Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-04-27
NAMING THE BABY.
An Important Event In Every Family
Making the Selection.


Since the day IN which the mother Of
the race cried over the head of her lit
tie boy: Call his name Seth" naming
the baby has been the prerogative OF
her daughters. Who does not sympa-
thize with poor Katy, the heroine Of
"Stepping Heavenward, as she sighed:
81 expected to call the baby Raymond,
but it seems that there has been a Jo-
than in the family ever since the mem
DRY of man?" It does seem hard that
relatives should insist upon a young
mothers handing down the heirloom of
an ugly name. Yet it is quite as we'll
not to offend the powers that be, es-
pecially if the little ones financial in
terests will suffer thereby. The graft
tude of the husband when family GUS
toms are kept up rather than derided is
of itself a sufficient reward for that
sacrifice.
The next snare lying in wait for the
mother might be called extraordinary
com charlottesville desire to atone in
the middle name for the shortcomings
of the first. Miss Woolsen gives us an
illustration of this in the case of Miss
Macks. whose name was Ethelinda
Faith. Mrs. Macks having thus COM
bined euphony and filial respect-'the
first title being her tribute to aesthetics,
the second her tribute to the memory of
her mother"
In choosing the Christian name it is
well to consider the surname, its length,
significance and associations. The first
day at school has been made more try
ing than need be because thoughtless
parents have increased the conspicu-
business Of a peculiar and uncommon
name by adding it to some unusual
title, sure to be twisted into an annoy
ing nickname.
The pOetica1 nomenclature of litera-
ture and the prose Of college catalogues
and visiting cards do not harmonic.
For this reason, if for no other, the Gus
tom of bestowing upon children the ro-
mantle titles of the heroes and heroines
of fiction is to be dsplored. "Uncls
Toms Cabin" has stood sponsor for too
many Evas and st. Clares.
Long ago the question was asked:
whats in name?" We answer, rev.
elatiou of ancestry and suggestion of
individuality. Looking over the records
in the family Bible, one can discover if
the tendency of the race has been re-
1igious, political Or clannish, and what
public characters have been it's ideals.
The good sense or the folly of it's par
ents is exhibited in the Christian lanes
Of their children.
Dickens often speaks of the effect
hir1ca1f of ho % y -
ciates. We expect Solomon to know
something, Hercules to be strong, and
are disappointed if a Lily is not fair.
For this reason it is quite as well to
avoid names that call for certain har-
mony of temperament, physique and
career.
Plain manly and womanly names that
make no pretensious are always pleas
ant to hear and speak 1t Is decidedly
better taste to choose English in prefer
ence to foreign titles, and no matter
how charming the president or his wife
may be, to shun notoriety In naming
the baby.-Harper's Bazaar.
When a young man has won the
hand and heart of rich and lovely
girl, everybody joins in calling him a
lucky dog, except, possibly, disap-
pointed rival, who is rather inclined to
think of him as conceited puppy in
stead.-Somerville Journal
-Fangle Ito Crinkle, Yalevard. '93) -
by the way, saw man from your
college at summer resort. He was
carrying everything before him."
Crinkle (proudly)-'Yes, sir. That is
distinguishing characteristic of our men.
What was he doing?" Fangle-"Acting
as waiter in the diningroom. "-Har-
per's Bazaar.
-'I'm getting Disguised with every
thing and every bodyP' Exclaimed Brown,
peevishly. wherever I go there is
fraud ST can't say that your doyour-
self an injustice" remarked Fogg; "but
there is no need of your being so In
genuous The utterance of self-evi-
dent truth is only waste of Words my
boy, only waste of words"