what nobility is, often take that of their father's profession, and more commonly that of Oglou, or Ibrahim Oglou, the son of Ibrahim, as in England, Johnson, Jackson, &c." i. e. John's-son, Jack's-son.] De la Motraye's Travels, vol. i. page 222.

V. NAMES FROM PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES

Although the multiplicity of Names assumed by the kings of Abyssinia, and the confusion occasioned by this custom, has more than once been complained of in the foregoing sheets, we have here an exception to this practice, otherwise almost general. Icon Almai is the only name by which we know this first prince of the race of Solomon, restored now fully to his dominions, after a long exile his family had suffered by the treason of Judith. The signification of his Name is, let him be made our sovereign, and is apparently that which he took upon his inauguration, or accession to the throne; and his name of baptism, and bye-name or popular name given him, are both therefore lost." Bruce's Travels, vol. ii. page 1.

"David, at his inauguration, took the Name of Lebna Denghel, or the virgin's frankincense; then that of Elena Denghel, or the myrrh of the virgin;' and after, that of Wanag Segued, which signifies reverenced, or feared, among the lions,' with whom, towards the last of his reign, he resided in wilds and mountains, more than with men." Ibid. page 66.

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Hadug Ras, the head, or chief, of the asses: he is a great officer, and chief com mander: he has the care of, or charge of the asses." Ibid.

As instances of the flattery attached to Names, the reader may be amused by the following, which have been assumed by different persons. They are from FRAZER'S History of Nadir Shah.

"Temur is known in Europe by the Name of Tamerlane, a corruption of TemurLang, 'lame Temur;' an appellative seldom, or never, given him by the eastern historians. His name and titles at length are thus translated-The axis of the world, and religion; Prince Temur of Gourjan, Lord of the conjunction-of fortunate stars.' "Shahab O'din, 'the bright star of religion;' and Shah Jehan, 'the king of the world,' were the titles Sultan Hourin assumed on his accession to the throne.

"When Auring Zebe, 'the ornament of the throne,' became emperor, he assumed the titles of Mohy O'din, 'reviver of religion'-and Allum Guir, conqueror of the world.'

"Akbar took to himself the title of Jalal O'din, 'the aggrandizer of religion.'

Sultan Mahommed Mauga, on his accession, assumed the titles of Koteb Al Din, 'the axis of religion;' Bahadr Sheh, 'the valiant king;' and Shall Allum, 'king of the world.'

"The visir's name was Abul Fazl-'the father of excellence.'

Among other Names we find Khojista Akhter, of happy stars.'-Bedar Bukht, 'whose fortune is awake.' Nesi Allah, 'assisted by God.' Sher Afkan, 'the lion overthrower.' Nizam al Muluck, he who arranges and puts in order the empire:' his first name was Chin. Kuleujh Khan, 'the sword-drawing lord.' Abul Mazuffer, 'the father of victory. Emir al Omra, the prince of princes,' is a title usually given to the Mir Bukshi, the paymaster-general and treasurer.

Copy of the titles of a Visir, as subjoined to his seal on the back of a firmam : "The Security of fortune, and trust-worthy of the empire-Chief of the omras or exalted rank-Chosen among the khans of the high court-Manager of the empire and its riches-Director of its fortunes and grandeur-Master of the sword and penExalter of the standard and ensign-Visir of a true judgment-Of one colour, (i. e. ingenuous and sincere)-Prop of the empire-Supreme manager of its affairs—The

victorious general--The grateful friend, and-The pattern for all visirs." Frazer's History of Nadir Shah, page 53.

"The court gave the place of Janissary Aga to Abdi Pacha, in order to commit the jurisdiction of the army to one whose character was that of an executioner. His first care was to dig great pits, and his daily employment was to fill them with the bodies of the soldiers he had ordered to be strangled, on the slightest pretences, and without any examination :-he put to death more than thirty thousand men. The means the Turks employed to surprise their enemies were not less strange: the high treasurer, commanding a detachment, in the night, was lighted by the flame of resinous wood burning in iron chafing-dishes fixed to long poles. Abdi Pacha, therefore, got the name of the Pit-digger; and the high treasure that of the Blazer." Du Tott, vol. ii. p. 113.

"This same Caimakan, who is here spoken of by the name of Hassan Pacha, and the surname Kooyoodgi, is, as often as he is mentioned afterwards, constantly called Mustapha Pacha. This, no doubt, is a mistake of the printer, but that is no apology for the error of the author. This Pacha was neither named Mustapha, nor Hassan ; his name was Seuleeman Pacha Kooyoodgi. I observe also, that the author, at page 199, has given the name of Umer to the high treasurer, whom the same Kooyoodgi Pacha raised by open force to the dignity of pacha with three tails, which he was so unwilling to accept. This high treasurer was named Osman Effendi; his surname was Senichehirlu, because the town of Senichehir was the place of his birth. He has since been known under the name of Osman Pacha." Peysonnel's Remarks on Baron du Tott, page 104.

"Among the Names of his numerous domestics, that of Haidout Mustapha had often struck me. The first word signifies robber, which, indeed, was formerly the profession of Mustapha; he still thought himself honoured with the title, and his master commanded him to relate to me the crimes he had committed." Du Tott, vol. i. page 49.

"We were introduced to their Shekh, who was sick, in a corner of a hut, where he lay on a carpet, with a cushion under his head. This chief of the Ababdé was called "Nimmer," i. e. the Tiger, (though his furious qualities were at this time in a great measure allayed by sickness.)" Bruce, vol. ii. p. 144.

Has this Name any coincidence with that of Nimrod, the mighty hunter. Gen. x. 9?

...

VI. PECULIAR APPLICATIONS OF THE NAME FATHER.

"In the time of the deceased Mahommed Bey, Father of Gold, who was likewise deceived by avarice."... Major Rooke's Travels in Arabia Felix, page 126.

"Pattaka, is the Name given by the merchants of Provence to the dollar of the empire, after the Arabs, who call it rial aboutaka, or father of the window, on account of the arms on the reverse, which, according to them, resemble a window." Volney, vol. i. page 220.

"I made him [the Arab] count his sum, which amounted to seven and a half sequins, and a piece of silver, value about half-a-crown, which in Syria they call abou kelbfather dog. It is the Dutch lion rampant, which the Arabs, who never call a thing by its right name, term "a dog." a dog." Bruce's Travels, vol. iv. p. 177.

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... a few hours before my arrival, had landed Abou Kersh, i. e. father belly, so called from his being immoderately fat."... Ibid. p. 190.

VII. NAMES OF CONTRADICTORY IMPORT.

"But far before any, in the confidence of the late king, was Waragna Shalaka, that is colonel of a regiment of Djawi Galla, with which he defended the provinces of Damot

and Agow against his countrymen on the other side of the Nile; for he was a galla of that nation himself, and his name was Usho, which signifies a dog: but it was more by his interest, which he preserved with those people, than by his arms, that he kept those barbarians from wasting that country.

"The reader will easily remember the first occasion of his coming to Gondar, was, when Bacuffa saw him washing his clothes in a pool of water; and from the reproof, and his behaviour to the king on that occasion, as well as the duty and implicit obedience he paid to his commands afterwards, he was called Waragna, by way of contradiction, that word signifying a sturdy rebel, or one that stands up in defiance of the king. That name became much more famous afterwards in the person of his son Waragna Fusil, to the very great detriment of the country in general." Bruce, vol. ii. page 613.

"He went by the nickname of Goul, or the giant, from his small size and debility of body." Bruce, vol. iv. page 212.

So it is customary in the East to name a negro "Pearl," as being the most perfect contrast to his native blackness.

WOMEN'S NAMES.

"The queen's name was Romana Werk,-The pomegranate of gold." Vol. ii. p. 86. "The queen was vain of her descent; nor did she value herself less on her beauty, as we may judge by the several names she took at different times. Iteghé Mantuab, or the beautiful queen;' Buhan Magwass, or the glory of grace. Her christened name was Welleta Georgis." Bruce, vol. ii. page 611.

Among other names common in the East are the following :*
"Shakrnissa-Sweetest of women.

Mehd Alia, called also Taage Mahl-The Crown of the Seraglio.
Hur al Nissa-The most Angelic of women.

Jehan Ara-The Ornament of the World.

Suria Banu-The shining Princess." Frazer's Nadir Shah.

The reader is desired to look back to No. CXVIII. for instances of popular nicknames taken from personal imperfections or peculiarities.

These specimens may support our proposition, that a correct list of Hebrew names though it be a desideratum, is not easy of performance. They may shew, too, that the analysis of names must not be too strictly depended on. Without accumulating other instances, we offer a few remarks on those already produced.

(1) We see how customary is the addition of the father's name to the son's :-in the Old Testament, Ben such an one:-in the New Testament, Bar such an one; as Bar-Timeus, Bar-Jona, &c. This Niebuhr tells us is still the custom in Arabia.

(2) Names given from particular events, as Jacob--Ben-oni-Pharen-Ichabod, &c. need no notice here; as they must have engaged the reader's attention.

(3) We might enlarge on the antiquity of additional names. Ham from laughing is said to have acquired a name, (vide No. XIX.) This is the earliest instance known. But, Abram changed to Abraham, and Sarai to Sarah-Jacob to Israel-and others, prove the great antiquity of this custom. It appears also, to have been widely extended:-as the king of Babylon practised it in the instance of Mattaniah, king of Judah, whom he called Zedekiah (2 Kings xxiv. 17.); and in the instances of Daniel and his companions (Dan. i. 7.), who all received new appellations.

(4) We observe how very loosely the title father is given to a person, or to a thing, and how greatly we should err, in taking it strictly for progenitor, or even for a distant VOL. III.

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ancestor; since it has no connection with natural descent, or consanguinity; nor even with subjects of the same nature-witness, father of the window..

In fact, we have no want of such instances among ourselves. In London that Alderman who has longest enjoyed the office, is entitled "Father of the city," and takes place accordingly; the oldest member of a society is often called father of that society, though many of the members may be his seniors in age; and so in many other cases, which probably are well known to the reader.

N. B. The names of relation, mother, brother, sister, &c. are used with the same latitude in the East, where natural consanguinity, or even similarity of situation or character, is not always intended by them.

(5) According to the official promotions received by any one, he assumes a new name, or has a new name conferred on him: so Daniel was called Bel-shazzar, and his three companions also received new Chaldee names, on their promotion in the royal service somewhat analogous to official rank, captain, admiral, general, &c.; and to the degrees of nobility, peerage, &c. among ourselves.

(6) We cannot but remark the continuance of this custom; for, in the Epistle to the church of Pergamos (Rev. ii. 17.), our Lord promises, as a promotion of honour, to give the conqueror "a new name," written on a white stone; a name peculiar, and restricted to the person who receives that stone; and not to be claimed by any other; which seems to be the import of the passage-"a name which no man knoweth,”— in the sense of owneth, claimeth, "except the receiver of it."

(7) Perhaps, as pleasant an instance as most we might mention, of the whimsical effect of a new name given to the same person, belongs to our own country, and is related by the Rev. Mr. Hill, in his "Travels in Italy." He presented a letter of recommendation from the late Marquis of Lansdowne, formerly Lord Shelburne, to an Italian abbate, with whom Lord Shelburne had been intimate; the abbate received the company civilly, but did not know the Marquis of Lansdowne, from whom the letter appeared to be, by its signature, till he was reminded of his former intimacy with Lord Shelburne, and was informed of his Lordship's change of title on his promotion to the marquisate. Under his new title, he did not recognize his old friend!

(8) The reader has seen the importance of the office of Kal Hatzé, the " Word of the king" (FRAGMENTS, No. IX.), and the allusion to a great officer of state, FRAGMENTS, NO. XIV. May the titles given to the Visir, on the back of his firman, remind us of those exalted and most noble appellations bestowed by Isaiah (chap. ix.) on a Person who was to be born-Emanuel! the Light to lighten the gentiles! the GLORY of the nation of Israel!

Including, no doubt, the idea, that whereas officers of state receive new names on their promotion to higher honours, this exalted person shall be at once entitled to these distinguished appellations, without waiting for progressive gradations of rank; i. e. he shall enjoy them instantly by descent, not receive them successively by promotion: he shall be born to high honours and offices.

How should we have understood the title given to the Visir, "of one colour," if it had not fortunately been explained as meaning ingenuous and sincere? No doubt, many Bible names are equally metaphorical; and though they sound strange to us, yet they might be easy, and even familiar, when, and where, originally bestowed.

No. CXLIII. HIP-AND-THIGH-MEN. WRESTLERS.

WE have an expression in the history of Samson (Judges xv. 8.) which cannot but appear obscure to the English reader; as indeed it has been thought by translators in general. Samson smote the Philistines "Hip and Thigh, with a great slaughter." Hip under Thigh, say some; leg under Thigh, say others; or, leg against Thigh, or leg over, or upon Thigh; as the words literally express: horse and foot, say others; i. e. the foot trusting to their legs, are alluded to as leg men; the horsemen sitting on their Thighs, are alluded to as Thigh men. These are not all the varieties of interpretation which this passage has experienced. With submission, it is proposed to illustrate the expression by the following extracts:

"It appears probable, from the following circumstances, that the exercise of Wrestling, as it is now performed by the Turks, is the very same that was anciently used in the Olympic games. For, besides the previous covering of the palæstræ with sand, that the combatants might fall with more safety, they have their pellowan bashee, or master wrestler, who, like the Aywvolerns of old, is to observe and superintend over the jura palæstræ and to be the umpire in all disputes. The combatants, after they are anointed all over with oil, to render their naked bodies the more slippery, and less easily to be taken hold of, first of all, look one another stedfastly in the face, as Diomede or Ulysses does the palladium upon antique gems: then they run up to and retire from each other several times, using all the while a variety of antic and other postures, such as are commonly used in the course of the ensuing conflict. After this prelude, they draw nearer together, and challenge each other, by CLAPPING THE PALMS OF THEIR HANDS FIRST UPON THEIR OWN KNEES OR THIGHS, then upon each other, and afterwards upon the palms of their respective antagonists. The challenge being thus given, they immediately close in and struggle with each other, striving with all their strength, art, and dexterity (which are often very extraordinary), who shall give his antagonist a fall, and become the conqueror. During these contests I have often seen their arms, and legs, and thighs, so twisted and linked together (catenatæ palæstræ, as Propertius calls it), that they have both fallen together, and left the victory dubious; too difficult sometimes for the pellowan bashee to decide.

“ Пadaιoτñs aπTWTOs (a Wrestler not to be thrown), occurs in ancient inscriptions, Murat. tom. ii. page 627. The wán, therefore, being thus acted in all the parts of it with open hands, might very properly, in contradistinction to the cæstus, or boxing, receive its name άò тоυ Tadaιrou, from struggling with open hands. We have a most lively picture of this ancient gymnastic exercise upon an antique urn, in Patin's Imp. Roman. Numismata, page 122; and likewise upon a coin of Trebonianus Gallus, the figure whereof is exhibited in Vaillant, Numism. Imper. Græc." Shaw's Travels, page 217.

In like manner, Pitts informs us-" they have [at Algiers] a comical sort of Wrestling There comes one boldly into the ring of people, and strips all to his drawers; he turns his back to the ring, and his face toward his clothes on the ground. He then stretcheth on his right knee, and then throws abroad his arms three times, clapping his hands together as often, just above the ground: ... then makes two or three good springs into the middle of the ring, and there he stands with his left hand to his left ear, and his right hand to his left elbow. This is his challenge; his antagonists do the same. After which the pilewans face each other, and then both at once slap their hands on their Thighs, and then clap together, and then lift them up as high as their shoulders, and cause the palms of their hands to meet, and with the same dash