We venture to recommend1 the omission of u in all these words, and for the following reasons.-It is useless to the orthography, opposed to etymology, and contrary, rather than otherwise, to analogy. For example, in most of the words derived from them the u is omitted; as in Honorary Humorsome SENTENCES FOR DICTATION. The allies encamped in the valleys below. The attorneys made frequent journeys down. As befitting his exalted station and character, he omitted no opportunity of benefiting mankind. After repeated sallies from the lanes and alleys, they were repulsed and dislodged. He offered to mould it in pewter, but I preferred one of plain lead. It should be added, however, that we seldom venture to follow our own recommendation in this respect. "In words as fashion the same rule will hold, Be not the first by whom the new are tried, I omitted to state that I visited him several times. I regretted to hear sentiments so bigoted and besotted, and, upon expressing my regret, the eyes of all present were riveted upon me. He proffered me his assistance on the occasion, but I preferred to act for myself. He mounted the piebald pony, and galloped away. At the last conference' the president conferred great honour upon him. Shall I envelop it in a cover, or send it without an envelope? The misfortunes of that dissipated and dissolute young man deserve no commiseration. Though all his friends interceded in his behalf, he was superseded. I will not recede; on the contrary, I will proceed. It is almost unnecessary to observe that he was not benefited by such counsels; nay, he was unfitted by them for his situation. The vessel, having unshipped her rudder, became unmanageable. WORDS ERRONEOUSLY SPELLED. [To vary the exercise, the teacher should occasionally exhibit lists of words erroneously spelled, to be corrected in writing by the pupils, such as:] Attornies, heavyness, holyday, driness, robery, commital, untill, chillness, ilness, abridgement, stoney, sensless, unbiased, agreable, havock, haddoc, traffick, trafficing, recieve, beleive, misstake, mistate, portible, indelable, dispair, delute, enquire, inclose, truely, wholely, tranquility, dipthong, staunch, baulk, gossipping, worshiping, &c. 1 Conference.--In this word the r is not doubled, because the accent is on the preceding syllable. Compare pref'erence, pref'erable, preferred; in'ference, infer'rible or in'ferable, infer'red ref'erence, refer'rable, &c. 1 The writer, in his "Dictionary of Derivations," has attempted to settle the orthography of these words. But as his reasons, which are drawn chiefly from the etymology of the words, cannot, with propriety, be given in a book intended for elementary schools, the more advanced student is referred to that work. In the present case, the more usual orthography is put first. 2 Abridgement.—See the Exceptions to Rule V., page 96. 3 Accountant.-Usage, pronunciation, and analogy are in favour of Account and Accountant, except when the words are officially applied; as "Clerk of the Accompts," "Accomptant-General." Custom has made a similar distinction between the words CONTROLLER and Comptroller, REGISTER and Registrar. These distinctions are however unnecessary, and the tendency is to discontinue them.-Dictionary of Derivations. 4 Some of these words are applied in special or different senses. For example, emend is restricted to the correction of a literary work; while amend means to reform or improve generally. Again, bass is restricted to music; while base is used generally. 1 Chap.-When applied to the hands, usage requires Chap, which is usually pronounced as if written Chop. The confusion between these words is produced by the broad sound of a, which approaches to o; as in ball, all, wall, &c. Hence the two forms of this word. Compare, also, Slabber and Slobber. 2 Chastely. See Rule V., page 95. 3 Comptroller.-See note on Accountant, page 103. Draught.-We should never write draft, except when the term is applied to the drawing of money or troops. 5 Insure has a special meaning.-See page 99, No. 3. |