"1569, June 1. Christened Ezekiell, sonne of Robert Pownall."--Cant. Cath. "1582, April 1. Christened Melchisadeck, sonne of Melchizadeck Bennet, poulter."--St. Peter, Cornhill. "1590, Dec. 20. Christened Abacucke, sonne of John Tailer."--Ditto. "1595, Nov. Christened Zabulon, sonne of John Griffin."--Stepney. "1603, Sep. 15. Buried Melchesideck King."--Cant. Cath. "1645, July 19. Buried Edward, sonne of Mephibosheth Robins."--St. Peter, Cornhill. "1660, Nov. 5. Buried Jehostiaphat (_sic_) Star."--Cant. Cath. "1611, Oct. 21. Baptized Zipporah, d. of Richard Beere, of Wapping."--Stepney. The "Chancery Suits" of Elizabeth contain a large batch of such names; and I have already enumerated a list of "Pilgrim Fathers" of James's reign, whose baptisms would be recorded in the previous century. But compare this with the fact that the leading men in England at this very time were recognized only by the curtest of abbreviated names. In that very quaint poem of Heywood's, "The Hierarchie of Blessed Angels," the author actually makes it the ground of an affected remonstrance: "Marlowe, renowned for his rare art and wit, Could ne'er attain beyond the name of _Kit_, Although his _Hero and Leander_ did Merit addition rather. Famous Kid Was called but _Tom_. _Tom_ Watson, though he wrote Able to make Apollo's self to dote Upon his muse, for all that he could strive, Yet never could to his full name arrive. _Tom_ Nash, in his time of no small esteem, Could not a second syllable redeem. * * * * * Mellifluous Shakespeare, whose enchanting quill Commanded mirth or passion, was but _Will_: And famous Jonson, though his learned pen Be dipped in Castaly, is still but _Ben_." However, in the end, he attributes the familiarity to the right cause: "I, for my part, Think others what they please, accept that heart That courts my love in most familiar phrase; And that it takes not from my pains or praise, If any one to me so bluntly come: I hold he loves me best that calls me _Tom_." It is Sir Christopher, the curate, who, in "The Ordinary," rebels against "Kit:" "_Andrew._ What may I call your name, most reverend sir? _Bagshot._ His name's Sir Kit. _Christopher._ My name is not so short: 'Tis a trisyllable, an't please your worship; But vulgar tongues have made bold to profane it With the short sound of that unhallowed idol They call a kit. Boy, learn more reverence! _Bagshot._ Yes, to my betters." We need not wonder, therefore, that the comedists took their fun out of the new custom, especially in relation to their length and pronunciation in full. In Cowley's "Cutter of Colman Street," Cutter turns Puritan, and thus addresses the colonel's widow, Tabitha: