[17] Colonel Cunningham, in his annotations of the “Alchemist,” says, speaking of the New Englanders bearing the Puritan prejudices with them: “So deeply was it rooted, that in the rebellion of the colonies a member of that State seriously proposed to Congress the putting down of the English language by law, and decreeing the universal adoption of the Hebrew in its stead.”—Vol. ii. p. 33, Jonson’s Works.
[18] The following entry is a curiosity:
“1756, May 24. Buried Love Venus Rivers.”—St. Peter, Cornhill.
[19] Even Nathaniel may have been a pre-Reformation name, for Grumio says, “Call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip, Walter, Sugarsop, and the rest; let their heads be sleekly combed” (“Taming of the Shrew,” Act iv. sc. 1.), where he is manifestly using the old names.
[20] Zachary was the then form of Zachariah, as Jeremy of Jeremiah. Neither is a nickname.
[21] The story of Cain and Abel would be popularized in the “mysteries.” Abelot was a favourite early pet form (vide “English Surnames,” index; also p. 82).
[22] “Jan, 1537. Item: payed to Blaze for brawdering a payre of sleves for my lady’s grace, xxs.”—“Privy Purse Expenses, Princess Mary.”
[23] Philip is found just as frequently for girls as boys:
“1588, March 15. Baptized Phillip, daughter of John Younge.
“1587, Feb. 7. Baptized Phillip, daughter of James Laurence.”—St. Columb Major.