A NEW TALISMAN. เ 27 spirit.' With looks that contradict their words, they affect to regret their inability to manage him. He is such a boy!' Naughty Willie!' or 'Master William will have his own way!' When the handsome young ruler of the nursery has all his wishes fulfilled, all goes merry as a marriage bell;' but let little Mary or Maude dispute his commands, or even baby Frank retain the toy which he desires to have-there is thunder in the air, and the stormy atmosphere makes itself felt throughout the whole household. But the boy has a loving heart. Not yet can that beautiful child's breast be overgrown with the poisonous fungus Self-love, by which all that is lovely and noble in human nature is in time surely destroyed. In that little heart-garden the flowers of natural affection still bloom, though surrounded by noxious weeds, which if not rooted up will choke every blossom soon; and then the nursery tyrant will progress into the bully at school and the torment of home. When come to man's estate, if he marries, God help his unfortunate wife, his children, and all his dependents! By those who love children devotedly-with a fond and earnest and anxious desire for their present, future, and eternal weal—no suggestion that may possibly help the great work will be despised. Once more, then, may the remembrance of my new talisman be whispered to you! All who love children know that there is no Put, then, your imperious little Tell him of some เ charm more potent over their fresh eager young hearts than a story well told. lesson to that handsome but fellow in the form of a story. knight of old-Bayard of France, sans peur et sans reproche,' fearless and faultless—or of our own Sir Philip Sidney. In the lives of those glorious men, and in countless examples besides, down to the gentle Raglan of our own day, show him how the bravest have ever the kindest hearts, for never was steadfast unfailing courage, mental as well as bodily, found in a tyrant's breast. Describe then the armour of a knight: the shield, the sword, and the helmet above all, where his ladye-love's token was carried, and his distinguishing crest and plume were borne. Tell him of all things it was necessary that the helmet should be trustworthy, for its office was not to offend, but to defend. It guarded the head. Shorn of his helmet, the strongest knight was at the mercy of his foe. Now tell your boy the lovely meaning of his name, that he by God's help may answer to it. Derived from the language of the old Teutonic race, Wil-helm, the helmet of many, signifies one who protects and defends many. Willi or Vili is still preserved in the German 'viel,' many; so too is 'helm,' with the identical meaning of old (which grew out of the word 'hilma '), to cover. In the Icelandic 'hialmr' is helmet; in the Saxon 'helan' signified to cover, to protect; in our own WILLIAM, GEORGE, ESTHER, WINIFRED. 29 language, derived from those above mentioned, familiar to all is the 'plumed helm' of Shakspeare and all our poets. Scarcely less beautiful is the other meaning of this doubly significant name, the Saxon 'helma' signifying the helm or upper part of the rudder, which is grasped by the steersman who guides the ship. Is not our common name of William, then, a name to live up to? A helmet of defence, a protector; or a helmsman, a guide to many! To those who care for the significance of names there is a delight in reading the 'Life of William Pitt,' at the appropriateness of the name to 'the pilot who weathered the storm.' Amongst our simplest names there are many others full of bright meanings to be carried out in like manner. Remind your idle little George that, as a husbandman, if he sows not neither shall he reap. Let Esther, the star, and Winifred, winner or lover of peace, learn and love the hidden beauty of their exquisite names. Still in the unchanging East mothers hang talismans round their children's necks-a gem, a stone, a string of seeds, a written paperthey are charms to protect them from harm. Dear English mothers, will you not try my little talismans? Necklaces and gems may be lost or stolen, but the individual names of your darlings can neither be lost nor stolen away. Ah! would that each and all of us might associate with our every word and deed recollections of the lovely meanings of those Christian names which are hourly sounding in our ears, and which rightly belong to us only as we are in truth the adopted children of God! Why should we not marry mottoes to our individual names as noble houses have united them to their family names-both by such unions being rendered more illustrious? Say that no eye but that of our Father in heaven beholds our hidden banner 'with strange device!' shall the time not come when in the story of our lives it may be read in characters of light by men and angels? In the battle of life let all choose for themselves such mots de guerre.' 6 A few only are suggested here, to redeem my especial promise to those bearing certain names. Teutonic-Albert, altogether bright. Walk as children of light' (Eph. v. 8). Anglo-Saxon-Edward, keeper of happiness. Finem respice.'1 * It is hoped no apology is necessary for illustrating some of the names with verses from the Book.' Is it not strange that the most worldly men see no objection in classical authors alluding to their gods, yet many think it bad taste for any scriptural allusion to be found in works not solely of a religious character ? † The Latin originals are given, because they are more terse than any English translation can be. 1 Motto of the Irish Earl of Darnley. PROMISE REDEEMED. Teutonic-Godfrey, God's 31 peace. 'Corde fixum.' 2 Steadfast heart. Anglo-Saxon-Edmund, happiness and peace. 'Bear and Forbear.' 3 French-Guy (S), standard-bearer (from Guidon). 'Excelsior.' Carry great ensigns, and your lives shall be great. Hebrew-Anne, gracious. (Prov. xi. 16). A gracious woman retaineth honour' Hebrew-Elisabeth, a worshipper of God, literally, 'God is her seven,' or her oath.' 'Worship Him in spirit and in truth' (John iv. 24). Greek-Dorothy, God's gift. Every perfect gift is from above' (James i. 17). Latin-Beatrice, making blessed, a joy-giver. 4 Essayez.' Try. Greek-Emily (S), winsome (from aiμvλía). ‘Willows are weak, but they bind strong woods' (Herbert). Anglo-Saxon-Edith, blessed or perfect happiness. 'Deo, non fortuna.' 5 From God, not fortune. Dear reader, have I not kept my word? 2 Motto of the family of Godfrey of Hurst. |