The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-24
From the Boston EUening Transcript.
NAMES.

1t is curious sometimes to notice the peculiar names
of persons WITH and to their etymology.
Every body knows, we suppose, the origin OF the
name of the old Postmaster General. Return Jona-
than Megs whose father having been once rejected
in an offer of marriage by her who was subsequently
his wife, he consequently babe her farewell, but be-
fore he of sight, she repented of her refusal
and calling TO him, said return, Jonathan, the bargain
was concluded and the first born was named Return
Jonathan who subsequently held for many years, the
responsible office of Postmaster General of the Uni
ted States Many names, it is said originated from
some accidental circumstances, having been given to
foundings or to children deprived in early life Of
their father, and adopted by some kind friend. For
instance Johnson reported to have been given to
child whose fathers joint Johns SOM Samp-
sno, from Sans son, williamson Williams son jack
son, Jacks son; Thomson, Toms son; Wilson,
Wills son; Harrison, Harry's son Richardson,
Richards son ; Robertson, Roberts son, &c. But
the oldest and most natural names seem TO be those
derived from the complexion nature; as Brown,
White Long Shot, Heavesdes, and others. Many
are taken from trades and empoyments, as Walker,
Smith, Wright, Taylor, Cook, Gardner. Others
come from the place of birth, West North, South.
etabes, as Swan, Dove, Herring Bacon Bullock,
Ash, Beach, Rose, Bloom Scales, Hail. Chambers,
Kitchen others from officers or digntares, as King,
Lord, Noble, Knight, Steward, Clark, Major.
Brady, in his critica analytical dissertation on the
names of PERSONS" thinks that sirnames were intro
ror to armoria bearings; as also to Christian names
Yet some forms of appellaton must have preceded
even the introduction of Christianity though such
names were not probably hereditary. He appears
surprised to find SO many colors, as White, Green
Yellow and not one Red, but probably this name has
been expanded into Reid and Read.
The following humorous paragraph is characteris-
tic of Mr. B.'s manner:
We have here Mr.. Light whose weight is only
one stone less than that of the memorable Lambert
hn 10 fho for md
lamb in the universe, Mr. Plot who never thought
in his life One Of the fairest ladies in the world is
Mrs. Blackmore and of the latest men MIR. Lean:
Mr. Wiseman is, without exception, the greatest fool
in the neghborhood in which he resides, and Price is
VIGOROUSLY the name of man of no price or value
whatever.
This populous city has been known to afford very
honest Parson He'll and Mr.. Death is very ingeni-
Gus apothecary and the polite world cannot soon
have forgotten Mr. Handy who knotted all the frnges
Of his own rufs.' Laws is perhaps almost the only
man in the world who does not know that there are
any laws in it. We never yet knew Mr.. Short who
was much under six feet in height and the friends
Of the family swear that Mr.. Goodchild broke the
hearts of his father and mother and drove another of
his relatives to desperation, by his wicked and
undutiful behavior, while Mr.. Thoroughbred turned
out complete rogue and vagabond at fifteen years of
age and transported at the expense of the gov
eminent at five and twenty. Mr.. Gotobed is never
happy when he can sit up all night, smoking and
drinking. Mr. Hogg is SO particularly clearly and
neat in his person as to elicit the admiration of all his
acquaintance. Mr. Armstrong has scarcely suffi-
cient physical power in either of his arms to dance
his own baby for five minutes. By the way, we once
knew young gentleman by the name of Armstrong,
twin brother, standing six feet two in his stock
ings, who possessed the strongest of any man we
ever saw, excepting the Belgian and American gi-
ants. He is now, we believe, resident of Chicago.
Illinois.
Mr.. Playfair is a notorious sha er. Mrs Small is
reported to be the lustiest woman in the three king
doms. And the "Smalls" are probably all "whop-
pers' of their ages The only Halfpenny the world
Many years have not elapsed since Horace drew beer
at an alehouse in Mapping. Mrs. Fury is perhaps
the quetest woman in Europe; Mrs. Pirate, as is
well known, has always been deaf and dumb; Mr..
Nightingale has worse voice than raven Mr..
Lghtoot has lost Of his legs and got the govt in
the other; and poor Miss Ogle was born stone
blindn