43 



The translation of sui-names is another curious subject, closely allied 

 to that of their corruption. Some centuries ago, it was common for 

 authors to turn their French, German, or English names into Latin 

 or Greek. Thus the real name of Melancthon was Schwarzerd; of 

 Grotius, De Groot ; and of Nseander, Neumann. Thus Key became 

 Caius, and Gowan Smith ; and this accounts foi^ different forms of 

 the same name, such for instance as Kemble, Campo-bello, Beau-champ, 

 Beau-pre, and Schonau, all meaning the same as Campbell or Fair- 

 field ; also Schwarzenberg, Czeruahora, and Montenegro ; Drink- 

 water, Boileau, and Bevelacqua ; Montefiore and Blumenberg ; 

 Chaucer (i.e. calcearius) Hosier and Schumann. 



The " Chronicles of the Foundling Hospital " afford some curious 

 details as to the manner in, which surnames often arise. The original 

 practice here was to name the unfortunate children after the first 

 patrons of the institution ; and thus in the earlier stages of its e.x- 

 istence, we find the inmates rejoicing in such appellations as Bedford, 

 Norfolk, Russell, Marlborough, &c. These being soon exhausted, the 

 governors had recourse next to the names of celebrated Englishmen. 

 Shaksperes, Miltons, Bacons, Gromwells, Lauds, and Latimers abound 

 at this period. After Nelson's visit to the institution we find Nelson, 

 Baltic, Nile, &c. in high favour ; just as now, doubtless many children 

 are baptized with the Christian (if Christian they can be called) names 

 of Alma, Inkerman, and Balaldava. Later on, the governors and 

 directors resorted to the practice of giving the cliildren their own 

 names. This plan however was soon found to be attended with the 

 inconvenience, that in after life many were found to be too eager to claim 

 afiinity of blood with the donors of their name. As a last resource, a 

 list was prepared of common names, such as Jones, Thompson, and 

 Smith, and these were applied to the new comers in regular rotation. 



My subject is one on which such a variety of information starts up 

 on every side, that although I have trespassed somewhat unreasonably 

 on your time and attention, I feel T have done little more than make 

 a few suggestions on the subject, which may be profitably followed out 

 by abler heads than mine. To others I especially leave the interesting 

 and philosophical discussion of the causes of distinctive classes of 

 names, assuming a larger or less proportion in different nations. 



