Thorpe, is a village; Newthorpe, Valleythorpe, Hillthorpe, are examples.
Hay, is a hedge, and would suit a small hamlet where hedges are found.
Haw and Haugh, mean small meadows.
Cott, or Cote, applies to cottages, and would suit many hamlets.
By, as a termination, means a dwelling-place; ly or leigh, a field. Croft, a small enclosure.
Now would not most of these, and others like them, answer much better than the constant repetition of ville or town? Let us suppose a small village to spring up in a new country; one of its most prominent inhabitants, bearing the name of Antoninus Smith, has shown much interest in the place, and contributed in various ways to its advancement. His neighbors are well aware of the fact, and wish to express their sense of his merits by naming the little place after him. Some, accordingly, propose Antoninusville, others prefer Smithville; one admires Smithopolis, another Antoninustown. They are soon agreed, however, for names are among the very few subjects which it is not thought necessary to submit to discussion in this wordy land of ours. A post is put up at the first crossing in the highway—“To Smithville, 2 miles.” Now would not Smithstead, or Smithbury, have answered much better, showing that something may be done with the most unpromising name without tacking a ville to it?
Then, again: if there be several places of the same name in one neighborhood, as frequently happens, they are distinguished by East, West, North and South; as for example: Scienceville, East Scienceville, West Scienceville, Scienceville Centre. Now, it happens that a fine grove of oaks stands on a point quite near
