But the naming of this horse was not so lightly to be decided. Would it have been fitting under all the circumstances of the case to have given him any such appellation as Buzzard, Trumpeter, Ploughboy, Master Jackey, Master Robert, Jerry Sneak, Trimmer, Swindler, Deceiver, Diddler, Boxer, Bruiser, Buffer, Prize-fighter, Swordsman, Snap—would it have been fitting I say to have given to a Colt who was dropt almost as unexpectedly as if he had dropt from the clouds,—would it I repeat have been fitting to have given him any one of these names, all known in their day upon the Turf, or of the numberless others commonly and with equal impropriety bestowed upon horses. CHAPTER CXXXIX. FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS RELATING TO ONOMATOLOGY. Moreover there are many more things in the World than there are names for them; according to the saying of the Philosopher; _Nomina sunt finita, res autem infinitæ; ideo unum nomen plura significat:_ which saying is by a certain, or rather uncertain, author approved: _Multis speciebus non sunt nomina; idcirco necessarium est nomina fingere, si nullum ante erit nomen impositum._ GWILLIM. Names, Reader, are serious things; and certain philosophers, as well as Mr. Shandy, have been to use the French-English of the day, deeply penetrated with this truth. The name of the Emperor of Japan is never known to his subjects during his life. And the people of ancient Rome never knew the true and proper name of their own City, which is indeed among the things that have utterly perished. It was concealed as the most awful of all mysteries, lest if it were known to the enemies of the City, they might by force of charms and incantations deprive it of the aid of its tutelary Gods.—As for that mystery which has occasioned among Hebrew Critics the Sect of the Adonists, I only hint thereat. Names, Reader, are serious things, so serious that no man since Adam has been able, except by special inspiration, to invent one which should be perfectly significant. _Adan, antes que el bien le fuera oposito, Fue tan grande filosofo y dialectico, Que a todo quanto Dios le dio en deposito, (Aunque pecando fue despues frenetico,) De nombres adorno tan a proposito Como quien tuvo espiritu profetico; Porque naturaleza en modo tacito Las causas descubrio a su beneplacito._ _Esta virtud tan alta fue perdiendose De los que del vinieron derivandose, Tanto que todos van desvaneciendose. En aplicar los nombres, y engañandose, Sino es por algun Angel descubriendose, O por inspiracion manifestandose._[1] [Footnote 1: CAYRASCO DE FIGUEROA.]