Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-07
What's I'm n Na,nel
NAME!
A GOOD DEAL, 1T APPEARS, WHEN IT Is NOT PRO
ERLY BESTOWED.

GOOD DEAL, 1T APPEARS, WHEN IT Is NOT PROP
ERLY BESTOWED.
From All the Year Round.
\ name IL certainly not the least important fac.
tor In a mans career. How much more difficult
would IL be for Muggins or a Finnigan to gain ac-
ceptance as poet, however great his talent tnan
for Tennyson or a Milton! No matter Aow great
mans energy, talent or courage may be- an
odd or ridiculous name Will be clog to him
through life, and add immensely to his DIM
culties In making his way upward. OF what
avail a mans aristOcratic appearance correct
dress, coat OF the most fashionable cut and salts
factory balance at the bank, II his visiting card
condemns him TO pity or TO ridicule? What a
disagreeable name to know that she NAV have an
opportunity or changing 1t for a better In way az
once gratifying TO her pride and affections. This
privilege OF the ladies' has been assumed py the
popes, who change theft names when they are
chosen as successors 10 ST. Peter. The introducer
OF this papal custom, Sergius III, may well be
excused for the innovation, seeing that his own
name signifies hogs mouth. Melanct hon was NOT
above this weakness, and he adopted the Greek
Earth" and the learned Erasmus made Similar
transformation OF his Dutch name Gerard
IN the time OF Louis NV distinguished writer
who was "A member OF the academy, 4 councillor
OF state and friend OF Richelieu, had the misor-
tune TO bear the name OF Gueux (Beggar. Can we
wonder at his adopting the name or his patrimo-
NAL estate and calling himself Balzac? Many 9th
er instances might be quoted OF men of talent and
eminence being dissatisfied with the names thar
were borne by their ancestors.
some people, In their anxiety to compensate
their children for the vulgar or ridiculous family
names which they have Inherited, couple with
them what they consider arfstOcratic or euphoni-
Gus Christian names. Hence, we nave such com
bnatiOns as Gladys Beatrice Hggs, Constance
Aurelia smith, and Victor Augustus Jones One
can sympatnZe with the fact that many pleasing
hours OF consultation and discussion are given 70
the young mother and her husband In deciding
what name Will sound most melliiiuousiy and as
sort most ntngly with the sterling and attractive
qualities which are so perceptbiy packed I'D In
that little cher1lb-their frst born.
The ancients had many superstitions as to
names ana even elevated the study TO "A science
under the title OF Onomantia.
When the Romans raised army or numbered
the citizens, they were always careful that the
inst name taken should he auspicioUS one
More than one emperor owed his elevation simply
10 his maine, and Caesar, in hts expedition TO
Africa, gave "A command 10 obscure ScipiO because
the people believed that the Scipios were nvincitle
In Africa.
similar Influences weighed with the French en-.
yoyS who went TO negotiate a marriage between
one OF the spanish princeSseS and Louis Will
They rejected UrIaca, the elder and more beauti-
ful princess, who was intended Tor their royal
master, and preferred her sister because her
name, Blanche, had more musical sound
A Spanish ambassador 10 the court OF Elizabeth
considered his dignity sighted when the queen
appointed wealthy citizen 10 receive him because
his host bore the very short name OF John Cuts
He soop found, however. that II cuts had short
name he had long purse and right royal way
OF dipping into IL for the sake OF UNFOLDING the
English name Tor hospitality.