aid or done in a moment of passion or
thoughtlessness, which the individual would like to recall at almost any
price, but cannot. The saddest of all are those unfortunates, for there
are such, to whom their parents, they knew not why, gave such names.

Another class are those given at first as a term of reproach or
disgrace, accepted without protest, and afterwards borne as a title of
honor. The name "Old Hickory" will at once suggest itself as such an
instance. Truly fortunate is the person who has the tact and is in
circumstances to do this, and thus turn the weapons of his enemies
against themselves. There are others, again, whose character and
position are such that they permit no familiarity, and every name of
reproach or ridicule rolls off like shot from the iron shell of the
monitor. The name of our Washington suggests such an individual. Whoever
for an instant thought of approaching him with familiarity, or of
applying to him a nickname as a term of reproach or ridicule, or even as
an expression of good nature.

As will be readily seen, the evil resulting from this custom is wide
spread and alarming. It would also seem to be almost without remedy,
since it is the result of irresponsible action, committed by persons who
are not fully aware of what they are doing, by those who are
indifferent, as to what may follow, or by those who are actuated by
malice; against these there is no law except the steady, persistent
movement of the thinking public setting its face squarely against the
practice, with the passage of time, which usually brings about, we know
not always how, the remedy for such evils; but we are seldom willing to
wait for such a cure.

As before intimated parents are sometimes guilty of this offence, and
thus place upon a child a stigma that will follow it through life. A
little care on their part will remedy the evil, to that extent, and they
surely should be willing to do their share in the work. Teachers and
those who have the charge of the young are sometimes thoughtless enough
to commit the same fault. Should it not be crime? For they have no right
to be thus inconsiderate, when a little restraint upon their part will
prevent the wrong as far as they are concerned. With these two
influences setting in the right direction, added to that of the thinking
community, a current may very likely be formed that shall obliterate
wholly the custom and deliver us from its attendant difficulties.

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