New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-12-07
To the Phi,oiosers, Literati, sc.

of YORK.
The subscriber having tor many years maze Inc
subject of the English language an object OF IN
sense study and rigid investigation, was at length
obped to come to the startling conclusion, that, no
author of import, either living or dead, who has
given the world the benefit ofhls knowledge on the
subject, not only did not underestimate. as whole,
but actually did not know vowel from conson-
ant. or. if he did, must be mlsanthroplst who
never enlightened the world on the matter. l
pledge myself to give proof substantial OF this
position. shall take the character w double
your for instance, which phllologers say IS
sometimes vowel, sometimes a cohsonant. Now say
doubley on is ehe vowel consonaut, under any cl'
cumstaace any position whatever, aud stu! more
will prove both phiosophicaiy and logically to the COM
ple, and entire satisfaction Of learned and appropriated
mind And order do so, 1t Is FIRST necessary 10 Kno"
what is aud what copsonant IS that we may aSceI
tain TO which class time belong and not quarrel
until know what tbs aguneat ls-as knowledge o any
thing O. which We ignorant generally attained by
definition aud this aIot4ry Sign Can only De known
BY definition shall therefore give the received
definition vowel and consonant. Il vowel is simple
articulate sound formed by the continued euson OF ne
breath and conformation OF the organs OF speech
without any alteration III their position or motion from the
moment the vocal sound c.mmences till 1t ends con-
sonant is simple artcuiate sound formed by nrerrup
lion or contact Of the Of speech and farther let the
definition of " letter. be given viz the representation
of sound" That letter is the representation OF sound
none can deny but how it represents IT, matter with
which few thoroughly conversaut.
Let me hen show that names 6 letters IN
order to determine ter sounds and that for this purpose
the English Alphabet was consuctea and, indeed Is
for this far superior TO known Alphabet IN
she world having than enough OF Characters 10 repre-
every simple sound in the language, winch lew other
languages boast shall then show briefly as posi-
bIe that the given TO determine the sound Tor
whatever organs of speech used or come IN contact IN
pronouneng the Of tic letter. MUST DC used N come
in contact when that letter used the composition OF
word To illustrate, this BY few examples take the letter
.B, which is formed BY the OF the laps, aud
rbs 20 ne
Now confidently there Is not one WORD III the
compass of the English language in which ~ occurs ou'
the lips contact and the same organs whlch
wee used in pronouncug the the reader Will easily
perceive by repeating the word III which is. AXE any
other letter-suppose which is formed by the contact
OF the top Of tongue and the upper palate at the butt oil
the teeth let the reader endeavor to pronounce any
word in which D without such contact aud he will fad
it equally impossible Let similar trial be made on every
letter through the Alphabet (ow that Zed called
Z-e) and will undoubtedly my position Now let
By the foregoing analysis the only criterion
10 determine II it be vowel there eau Be no
interruption alteration contact 10 The organ OF speech
from the the sounl commences I'LL it ends Is such
the easel We Hd only Is there one interruption or con-
Of the organs but three distinct and paipaoe o"e VIZ
ID, in the syllable dou' b and = in "-besides,
the vowel sounds in It's compoon agserab TO my theory
aud hence c,nnot De vowel. Next say II Is not con-
sonaut; for il be, sound ph vows-the very
nature and esseace OF ant beng 70 SOUND i9a ana
be distinctly heard whe prehSed atxedas abb ba,
'eb, be,'' ID, biz 'ob, no. uh, bu, which the SQUAD
OF each is heard aistucty but philooser, however
eg,egiousiy mistaken ridcuouy absurd place
this hermaprodlle character thus: wd dw 'wb, bw
tw ascertn its aud determine power either
vowel consonant; aud the VINO pronounce DIV
'wd possesses powers Of discrimination and faculties
regarding sound and slaacatioa. which can boast
claim whatever cit sa conscnan; when il beg word
syllaSe," say they. la wa, We, 'wi 'wo,' II IS
therefore consonant ask where is the interruption OF
the voice, the contact in the speech Oh but
exclaim the learned phloogers, 10 these Instances
those syllabes dipthongs"-that is and
vowel united make two novels, dphtong, whe,he,
this be rational deduction logical conclusion shall
let the reader determine, thus sse whether pre-
fixed or affixed vowel, there is contact nc
absolute Interruption of the
uueqaivocay and erphstieay requires, aad which he
ha, BEEN be, single solitary exception
1t is therefore aud have before proved
vowel represents sound aud is therefore no letter
for the organs i: the used III any wor
IN which is. have therefore proved 10 demonstration
that IL Is no letter. aGi though the universal proves the par
.ieular so father aua prove neither sowe! nor
Blu; the real aud nominal essence OF Al
arbitrary signs and mixed modes the sans,
change the this character order
proper place slphahet, Cor il ayowe!
never could be consou2al aud vice versa.
conclnde for TIE present hoping remarks will
be received that dictates thema sincere ds
TO add something the Tcrabc OF letters, depeci
ate r.pudate the merits Of those learned whose
MUS shed lusise the subject, and whom the world
indebted Most respectfully. sc. SC.
JAMES DIVER, SIS Crosby street