.
Now at your doors, Fathers and Mothers, oil
PAS and Mas, or Dads and Marms, or by
whatever other appellution you teach your lit
tie ones 10 distinguish yon, lies the root Of the
evils we have been bringing before your eyes
1t being contrary TO our nature, and at variance
with our established practice, TO nse harsh
words or say hard things on any occasion
much less when there is no occasion at all, we
shall therefore express exactly the tythe o
what we feel in relation 10 the matter in hand
by observing in conclusion, that the very ire
quent recurrence Of besiowing upon children
a plurality Of christian names and then distin
gushing them by the last instead Of the first
Of giving them dnplcatory names, or names o
which there already exist exact prototypes
of naming them after celebrated personaees
of giving them hard and twistical names, which
few can with salty venture TO pronounce a
length Of giving them ludicrous names, sucl
as will inevitably bring upon them the jokes
and gibes of their school mates; and, lastly o
contracting their proper names, or callingthen
by nicknames, lie an evidence Of such thought
lessness, inconsiderateness, weakness, vani
ty, capricious fancy, stupidity, etc. etc. on tn
part Of parents, to give rise to serious doubt
whether many have not assumed the paterna
Office some dozen or score Of wears too early.
SATIRICUS REFORM s. co.