[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, xx{s}."--"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. [24] In the Oxford edition, 1859, is a foot-note: "Appoline was the usual name in England, as Appoline in France, for Apollonia, a martyr at Alexandria, who, among other tortures, had all her teeth beaten out." [25] Mr. Beesley, in his "History of Banbury" (p. 456), curiously enough speaks of this _Epiphany_ as a Puritan example. I need not say that a Banbury zealot would have as soon gone to the block as impose such a title on his child. [26] Gawain, Gawen, or Gavin lingered till last century in Cumberland and the Furrness district. The surname of Gunson in the same parts shows that "Gun" was a popular form. Hence, in the Hundred Rolls, Matilda fil. Gunne or Eustace Gunnson. The London Directory forms are Gowan, Gowen, and Gowing: "1593, Nov. 7. Buried Sarra Bone, wife of Gawen Bone."--St. Dionis Backchurch. [27] A good instance of the position in society of Jane and Joan is seen in Rowley's "A Woman never Vexed," where, in the _dramatis personae_, _Jane_ is daughter to the London Alderman, and _Joan_ servant-wench to the Widow. The play was written about 1630. [28] There seems to have been some difficulty in forming the feminines of Charles, all of which are modern. Charlotte was known in England before the queen of George III. made it popular, through the brave Charlet la Tremouille, Lady Derby; but it was rarely used: "1670, Oct. 26. Sir Sam{l}. Morland to Carola Harsnet."--Westminster Abbey. "1703. Charlotte Eliza, d. of Mr. John Harmand, a French minister."--Hammersmith.