Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-01
English Orthcgraphy.

6nSII6H 0TtnC9TdpHys
The name of John Brown is one not
unknown In connection with the
pioneer work Of great reforms in
American history. The hero OF
Ossawatomie and Harper's Ferry fills
a larger niche in the hall of fame than
is yet given John Brown Of Freeport,
Maine, but the latter is none the less a
pioneer waging a great battle with in
domitable courage and firm convic-
tions. The work Of simplifying the
spelling of the English language Is his
mission, and though he has passed his
Saith birthday there Is no cessation OF
the zeal or skill with which he wages
his battle. We have just received
from Mr.. Brown copy Of his latest
pamphlet on the subject, and it's ~
pages are filled with matter which Is
interesting and suggestive to all who
recognize-as every intelligent person
must-the deficiencies and incon-
gruities Of our photography.
The recognition of the many faults
in our system of spelling is nothing
new. Men like jefferson, Gladstone.
Charles Sumner and Lord Lytton, have
deplored them and longed for sys-
tenn which should be simple and con-
sistent, with harmony between the
spoken and written word. There have
been many attempts at reform, but
few were based on the right princi-
pals. Most Of them have simply made
a bad matter worse and have been
justly rejected and ridiculed. People
look with much suspicion upon such
reforms. and the race Is SO conserva-
tive in changes of this kind that re-
form is next to impossible. The for
eigner learning the various sounds of
'ough." and the child struggling ~ IN
derstand why the simple sound "a i
expressed by no fewer than IA other
letters and combinations of letters, car
easily see the need of simpliScatior
and consistency, but grown up people
having once learned to spell, do no
realize how absurd it is that ay, ei
eigh, ey, eye, Ugh, lie, OF, vi, ay and
should all, in various words, have tn
sound of a."
Frankly we expect that = MI
Browns system of spelling, in spite o
its merits and the sound principle
upon which 1t is based, will share tn
fate of previous attempts to reform
the English language. 1t may be tina
our photography will some day b
what 1t ought to be, simple, consfsten
and according to fixed rules, but b.
that time the mellinium will come an
there will not be any need to bottle
with spelling. But Mr.. Brown is>hope
full and urges teachers, editors and a
others to spread the gospel of his ne'
system among men until there is ligll
in what Is now darkness.
In his system five letter have tw
sounds each, and one has three SOUNDS
each sound of a letter being readil
distinguishable in reading. There al
also ten compound letters, eac
formed from two single ones, most
these being already used in the CON
of
simple or compound. except the 81
yowels first mentioned, has its or
sound, and only one, and that sound
never given to any other letter. Iht
there are no substitute letters
equivalents. He laments that thel
are not Al letters to represent the
elementary sounds in the languag
hut makes use of the existing alphaoe
dropping "a and az" The result ca
best be shown by the following versio
of America" taken from among tn
samples in his pamphlet TO illustra'
his proposed system:
Mi kuntri, tits of thee
Cweet land ov l1bcfu,
Ov thee | cling:
Land hwaer mi feathers died!
Lana ov the Pilgrims pried!
From every, mounten cied
Let freedum ring.
Mi nactiv kuntri. thee.
Land ov the noebl, FIRE.
Thi naem l luv:
/ luv thi rokc and rils
Thi woods and ,templd hills:
Mi haart with rapcher ttrils
Lick that -abuv.
Let muesik cwel the brees.
And ring from aul the trees.
Cweet freedum's cong;
Let mortal lungs awaek;
Let aul that breeth paartaek,
Let rokc thaer cilenc braek,
The cound prolong.
Our Fathers God! too Thee,
Auttor ov liberti,
Too Thee we cing;
Long ma our land be brict
With freedum's hoeli liet;
Protekt NC bl thi inlet.
Graet God, our King!
So President Diaz is to be re-electe