These two compound sounds are formed by combining the sound of t with that of sh, and the sound of d with that of zh, respectively. Hence the real sound of the ch in chest, is that of tsh, or nearly so. Thus : *The letter y has sometimes the power of a vowel, as in merry ; sometimes of a semi-vowel, as in yet. Sometimes, too, it is sounded as the i in pine, in which case it is a Diphthong. And the real sound of the j in jest is that of dzh, or nearly so. Thus: The arrangement of sounds, as far as we have hitherto gone, is a natural arrangement; that is, vowels are arranged with vowels, consonants with consonants, mutes with mutes, liquids with liquids, and cognate sounds with cognate sounds. It will soon be seen that, besides the natural arrangement of the sounds of a language, there is an artificial arrangement as well; or if not artificial, one which at the first view appears to be so. Sounds are capable of being expressed in writing by signs. These signs are seen by the eye, whilst sounds are heard by the ear. Figures like b, h, f, that represent sounds, are called letters. The figures of the letters are as follows: 5 Vowels-a, e, i, o, u. 2 Semi-vowels-y, w. 10 Mutes-p, b, f, v, t, d, k, g, s, z. 1 Aspirate-h. 4 Liquids-l, m, n, r. 1 Double sound—j. 3 Superfluous letters—c, q, x. Words like bee, eff, aitch, &c., are the names of letters. The names of the letters are as follows: 5 Vowels-a, e, i, o, you, wy. 2 Semi-vowels-double-you, wy. 10 Mutes-bee, dee, eff, gee, kay, pee, ess, tee, vee, zed (or izzard). 4 Liquids-el, em, en, err. 1 Aspirate-aitch. 1 Double letter-jay (dzhay). 3 Superfluous letters-see, cue, eks. § 278. The letters of the English language are twenty-six in number, their form, order, and names being as follows: |