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great deal in a name; that some names are odious and scandalous, “ill-seeming and bereft of beauty,” and no boy would care to answer to them; for to be hailed as Cain, or addressed as Achan (who was a thief), would make a boy feel shame. Oh, there is a great deal in a name! Perhaps a rose called by any other name would not and could not smell as sweet. A rose has every inducement to live up to its sweet name, to be as good as its name. I should hate to see a man called Washington hanged for treason to his country. And if a man named Caesar played the coward, it would shock our sense of fitness.
Now there are few Esaus to be found in the rolls of names, and I will tell you why. Because young Esau had the first claim on a great boon, on a glorious privilege, and basely surrendered it, and ignobly threw it away to gain a mess of pottage, a present gratification of the senses, for he sold his birthright for a plateful of food.