“Sibb Smith, near Westgate, Canterbury, 1650.”—“Half-penny Tokens of Seventeenth Century.”
“1590, Aug. 30. Christening of Cibell Overton, d. of Lawrence Overton, bowyer.”
Three names practically disappeared in this same century—Olive, Jacomyn or Jacolin, and Grissel:
“1581, Feb. 17. Baptized Olyff, daughter of Degorie Stubbs.”—St. Columb Major.
“1550, Dec. 11. Christning of Grysell, daughter of — Plummer.”—St. Peter, Cornhill.
“1598, March 15. Buried Jacolyn Backley, widow.”—St. Dionis Backchurch.
Olive was a great favourite in the west of England, and was restored by a caprice of fashion as Olivia in the eighteenth century. It was the property of both sexes, and is often found in the dress of “Olliph,” “Olyffe,” and “Olif.” From being a household pet, Dorothy, as Doll, almost disappeared for a while. Doll and Dolly came back in the eighteenth century, under the patronage of the royal and stately Dorothea. What a run it again had! Dolly is one of the few instances of a really double existence. It was the rage from 1450 to 1570; it was overwhelmed with favour from 1750 to 1820. Dr. Syntax in his travels meets with three Dollys. Napoleon is besought in the rhymes of the day to
“quit his folly,
Settle in England, and marry Dolly.”
Once more Dolly, saving for Dora, has made her bow and exit. I suppose she may turn up again about 1990, and all the little girls will be wearing Dolly Vardens.
Barbara, with its pet Bab, is now of rarest use. Dowse, the pretty Douce of earlier days, is defunct, and with it the fuller Dowsabel: