If a in

tains but twelve simple vowel sounds; to represent which, we have only five distinct characters or letters. jar, is the same specific sound as a in fat; and u in bull, the same as in move, which is the opinion of some grammarians; then there are but ten original vowel sounds in the English language.

The following list will show the sounds of the consonants, being in number twenty-two.

Words containing the
simple sounds.

bay, tub.

as heard in

in

day, sad.

several letters marked in the English alphabet, as conEnts, me either superfluous, or represent, not simple, oraplex sounds. G, for instance, is superfluous in is sounds; the one being expressed by 4, and the by C in the soft pronunciation, is not a simple, a coraplen sound; as gris pronounced sidge. Jis Lessary, divanse its couad, and that of the soft s m our language the same. Q, with its attendant 2, tomo giammarials suppose ♬ to mark only an aspiration, 0. hing: but it appears to be distinct sound, and formed in

daricanor, by the ogans of speech. Brcyck. Britaut..

is either complex, and resolvable into kw, as in quality ; or unnecessary, because its sound is the same with k, as in opaque. X is compounded of gs, as in example; or of ks, as in expect.

From the preceding representation, it appears to be a point of considerable importance, that every learner of the English language should be taught to pronounce perfectly, and with facility, every original simple sound that belongs to it. By a timely and judicious care in this respect, the voice will be prepared to utter, with ease and accuracy, every combination of sounds; and taught to avoid that confused and imperfect manner of pronouncing words, which accompanies, through life, many persons, who have not, in this respect, been properly instructed at an early period.

Letters are divided into Vowels and Consonants. A vowel is an articulate sound, that can be perfectly uttered by itself: as, a, e, o, which are formed without the help of any other sound.

A consonant is an articulate sound, which canno be perfectly uttered without the help of a vowel as, b, d, f, l; which require vowels to express them fully.

The vowels are, a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes a and y.

IV and y are consonants when they begin a word or syllable; but in every other situation they are called vowels.

It is generally acknowledged by the best grammarians, that wand y are consonants when they begin a syllable or word, and vowels when they end one. That they are consonants, when used as initials, seems to be evident from their not admitting the article an before them, as it would be improper to say, an walnut, an yard, &c.; and from their following a vowel without any hiatus or difficulty of utterance; as, frosty winter, rosy youth. That they are vowels in other situations, appears from their regularly

taking the sound of other vowels; as, w has the exact sound of u in saw, few, now, &c.; and y that of i, in hymn, fly, crystal, &c. See the letters W and Y, pages 24 & 25*. We present the following as more exact and philosophical definitions of a vowel and consonant.

A vowel is a simple, articulate sound, perfect in itself, and formed by a continued effusion of the breath, and a certain conformation of the mouth, without any alteration in the position, or any motion of the organs of speech, from the moment the vocal sound commences, till it ends.

A consonant is a simple, articulate sound, imperfect by itself, but which, joined with a vowel, forms a complete sound, by a particular motion or contact of the organs of speech.

Some grammarians subdivide vowels into the simple and the compound. But there does not appear to be any foundation for the distinction Simplicity is essential to the nature of a yowel, which excludes every degree of mixed or compound sounds. It requires, according to the definition, but one conformation of the organs of speech, to form it; and no motion in the organs whilst it is forming.

Consonants are divided into mutes and semi

he votes cannot be sounded at all without the aid of a vowd. They are b, p, t, d, k, and c, and g hard.

The semi-vowels have an imperfect sound of themselves, they are ƒ, l, m, n, r, v, s, ̋z, r, and c and g soft.

Four of the semi-vowels, namely, l, m, n, r, are also distinguished by the name of liquids, from their readily uniting with other consonants, and flowing as it were into their sounds.

The letters w and y are of an ambiguous nature; being con sonants at the beginning of words, and vowels at the end. Encyclop. Britannica. WALKFR'S Critical pronouncing Dictionary, page 24. vs English Dictionary, Freface, page 7.

We have shown above, that it is essential to the nature of a consonant, that it cannot be fully uttered without the aid of a vowel. We may further observe, that even the names of the consonants, as they are pronounced in reciting the alphabet, require the help of vowels to express them. In pronouncing the names of the mutes, the assistant vowels follow the consonants: as, be, pe, te, de, ka. In pronouncing the names of the semi-vowels, the vowels generally precede the consonants: as, ef, el, em, en, ar, es, The exceptions are, ce, ge, ve, zed.

8x.

This distinction between the nature and the name of a consonant, is of great importance, and should be well explained to the pupil. They are frequently confounded by writers on grammar. Observations and reasonings on the name, are often applied to explain the nature, of a consonant and, by this means, the student is led into error and perplexity, respecting these elements of language. It should be impressed on his mind, that the name of eve. ry consonant, is a complex sound; but that the consonant itself, is always a simple sound.

Some writers have described the mutes and semi-vowels, - with their subdivisions, nearly in the following manner.

The mutes are those consonants, whose sounds cannot be protracted. The semi-vowels, such whose sounds can be continued at pleasure, partaking of the nature of vow. els, from which they derive their name.

The mutes may be subdivided into pure and impure. The pure, are those whose sounds cannot be at all prolonged they are k, p, t. The impure, are those whose sounds may be continued, though for a very short space: they are b, d, g.

The semi-vowels may be subdivided into vocal and aspirated The vocal are those which are formed by the voice; the aspirated, those formed by the breath. There are eleven vocal, and five aspirated. The vocal are l, m, n, r, v, w, y, z, th flat, zh, ng: the aspirated, fx by so th sharp, sh.

The vocal semi-vowels may be subdivided in pure and impure. The pure are those which are formed enti hy the voice the impure, such as have a mixture of breath with the voice. There are seven pure-, m, n, r, w, j 4g four impure-v, z, th flat, zh.

B

has no interest mn it, but that which arises from the hope, that it will prove of some advantage to young persons, and relieve the labours of those who are employed in their education. He wishes to promote, in some degree, the cause of virtue, as well as of learning; and, with this view, he has been studi ous, through the whole of the work, not only to avoid every example and illustration, which might have an improper effect on the minds of youth; but also to introduce, on many occasions, such as have a moral and religious tendency. His attention to objects of so much importance will, he trusts, meet the approbation of every well-disposed reader. If they were faithfully regarded in all books of education, they would doubtless contribute very materially to the order and happiness of society, by guarding the innocence, and cherishing the virtue of the rising generation,