FRENCH NAMES FOR BRITISH BABIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 294, 31 August 1918, Page 5

FRENCH NAMES FOR BRITISH BABIES

The question of choosing a suihblo and pleasing name for the newly-arriv-ed baby is one which often proves to be a vexed and a vexing one among ywing married folks, states the "Daily Mail." A certain well-to-do young couple iecontly concerned themselves over this puzzling question of baby's names. They did not want anything too ' swanky"—nothing .like tho Marniaciukes, Reginalds, and Lionels beloved of middle-class parents a few decades ago—and after much casting about for a suitable appellation for, their. Ley, they finally in desperation fixed upon "John Edward," which certainly is not a choice showing much imagination 01 artistic feeling. During Ihe time of the Boer War wo remember the "Mafekings," >"Bul!ers," and "Ladysmiths" which were inflicted upon unfortunate youngsters by foolish and unfeeling parents. There has been no revival of this disposition! to use war names during tho present conflict, but there is ono direction in which British parents might make an improve ment in giving names to tlier children; and that is by using French l.amcs. It would surely be a very graceful compliment to our gallant French Allies if wo began to adopt some of the (.-harming and extremely pretty and artistic names they give to their children. To take some of the names frequently net with, in French families, together with somo o'/ historical and religious significance, thero are, for boys, Pierre (Peter) awl Jules already fairly well known; Mathieu, Barnabe, GieEoire, Etienne, Sylvostre, Lucien, Gaston, Aristido, Augilste, Hilairc, Arniand, Fornand, Gervaisc, Antoine, li'aoul, Geoffroi, Ambroise, Ansohno, Loon, Louis, Marcel, and many cithers of like agreeable sound; while for girls we havo Madeline, Nathalie,.C'oliuotto, Melawe, Agathe, .Hortense, Clotilda, Eulalie, Irma, Euphr'asie, Lucile, Jacqueline, Ninon (or Nnnetto), Babotte (diminutive for Elizabeth), ifrsule, Mulisse, Spsie, .Julienne, Mathilde, Pelagic, Hcloise, Celine, Marthe, Yvonne, and heaps.of:otliers equally sweet and euphonious to the ear. : The idea may therefore be lecomnsended to anyone who has to-do with the naming of the little ones, and young parents of a patriotic and generous'turn ..of mind might do worse than name one or two of their children after those of our bravo French Mies and whoso womenfolk and children have in particular made such great and perhaps never to lie sufficiently praised or appreciated sacrifices in the common cause. Our little Jeannots, Marcels, Celines, and Jacquelincs may thus by their Christian names help to keep in mind tor future generations our mutual part in tho great war, and mark cur gratitude and appreciation for thoso charming qualities in language, art, and social life in which tho French peoplo have always stood pre-eminent. . The Victoria League entertainment, which is to bo given in the Concert Chamber of the. Town Hall on Tuesday evening, in aid of the French Relief Fund, offers much variety and enter-) tainment. Living statuary groups, arranged by Miss M. Butler, will present somo of the foremost figures in French history, including Napoleon and Joan of. Arc, the latter being a replica of the beautiful atatuo in the Luxemburg Gallery in Paris. Another representation, one that was much admired at .the Navy League entertainment— "Love and Fato"—will bo repeated for this occasion, while a couri scene, followed by a gavotto of tho period, will he an outstanding feature of the programme. Tho amusing one-act comedy, "The Bathroom Door," will be reproduced, Miss Jessie Newtown taking the place of Miss Butte, who is away. Mrs. S. Harcourt will contribute a recitation and Miss Cruicksliank will sing a charnijng Eastern sons. The entertainment is being given under the natronago of Their Excellencies the GovernorGeneral and Lady Liverpool. Much interest is centred in the raffle of the chest of household linen, wdiich is being hold in connection with the Thorndon Day at tho Wellington Red Cross Shop on September 13. Many of the articles included in this outfit" are of a value that is to-day unprocurable or rapidly becoming so. Tho articles comprise sheets, pillowcases,' pillows, blankets, bedspreads, (ono of Teneriffe worked linon being especially valuable), crochet-bordered afternoon teacloths, traycloths, d'oyleys, a handsome eiderdown quilt, and other articles which to the housewife mean so much in these- days. Among tho towels aro some silk ones made, by the widows of Indian soldiers who havo fallen in the war. Owing to tho fact that so many Indian men are lighting, and no longer wear tho garments of pre-war days, which were made by Indian women, the latter havo taken to making these towels instead. Tickets may be obtained from Mrs. Joseph, 51 Grant Road, or from Mrs. E. Gillon, 179 Tinal:cn Road, on receipt of a stamped ondressod envolopo, with money (6d.) enclosed. All rafflo books are to bo in by September 1.