The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-13

a scratch be demurrabe. The learned Sergeant
Omean to say that IN, ;" by ITSELF meant nothing,
though in the case il meant something, which ought
to have been explained by the statute. Suppose
person of the name of John Robins: the court
would surely hold declaration bad which described
him by the word John and figures Of the redbreast !
So the court would hold the declaration bad because
there was sign put for ofthedetendants' names.
The letter II, indeed, by the custom OF London,
and some other places, was 40 sound al a-(laugh-
ter)-though elsewhere it often protruded itself
all occasions. Renewed laughter.) Justice Maule
spoke of policeman who, as witness, described
himself as belonging to the hen" division; when,
at future stage of the cause, IT was found that the
division was not designated by the name of the
bird, but the alphabetical letter "N." The learned
Sergeant said il might he contendedth the person
chrlstened in the manner the bill was signed,
they have often heard of absurd Christian names
He had heard of children being christened Sir
Francis Burdett." (Laughter.) Mr.. Justice Maule
referred to q learned argument, where It was con-
tended that the Christian and not the surname was
the real name; for instance, in a case of John Stiles
John was the real name, and Stiles was added
because the ancestor loved new ones. (Laughter)
A long conversation then ensued between the
learned sergeant and the justice as to the effect of
novels and consonants, and witnesses were adduced
from reputed authors of persons being called "Mon-
sieur DO" and "Lord NJ" and "Mr. H." Mr.
}. Robinson, on the part OF the plalntH argued that
an - in the name of John Knott, was not an ini-
tal letter; he cited an instance of bank director,
who was christened Edmund R. Robinson" and
any one might use such names. Mr.. Justice Maule
said the practice of the circles with which he was
acquainted was TO give the name verbally. There
was, however, a gentleman, the sheriff Of one OF
the counties went through on circuit, Mr.. John
Wanley Sawbridge Erie Drax, whose name was
very probably handed in. Laughter.) Mr.. Robin
son: There are many Scotch and French names,
such as M'Donald, M'Taggart, d Harcourt, D. Hor-
sey-how such names TO be set out In the plead
ingsi Suppose, again, mans name were the name
Of river, as X; Mr. Justice Maue: But that is
not spet so; il is idem per idem x for ex. Beer,
believe, is sometimes called x, but not water.
(Laughter.) Mr.. Robinson: There are some of
our names which are precisely those Of letters,
Gee, Jay, Kay, &c. Mr.. Justice Maue: But here
1t Is not sonans, only consonans, and cannot be
sounded without other letters. Mr.. Robinson
Their lordships should remember the existence Of
publication called the Foaetic .Nit=, and unless
they meant to give heavy blow and great dis
couragement' 10 that rising science he hoped they
would not decide against his client (Laughter.)
But he had seriously to submit that, by demurring
TO this declaration, the defendant admitted, accord
ing to legal principles, that his was that which
was stated in the declaration. After some further
legal niceties had been expounded by the opposing
counsel the Lord Chief Justice decided that the
consonant letter expressed initial only and gave
judgment for the Acknowledgment paper