Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-07-17
Significance of Names

The significance of names Is as va
riable as the clouds, depending on con-
ditioDs too delicate to be defined. Still,
names might be termed quality
of average association, which translates
them to the mind in not materially diff
ferent hues and forms. Nobody con-
siders Jerusha fascinating or Mabel
repulsive Sibyl suggests softness
and tineness, and Angelina mawkish
sentiment. Blood and breeding
seem to lie III Edith, and inele-
gance and rusticity i'll Priscilla
Mary, whom bards have made tune
ful in many tongues, has lost
such SAVIOR as she might have had from
excess of handling. We think of her
now in connection with almost any
thing else than grace and loneliness.
Kate is interesting, though she con-
veys certain impression Of wildness
approaching motherhood. Pauline is
lackadaisicaL pretentious and shallow.
Ruth is simple, genuine, winning, full
of modesty and merit, and sterling to
the core. Ada and Ida show gentle
ness without strength, and del
icacy rather than discern
ment. Alice is what circumstances
may make her-pretty and spoiled,
needing trial for development, adver-
sity for elevation. Amy is child al
ways, even after maternity and matur-
ity and nothing can render her other
wise. Stiffness, self consciousness, and
angularity emanate from Arabella and
Augusta should be consequential and
Inflated without desert. A certain hot
house air might surround Blanche and
Bertha, and they should be kept there
ii IL be desirable to preserve their
freshness and their fragrance
Clara, not to belle herself, should be
pure, atfectionate and free, CARRYING
with her the form and daintiness of
distinction. Eliza is plain, but pro-
found, and Ella a slender echo of what
she initiates. When the average man
seeks for wife, despising romance and
discarding the ideal, he should sue to
Esther, who will perform all she prom
isea, becoming the most consclen-
tious of housekeepers, the most
devoted slave of the nursery
thorough scatterbra1n is Fan
ny, whom trouble spares and adver-
sity does not touch. Helen is preco-
clOus at sixteen, a coquette till five
and-twenty, and an ambitious and
match making mamma, while she alb
sents herself from heaven to discharge
her duty to society Isabellashouldb be
tail and dignitied and clever, laughin g
at what she most sincerely believes,
and wOunding with Parthian arrows
her weli-guarded heart Julia has q
tendency to be III love with herself, I'M
disturbed by rivals. She sees in her
mirror the beauties others fail to dis
cover, and her much proclaim
ed righteousness is but a
phase of her conceit Jane is likely to
suffer from lack of appreciation, for she
wears her Jewels out of sight, and is
content to be misunderstood, when
understanding demands any betrayal
OF herself. In sentimental woes Leono-
ra is ever bound Is most happy when
most distressed. Louise has d spice
of affection, but is engaging at first
and enchanting at last to those she
admits TO the sanctuary of her spmpa-
thy. The image Of Madeleine is shown
III the strictest rnventionality She
Is we'll bred autOmatum dresses
admirably, talks faultlessly, acts be-
comingly; is, i'll word, reflection of
her surroundings because she has not
sufficient force to vary from her pat
tern.
Maud affects Tennyson and tears,
muslin of the whitest and misery OF the
blacklist sort She is a distillation of
shipper, Stiffness, and sentimentalism.
Miriam, Penelope, Cordelia and Rachel
need to he stately, calm and seIf-sus-
tained-admired by many, esteemed
by all, and beloved by one. Phoebe
and Phillis are not urbane in mind
OF manners. They are prominent
figures in a landscape filled
with farms and farm houses.
and commend themselves warmly
to the swain credulous enough to be-
lieve that God the first garden made
and the first city Cain. The heart of
gallantry does not throb at mention of
Susannah, who rises to the fancy with
milk and water eyes, unshapely mouth
and an lll-fitting gown; but it beats
wildly to the sweet syilables Of Viola s
name, aud awaits with eager expectancy
the regal presence Of Henobia, too lofty
to be lightly loved.-Ju1jt8 Henri
BTOlU31e.