What's In A Name?
"Have I not in my power to become what I choose? Is there any reason why I should not rather make an effort to gain a respectable livelihood for myself than live in a degrading state of dependence? What is it to me that my ancestors could boast of noble blood? Shall I spend a life of poverty for fear of contaminating their dignity? Would not such meanness be a much greater contamination? Is not honour, virtue, independence the only real dignity? Oh yes, it must be so. I will seek a nobility which monarchs cannot give and which the proudest amongst them shall be taught to respect." -- the character of Edward Mortimer, from Emma Mortimer: A Moral Tale, by Mary Hughs, 1829
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