Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-06-26
A CHAPTER ON NAMEs-THE SMITHS

Names are curious things, and by the Jews
we're given to infants on the eighth day-the Ro'
mans on the ninth-and the Greeks on tho tenth.
In all nations the names of men were significant,
and not simply sounds for the sake of distinction,
and generally marked the good wishes of the
parents. A happy name seemed to indicate pros.
perity in life-hence Victor, Castor, Probus, FduS.
tus, &c. The Fausta Nomina, or lucky names,
were always first enrolled in the Roman musters,
and first called to serve at the sacrifices.
Plato recommends fortunate names, and Pythag'
oras even taught that mems actions and successes
were according to these distinctions.
Tho Romans, from the beginning, had two
names, and afterwards three, the better to distin-
guish themselves. In ancient times slaves had no
names but what they borrowed from their masters
or the countries of their origin. Adopted citizens
assumed the names of their benefactors, reta lining
also those of their own family. NJ. Junius Bru-
tus, adopted by Q. Servillius Cepio Agola, was
called Q, Servilius Cepio Agola B,utus.
Heathcns upon their embracing Christianity, re-
ceive new names, as Saul, the Jew. was called
Paul and the Jews we're in the habit of being
called by a Jewish name among their own people,
and by another with the Geutiles. For instance,
we find Thomas called Dydamus, and Tabitha,
Dorcas. Some think this is the reason why Saul
assumed the Roman name of Paul.
Who has not acquaintances among the Smiths,
n most extraordinary name? Some time ago
there were 1me very learned discussions going
on concerning the origin anu WOnuerlul extension
Of this race. Studious explorers among deriva.
tives and nominal roots found in the nam of John
smith n world Of mystery. Some Philologist in
Providence wrote thirty columns to enligbten the
public on the subject, and threw down his pen
because it was exhaustless. Some profess to have
discovered that the great family of the Smith are
the veritable descendants in a direct line from
Shem, Noah's son, the father of the Shemitish
tribe, or Shem-hence the decimation-Shem-
Shemit-Shmit-Smith.
Another learned scholar in Philadelphia, con,
tends for the universally of John Smiths name
not only iE our own. but among all lands. Com
mencing with the Hebrews, he says they had nc
Christian names, and consequently no JOhns-in
Hebrew the name stood simply Shemr Shemn. In
other nations, however, the John Smith is found
full, one and undivided. Let us trace it:
Latin-Jehanne Smithius.
I~talian-Giovanni Smith.
Spanish-Juan Smithas.
D~utch-Eans Schmidt.
F~rench-Jean Smeets.
Greek--Ion Skmitton.
Russian-Ionloff Schmittowski.
Pclish-Ivan Schmittiweiski.
Chinese--Tohn Shimmit.
Icelandic--Tahne Smittson.
Welch--JiOhn Scmidd.
Tuscarcra--Ton,Ta Smittla.
Mexican-Jonti F'Smitlx.
To prove the antiquity of the name, the sam,
sardn observes, that in the temple of Osiris
Egypt, was found the name Of "Pharoah Smith
osis, being the 9th. in the 18th. dynasty Of tn,
Theban kings. lie was tho founder of the cele
brated temples of Smithopolis Magma"
We congratulate the respectable Smiths on thes
learned and profound researches, which bid fai
to explode the opinions that the great family o
Smiths were the descendants Of horse shoers, an
vii and hammer men. To them these researche
must be deeply delightful. My ~neighbor of thi
name, who, not long since, consulted me about tn
t probability of his heirship to a princely estate j
, the English Court of Chancery, can now easily et
tablish the antiquity of his family. A New Yor
E clairvoyant told him to 60 ahead in its prosecution
as he was the residuary legatee.
G. p. D.
9 The GLOVE, Mass.