Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-11-05
VOL. XIX.


ThE GREAT TROUBLE OF NAMING BABY IN
PARIS.
Paris .Cofrespordeace oc the London Telegraph. l..
| have just heard the experience of an
Lngiishman who tried to get his baby regis
tered in Paris. This gentleman, dwelling
at Montrogue, had a daughter born to him
amId the sleet and snow Of early spring. He
had heard how strict is French law on all
! points OF registration, and within the three
| days required he went TO fulfil his duty at
the Mare " Where, then. Is the child ?''
asked stern iunctionary. The parent ex-
planned that, whatever be the hardihood of
baby French girls, English mothers COM
monty objected to send their offspring out
at three days old in February. The clerk
was but half satisfied, and said 50. The
case seemed to him ioHche. Bat without
pursuing that point further at present, he
begged to know how the father meant TO
call his child
The father had, indeed, dwelt upon this
most important question, 50 had the mother
But they had reached no conclusion. Was
IL absolutely needtul, the Euglishman asked.
to give name in registration? g" luds-
penS4ble' the clerk replied, even more
sternIy. Then, said our countryman,
quite desperate. - put her down Mary Wini-
ired Trace, Write that, exclaimed the
clerk. 1t was written. .. Mary he oh
served ' Is evidently an ignorant mis-
spelling Tor Marie. and altered the word
accordingly. " Grace wants ~ accent
elrcumilex hump not usual, but it may
pass. Niniired is a fantastic name. which
OF course We cannot allow. y female child
called Marie Gace-when born and how ?'
Bnt the Engishman objected to have Wiuj- !
fred thus cut ont, and in dudgeon they re-
lerred him 10 the urocurcur lie Ia renuh- |
lique.
To that official he went. and was received |
politely. " Winifrcd 1t i probably the !
name oi some distinguished general? No? |
\ SAINT of course it Is not, since Won have |
NO saints in England. \ parsonage of his
tory. perhaps No? Wen, at least 4 .
Of Walter Scott. or some other /
writer Of moral fiction - Oar compa.riot /
could not think OF one WInitrcd in history
or romance to make precedent for his little
daughter. Then NJ. le Procureur de IA Re
pnbAque changed his tune. He began %
think. with the Marie Of Montrouge, that
has case was ioUr1s " Surely" said he,
you can show some Of your family who have
borne this strange name?' Ne, tie per-
picked father could not even do that. " Then,
sir, can take no such responsibility as 20
give permission. 1t may be an abuse of
confidence. am not ignorant how ecccr-
tric Is your English law. Without authoI.-
zation Of the embassy. I cannot interfere
with the excellent Marie Of Montrouge"
The parents British blood was now up.
" inilrcd should his baby be called, aud
nothing else. lie went to the embassy. and
they referred him to a smiling consul. Con-
sal heard his tale, shrugged his shoulders,
and wrote 4 Ine-fye francs and half 10
pay Parent refused to produce the money.
anu went of in high dudgeon. Mounting
The Rue de la Pax he me; a friend and told
his troubles. Why. Winifred was q
,aint ' exclaimed tile counselor. There
md then they found book dealing with
'Uch matters looked up the fact, and made
, note Of it. The Marie of Montrouga was
-ilen1ei By an almanac, but his clerk rrlwi-
Il audibiy in writing Wiaifred. A. to
Marie and Grace, he had his own French
way there, and the young lady viii bear
.ircumlex to the end Of her days