'Twas Ever Thus

Following from the last poem entitled Ladies Names, here is another contemporary poetic commentary on Victorian names.

This one is less whimsical, bemoaning the use of "fancy" names for the working classes. Certainly, this was a trend that grew, as thirty years on the gap between 'upstairs' and 'downstairs' names had very much decreased. 

This entry is taken from the Essex Newsman, published on Saturday 16 June, 1877. The poem itself was not credied to any author. 

 

CALLING NAMES

Where are the old familiar names?
John and James and Mary and John?
We never hear of a Susan now,
And it's not Bill, but Frederick, who follows the plough.

You'll not travel far by second-class rail
But you are sure to encounter some Florence pale,
With much appreciation towards fashion in dress,
But with never a trace of loveliness! 

Our laundress's infants have no great charms,
Yet they have a Eugenie in arms;
While Victor Albert swings on a gate,
And muches on his bacon in village state. 

'Twould be hard to say there is any blame,
There is no monopoly on a name;
But it strikes one sometimes as rather absurd
That contrast between the child and the word. 

And what will it be when years have flown?
And these finely-named damsels are women grown?
When Evelyn Ada must polish the grates,
While Edith Amelia is washing the plates!

Think of it, ye sinsible mothers,
Before you arrange fine names for others;
For though not to-day, nor perhaps next Sunday,
 It will happen as sure as my name's Mrs Grundy.

Essex Newsman, Saturday 16 June, 1877