birds, beasts, and fishes, as Bird, Woodcock, Pigeon, Cocks, Henn, Peacock, Parrot, Finch, Crane, Dawes, Swan, Nightingale, Swallow, Sparrow, Crow; Bear, Lyon, Bull, Ram, Roebuck, Hart, Badger, Fox, Hogg, Pigg, Mole, Wolfe, Lamb, Hare, Beaver; Fish, Salmon, Haddock, Dace, Turtle, &c. Now it occurs to me that these names would be originally conferred on persons (even as the Red Indians at the present time do) from some apparent resemblance in their physical qualities or temperament to one or other of these animals. Hence, we may say, the rapacious, cruel character of the first wolfe, founder of the race-the cunning of his contemporary fox-the meekness of the lamb-the majesty and courage of the lion. But time, which wears away all distinctions, wears away the traces of the personal characteristics, and I who, not long since, had pointed out to me a tall gentleman as the great Sparrow the ironmaster, could scarce forbear to smile at the strange incongruity between the man and his name; nor help being carried in thought to the Indian villages beyond the great prairies, where the Snakes and Crows and Blackfeet, with their brethren, of equally euphonious titles, dwell in their smoky wigwams.

The vegetable kingdom has its representatives in Messrs. Oak, Ash, Hawthorn, Birch, Beech, Crabtree, Wood, Blackwood, Greenwood, Bush, Fern, Moss, Bud, Flower, Rose, Bryers, Vine, Reed, Rush, Oats, Barley, Alder, Almond, &c. The hypothesis which most satisfactorily explains the tree names, is the supposition that the first owners dwelt near trees of the kind, and were thus distinguished. But how about such names as Rose and Flowers. Now-a-days, one may perhaps meet with roses, unpossessed of the dignity and grace of the queenly flower, and in nowise resembling it, save in thorniness of temper, or the radiant glow of ale-illumined visage.

King, Prince, Duke, Earl, Lord, Noble, Baron, Knight, Burgess, Freeman, are exemplifications of another class of names derived from the dignities or office of the first holder.

Another extraordinary group includes Arm, Foote, Legg, Kneebone, Shinn, Head, Toase, Corns, Hairs, Tongue, Tooth, Chinn, Snout, Beard, Blood, Skin, Nail, Body, and Soul. I would suggest that these names arose from some extraordinary feature in each individual case, of one or other of the limbs referred to.

Again I would repeat that every name mentioned in this article is a real and not fictitious name.

Diminutives occupy no mean place. The Saxon word kind (child), used as an affix to such names as Jane, Walter, William, Simeon, Peter, Thomas, Adam, or rather their familiar abbreviations, Wat., Will., Sim., Pe., Tom., Ad., furnishes us with the names Jenkins, Watkins, Wilkins, Simkins, Perkins, Tomkins, Adkins, or Atkins. This process goes further, for the offspring of these latter would acquire the surnames-Jenkinson, Tomkinson, Wilkinson, &c.

Several other groups of names are worthy of mention, but the limits of this article (already curtailed) do not permit attempts at explanation. There are-points of the compass: North, South, East, and West-domestic weapons: Needle, Pinn, Bodkin (Q.C.), and Cotton-articles of apparel: Button, Capp, Boots, Coates, Shirt, and Ragg-articles of food: Bacon, Veal, Pickles, Rice, Butter, Food, Salt, Beer, Currants, Raisin, Nutt, Orange, Jelly, Mustard, Mutton, Coffee. Strange-sounding names are Bebb, Jebb,

Hebb, Webb, and Tebb; Budd, Cudd, Hudd, Judd, Mudd, Nudd, and Rudd; Begg, Tegg, Egg, Legg, Pegg, and Wegg; Baines, Daines, Haines, and Raynes. All these are genuine and not fictitious names, and instances might be multiplied. Other curious names are shown in titles of firms; as, Green Brothers, Gray Brothers, Meek Brothers, Bucket Brothers, and Fullalove Brothers: in single names; as, Stabb, Pierce, Wrench, Madlaugh, Bliss, Makepeace, Kiss, Potts, Kettles, Life, Death, Light, Darke, Moonlight, Farthing, Halfpenny, Penny, Rainbow, Thunder, Gladstone (or Merrypebbles, as Punch has it), Coke, Slack, Cole, Tortoiseshell, Drinkwater, &c., &c. Readers of Macaulay will call to mind how the Puritans conferred upon their children names ranging through all the Christian Graces (Faith, Prudence, Mercy, &c.), and sometimes embracing a whole text of Scripture. Many foreign names might be cited as illustrating previous classifications, and presenting as startling titles as any named; but they must be passed over. Names are sometimes curiously associated; thus, I have met with a Butcher, of Sheep Street; a Waters, of Fountain Street; Phillpot (Fill-pot) and Son, Tea merchants; and in the Bankrupt list, one day, it was announced that John Fell, Over Darwen (in Lancashire), and his solicitor (the right man in the right place) was Pickup. Ensign W. Malthouse, too, was so inconsistent as to inculcate upon an assembly of rifle volunteers the principle of total abstinence. There is sometimes a very incongruous jumble of meanings in names. Take one instance: Miss Theodosia Trotter: Trotter, one who trots, is a plain and vulgar name enough to be associated with the beautiful Greek name Theodosia, an offering to God. Just as bad would be Grace Pickles or Beatrice Jobber.

A rhymer has neatly expressed some of these contradictions of names, as follows.

Mr. Swift hobbles onward, no mortal knows how

He moves as though cords had entwined him.

Mr. Metcalfe ran off upon meeting a cow,

With pale Mr. Turnbull behind him.

Mr. Barker's as mute as a fish in the sea;
Mr. Miles never moves on a journey;

Mr. Gotobed sits up to half-after-three;

Mr. Makepeace was bred an attorney.

Smith, Brown, Jones, and Robinson, the typical English names, stand in the foremost rank as to commercial preponderance. The interesting statistics shewing the proportions of other familiar names cannot here be introduced.

One cannot leave this subject without some slight notice of nicknames and petnames. As to the former, so universal is the practice of giving them, that it would seem to spring from a general human instinct. I am inclined to think that the explanation may lie in this disposition of the mind to seize upon any salient feature of character or striking incident of conduct, which at all times more distinctly calls to mind the man's individuality than does his proper name, which indeed may be for him meaningless. The custom of employing nicknames is much more prevalent in the manufacturing and mining districts, than in the agricultural; and would seem to indicate the existence of a great degree of mental activity and shrewdness. As an illustra

tion of the nickname system of this district. I was informed on very reliable authority, that the envelope of a letter, posted less than 100 miles from Willenhall, bore the following address.

"Mr. Wilkes and his wife, nailmakers, Darlaston, live somewhere between Wag Foster's at the Bell, and Bess Jonah's at the Bush: I don't mean Whackey Wilkes, nor Long John on the bank, nor Sissey Wilkes, nor Tum-me-Lord, but I mean that Wilkes commonly called Hockey Wilkes."

Petnames are tokens of affection and endearment, as nick-names are of mischievous fun and malice. There is a pet in most families. Returning home one evening, I observed a group of children, drawing along a little playwagon with one of their number seated in it. In the rear toddled, with uncertain steps, the wee child of the group, till one of the elder ones noticing and compassionating the little one's apparent weariness, said 'Let little Johnny ride:' whereupon there arose a full chorus of small voices, replying 'Yes! let little Johnny ride.' And little Johnny was forthwith placed in the chariot. And, doubtless, there is a little Johnny or Tommy, or Dicky or Joey in many homes. So when, in going through the world, one meets with little Johnnies or Joeys, a tender chord in the heart is touched; early and dear associations are awakened. For "One touch of nature makes the world akin." Elizabeth Barrett Browning has expressed some such thought in her Poem, entitled 'The Pet Name.'

"I have a name, a little name,

Uncadenced for the ear,

Unhonored by ancestral claim,
Unsanctified by prayer and psalm,
The solemn font anear.

My brother gave that name to me,
When we were children twain;
When names acquired baptismally,
Were hard to utter, as to see
That life had any pains."

Briefly glance at the moral aspects of the question. How important that children should have good sensible names given to them, befitting their position and future prospects; not such as will make them ashamed or a butt for ridicule, but such as will be an honor to them. Bush, the American writer, observes "That the influence of names in the formation of character is probably much greater than is generally imagined. Children should be taught that, to bear the name of a good man or woman who lived before them, constitutes an obligation upon them to imitate or perpetuate their virtues." So that a name may be a help or a drag through life; may be either pointing the path to a high and noble object, or suggesting low and debasing associations. However we may try to shake off such associations or such ideas, that similarity of name implies similarity of character or destiny, none of us, perhaps, are wholly free from them; yet, as we cannot help the names we have, let us try to make them loved, honoured and noble, in spite

of all drawbacks. For a good name is better than precious ointment,' and 'is rather to be chosen than great riches.' And yet, although we may justly and laudably endeavour to have our names held in reverence and esteem among men, so as thereby to glorify 'Our Father which is in Heaven,' it is of prime importance that our nature should be made noble and Godlike. For, as we nearer approach to Him and more clearly apprehend His nature, we shall be less inclined to vaunt ourselves upon mere earthly name and fame, but humbly lay such distinctions at His feet, whose Name is above every name.

3.

Now come we to the great unknown,

Who travel by the Third,

No bows polite to them are thrown,
But oft a growling word.
Officials enter each partition
And eye its tenants with suspicion;
Some french-leave passengers unseating,
Who try to travel cheap, by cheating.
The porter, hopeless here of fees,
Cries, tickets!' without 'if' or 'please!'

Ah me! what homage wealth can buy,

No wonder that men rave and thirst

For Gold! My friend, may you and I
Have e'er of cash a good supply

That we may travel by the First !

Willenhall, March, 1862.

A. RYDER.

A Fortnight's Journey on the Continent,

BY THE REV. G. H. FISHER, M.A.

(Continued from our last).

Nineteen hours of continuous travelling in a mail train, brought us to Marseilles. The grand Hotel des Ambassadeurs was hardly equal to its name. Sunday at Marseilles was, in the afternoon, like a small fair in England. As in other French towns, so in this, there are evidences of a strong hand, using its power for the health and adornment of the place. Very recently, Marseilles was renowned for whatever was vulgar, filthy, and de-civilised. In the lower portions of the town, I was saluted by such odours as, for pungency and sharpness of definition, I never encountered elsewhere. Not so numerous as those attributed to Cologne, they atoned in volume for any numerical inequality. The license of a Commercial Port is notorious, and it was therefore no wonder that my rest was broken by street noises. I pass with few words that which, more than all other incidents of my travels, rests vividly in my memory-my leaving the Valetta' Steamer, just as she was about to move her engines, to convey to Alexandria her 111 passengers. When her deck and its occupants were hidden by stationary shipping, I turned away, and hastened to the train which was to take me to Lyons. The road was no novelty, as I had so lately travelled it. fellow passengers were a French gentleman and lady: the former becoming,

My