_Warville_ (Vol. viii., p. 516.).--As regards the letter _W_, there is a
distinction to be made between proper names and other words in the French
language. The exclusion of that letter from the alphabet is sufficient
proof that there are no words of French origin that begin with it; but the
proper names in which it figures are common enough in recent times. Of
these, the greater number have been imported from the neighbouring
countries of Germany, Switzerland, and {210} Belgium: and some too are of
local origin or formation.
In the latter category is the name of _Warville_, which is derived from
Ouarville, near Chartres, where Brissot was born in 1754. Between the
French _ouar_ and our "war," there is a close similarity of sound; and in
the spirit of innovation, which characterised the age of Brissot, the
transition was a matter of easy accomplishment. Hence the _nom de guerre_
of Warville, by which he was known to his cotemporaries.