Illustrations of Sterne (Volume 2); With Other Essays and Verses (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1812. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. Mr. Shandy's hypothesis of Christian names--Miscellaneous illustrations--Conclusion. 1 Think it is D'Aubigne who mentions a fact, wrought up by Sterne into a chapter, that the States of Switzerland proposed the name of Abednego to be given to one of the children of Henry II. of France. Sterne transferred the story, with his usual carelessness, to Francis I. Burton certainly should have added to the happiness of being well-born, that of being well-named; and this superstition has been so common among the learned, that I wonder how it escaped In the general theory respecting Christian names, I am persuaded that Sterne had in view Montaigne's Essay des Noms. "Chaque nation," says Montaigne, "a quelques noms qui se prennent, je ne s$ai comment, en mauvaise part; et a nous, Jean, Guillaume, Benoist." Mr. Shandy has passed a similar condemnation on some English names, to which yulgar prejudices are attached. I am surprised that Sterne should have withheld a story which Montaigne has told, in support of this fancy. He mentions a young man, who was reclaimed from a very dissolute course of life, by discovering that the name of a prostitute whom he went to visit, was Mary. His reformation was so exemplary, that a chapel was built on the spot where his house had stood, and on the same ground was afterwards erected the church of our lady of Poictiers. *' Cette correction," says he, "voyelle et auriculaire, devotieuse, tira droit a l'ame: " it was indeed a palpable hit. "A gentleman, my neighbour," pro* ceeds the venerable Gascon, "preferring the manners of old times to ours, did not forget to boast of the proud and magnificent names of the ancient nobility, such as Don Grumedan, Don Quedragan, Don Agesilan, or to say that on hearing them pronounced, he felt th...