The ancients named both persons and things from some event or other circumstance connected with the object they were to name.  Chance, fancy, superstition, fondness, and piety, have invented names.  It was a common and whimsical custom among the ancients, (observes Larcher) to give as nicknames the letters of the alphabet.  Thus a lame girl was called Lambda, on account of the resemblance which her lameness made her bear to the letter [Greek:  l], or lambda!  AEsop was called Theta by his master, from his superior acuteness.  Another was called Beta, from his love of beet.  It was thus Scarron, with infinite good temper, alluded to his zig-zag body, by comparing himself to the letter s or z.

The learned Calmet also notices among the Hebrews nicknames and names of raillery taken from defects of body or mind, &c.  One is called Nabal, or fool; another Hamor, the Ass; Hagab, the Grasshopper, &c.  Women had frequently the names of animals; as Deborah, the Bee; Rachel, the Sheep.  Others from their nature or other qualifications; as Tamar, the Palm-tree; Hadassa, the Myrtle; Sarah, the Princess; Hannah, the Gracious.  The Indians of North America employ sublime and picturesque names; such are the great Eagle—­the Partridge—­Dawn of the Day!—­Great swift Arrow!—­Path-opener!—­Sun-bright!

THE JEWS OF YORK.

Among the most interesting passages of history are those in which we contemplate an oppressed, yet sublime spirit, agitated by the conflict of two terrific passions:  implacable hatred attempting a resolute vengeance, while that vengeance, though impotent, with dignified and silent horror, sinks into the last expression of despair.  In a degenerate nation, we may, on such rare occasions, discover among them a spirit superior to its companions and its fortune.

In the ancient and modern history of the Jews we may find two kindred examples.  I refer the reader for the more ancient narrative to the second book of Maccabees, chap. xiv. v. 37.  No feeble and unaffecting painting is presented in the simplicity of the original.  I proceed to relate the narrative of the Jews of York.

When Richard I. ascended the throne, the Jews, to conciliate the royal protection, brought their tributes.  Many had hastened from remote parts of England, and appearing at Westminster, the court and the mob imagined that they had leagued to bewitch his majesty.  An edict was issued to forbid their presence at the coronation; but several, whose curiosity was greater than their prudence, conceived that they might pass unobserved among the crowd, and ventured to insinuate themselves into the abbey.  Probably their voice and their visage alike betrayed them, for they were soon discovered; they flew diversely in great consternation, while many were dragged out with little remains of life.