The first
Orb contains _Prepositions_ and small _Mono-Syllables_, with which
_Nouns_ and _Verbs_ are compounded; the second, the _Initial Letters_;
the third, _Vowels_ and _Diphthongs_; the fourth, the _Final Letters_;
lastly, all the _German Terminations_.
But there seems to be a great difficulty, that some Letters, as _e._
and _i. a._ and _u._ are uttered by the same opening of the Mouth, and
consequently they must needs be confounded; but in good truth, it's of
small moment, because for the most part the difference is not heeded,
and the Letters, which according to their nature, are by far, more
different, are written almost after the same manner, chiefly when they
are pronounced hastily, as _m._ and _n. r._ and _n. a._ and _o. &c._
which yet puts no stop to an exercised _Reader_.
Others object, that the _Deaf_ thus taught, will, it may be,
understand no Body but my self: Indeed, this difficulty Teems to have
something of weight in it; but we must know, that Menst Men pronounce
most Letters badly alike, and write their Characters negligently; but
with such a one who learns to speak, it is all one as it is with him,
who is taught to read other Men's Writings: For first, he can scarce
read any thing but what is written by his Master, and then the
Writings of his School-fellows; and lastly, there is nothing which he
cannot read, tho' very badly written, it is therefore not to be
wondred at, if those I teach to speak, do at the beginning more easily
understand me, than others; (for I pronounce the Letters in their full
_extension_) and not _lamely_ (as many are wont to do) and after that
they come to understand their Domesticks and Familiars, and at last,
any Body.
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