The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-18
OLD-FASHIONED NAMES.
How Some of Them Have Always
Been Used in Families.


From the New York Tribune.
There is the same peculiar quality to
names that there is to songs-an indefin-
able dividing line which places the stigma
Of Commences on some, while Others
are proof against branding, no matter how
universal, how great their popularity be-
comes. Mary is one of the oldest names
in use to-day. Women of the upper classes
and lower classes alike christen their in
fants with the Virgins name. and no
usage can ever take away its dignity and
sweetness. Marie is the French version
of The name, and those endowed look for
ward to Aug. 15 the FESTIVAL of the As
sumption, the fete day, when all Maries
are, or should be, bombarded with bou-
quets and offerings in honor of their pa
tron saint There is no name favored
more throughout France than the name of
Marie. 1t is borne by the peasants and
by the young women of the house of Or
leans one of The Maries being the Princess
Waldemar of Denmark
In some of the provinces of France al
most every woman is christened Marie,
with an after name, such as Marie Jeanne,
which, AngliciZed, is the good old-fash-
ioned Mary Jane; Marie Therese, Marie
Antoinette, and so on. The phenomenal
Bsshkirtseff was named Marie. Many Of
tie ancient houses of both France and
England value the inheritance of MARES
with their heirlooms and lands. The
N6ailles, Boisgelius, d'AUdignes, Laroche-
jaqueleins, Mailles and Fitz-Jameses. all
include one or more Maries in each gener-
alton. Even men in France bear the pre-
nom of Marie, which figures in legal doc
uments, though seldom, if ever, used in
speaking.
Sophie is another name which usage can
not harm. The Comtesse Sophie de Beau
lincourt and Sophie Cruvelh. a great
artist, both bear the appellation Mile
Sophie Croixette, said to be the only wo-
man who ever got the best of Bernhardt
in repartee, has stamped the name with
fame. Sophie signifies wisdom"
Suzanne is a venerable name that has
spasms of fashion. Just now it is often
on the priests lips at baptismal services.
Many disappointed maiden. when it has
dawned upon her that Suzanne she is for
life, has taken the liberty of asserting by
the way of her own pen TO be before all the
world Suzette. Suzon or even Susie. Mile
Suzanne Reichenberg is one of the most
feted bellies of Paris, and history hath it
her godmother, Suzanne Brohan, used to
receive poems on Aug II.
Mile. Claire Canrobet was doubly feted,
for it was her wedding day. At the begin
ming of the century Clary was much the
rage. Clarisse and Clara are still in vogue
to-day. Clarion was the name of a cele-
brated tragedenne, which was derived
from Glare; but ii isn't likely st. Claire
would have recognized 1t.
Helene, of Greek origin. has grown into
many forms, and, while not found so often
among the lower classes, 1t Is quite COM
mon among the rest. There were several
European princesses named Helene, and
the Duchess of Orleans gave Il a place In
history.
From Helene comes Helena, which is
particularly favored among the Jews The
name is common in Russia and Poland
The Countesses Hatzfeldt and de Lesseps
are Helenes.
Jeanne (Jane) is an old name; the most
famous was Jeanne dare. The Princess
de Sagan and the Countess de Beaumont
are both Jeannes. Some keep Aug. 26 as
the fete of Jeanne, while others consider
st Jean (St. john their patron saint,
which fete day comes two months earlier
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