Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-09-08
NUMBER V.

MR. SPEcTAToR,--lt is a common sayinu tba
there Is nothing in name From this gennr.,
opinion am inclined to dissent not because
, LINK 'here Is any Intrinsic virtue i'm name nj
, 'ia' Il rose 10y any other name would not smell
40 SMce'' Out custom has associated names will
Pua,i"es o' thihgS so lndisSouby, that any new
appreciation vi Them cannot fail To leave upon our
minus e,'ler diSa9reeable or ludlcrous impress
} sion. Besides, there is a harmony ne,,y.ei ,L
sign and the thing signted, arising from the M.
lure OF things, which cannot be violated ,vj,bout
coniusioh never hear negro Girl called Rose
VI uoS ehus, without experiencing a certain
degree OF dissatisfaction nor is nv euuanimi,v
less disturbed when enter some humble dwell
my, and hear long catenation of classical names
applied TO dirty urchns around the hearth.
lhere Is no point in which good taste is more
frequently violated than the naming OF children
ana THIS Is the more 10 DO regretted because i, is
almost impossible to mend the matter The Puri
taIs committed some ludicrous errors in this way.
ana the uncouh scrlptural appella,iuns they some
umcs imposed, have contributed in no sphI decree
to the prcjudices entertained by many persons a.
galnst them as body. But | am not sure that
those VINO laugh at them are free from an equally
serious charge 1t Is not unusual to find whole
iamiles OF children who have derived their names
from the love-sick romances that once Gscina ted
their mothers and some ianciful ladies have even
gone SO far as To compound names ut random ont
vi the scraps they may have CLEANED from foreign
languages.
But would not be understood TO saw that the
'aues VI 'his country are more censurable than
their lords cannot but regard these as equally
guilty OF affectaton, in the titles they rive TO their
residences. rigid simplicity in this respect far
more becomes the American gentleman, than that
disgusting imitation of European habits which 81
much prevails. These little things are unimpor-
tant IN themselves, but serve To show the current
vi mems thoughts and the character of their taste
nave frequently amused myself with an in.
specuon OF the map oPihe United States. ON which
names appear scattered abroad in endless confusion
TIC demand Tor them seems 10 have far exceeded
the supply; and after learning had exhausted the
wealth OF ancient and modern tongues, the inrenu
Ivy OF man has been tasked To keep pace with the
progress OF emigration and settlement One Stale
bears name that was bestowed i'm honor of nur
r.hSilsh queen another owes lis title To some In
dEil tribe whilst third cOneSses the double ma
renlage OF quakerism and classical romance 4,
f:n@lishman would probably smile were he to
Slahce al the journal OF tourist who should note
oowh the names OF all the villages that Law i'm his
route, and he surprised at the cumpIacencv with
which he dimes at Homer, lodges in Buffalo. and
attends 4 court session at Jerusalem as thouuh he
were on pilgrimage TO SraIfJrd or Watering At
ChGllenham ~
AS an American, often regret this pecu,iaritv
winch marks the geography OF our country but
'"hh inc retention OF many Of the Indian names
more IMAM compenSates us for this dissatisfaction
he names OF country operating BY the law III
association, kindlc the enthusiasm OF the patriot
ana am glad Tor this reason that we have some
Pecui'ar ana Striking names that may excite feel
'hSS III our OosOIns which foreigner can eyDe-
rience' here Is majesty and melody in these
feiicS oi ioSt language that correspond well with
liie DJd and romantic features of the country
where they mad their origin; and it is impossibje
TO estimate the influence they may exert upon the
minds OF other nations They are mysterious. and
therefore inspire awe; they are poelica and there
lore kinde enthusiasm; and Perhaps no little Incl
dental respect may be hereafter shown To the in
habtanis OF the land whose mountains f,res,s and
rivers are made known to the world in the impos-
ing garb OF Indian nomenclature
The object of this paper was. however. no, to
enlarge upon such thoughts the above, but to
point out the rule of taste that OUGHT to Govern
people IN the selection OF names. hope the pre-
cedlng remarks may serve TO illustrate the truth
which was seeking to convey, that simplicity and
sui'aOleneSS ought always to be consulted There
are some names thatare always beautiful and becon
ing because they are simple and musical in sound
ana carry along with them none but pleasing asso
cations whilst Others, however sonorous TO the
ear. offend the taste either by disagreeable associ
atlons. or from the fact that they Indicate some
disgusting feature in the character of those who
bestowed them. If this were more generally nm
ders'ood, many persons might escape in future
time the rIdlcnle and disgust which odd or mis-
placed names are calculated to excite.
IOVINGTON