DIVISION OF WORDS INTO SYLLABLES.

25. Every word has as many syllables as separate vowels and diphthongs. A correct division is at

tained, therefore, when the consonants are united with their proper vowels and diphthongs.

RULES FOR THE DIVISION OF WORDS INTO SYLLABLES.

RULE 1.

When a consonant occurs between two vowels, it should be joined with the latter syllable; as, desire, reform, renounce. Exc. In compound words the consonant is joined with the former syllable; as, uneven, unoccupied.

RULE 2.

Two consonants occurring together, adapted to begin a syllable, should not be separated; as, rifle, noble, gracious.

RULE 3.

Two consonants occurring between two vowels and not adapted to begin a syllable, should be separated; as, efficient, ebbing, error, utmost.

RULE 4.

Three consonants occurring in the middle of a word adapted to begin a word, the preceding vowel being long, should not be separated; as, describe, dethrone. But when the preceding vowel is short, one of the consonants should be joined with it; as, distrust, entangle, contract.

RULE 5.

If three or more consonants, not adapted to begin a word,

FIRST COURSE.

How many syllables have all words?

SECOND COURSE.

What is the first rule for the division of words into syllables? What, the second? What, the third? What, the fourth? What, the fifth?

occur between two vowels, those that can properly begin a syllable belong to the latter, the rest to the former syllable; as, abbreviate, congress, transgress.

RULE 6.

Two vowels coming together, and not being diphthongs, should be divided into separate syllables; as, denial, society.

RULE 7.

Compound words should be divided into the simple words of which they are composed; as, undergo, oversee.

RULE 8.

Grammatical and other particular terminations are generally separated from the principal word; as, teachest, teaching, teacher, greater, falsehood.

RULE 9.

A word at the end of a line may be divided if neceesary, but a syllable never should be divided.

SPELLING.

§ 26. Spelling is expressing words by their proper letters.

REM. This subject is attended with much difficulty and uncertainty, because all do not regard the same standard and the same rules of orthography. Different lexicographers and authors sometimes spell the same word differently, and many words are not spelled according to the analogy of similar words. A correct knowledge of spelling must, therefore, be acquired principally from the spelling-book and dictionary, and from a strict attention in reading. The following general rules may render some assistance to the scholar in acquiring a knowledge of this subject.

What is spelling?

FIRST COURSE.

SECOND COURSE.

What is the sixth rule for the division of words into syllables? What, the seventh? What, the eighth? What, the ninth ?

RULES FOR SPELLING.

RULE 1.

Monosyllables ending with ƒ, l, or s, preceded by a single vowel, double the final consonant; as, staff, mill, pass; except of, if, is, has, yes, was, gas, his, this, us and thus.

False Orthography.

A staf is often a support to the aged. But the chaf he will burn with fire unquenchable. The mil was swept away by the flood. Newton was a man of wisdom. There is little attained in any pursuit iff there be no vigorous effort. Washington distinguished himself ass a patriot. The nature of man iss complex. The winter hass been very mild. Troy wass. Hydrogen gass.

Are you studying the natural honor that he especially regards. uss not be deceived by flattery. passeth away.

sciences? Yess. It is hiss Thiss life iss uncertain. Let Thuss the glory of the world

RULE 2.

When words end with any other consonant than ƒ, l, or s, the final letter is not doubled; as, war, penmanship; except add, ebb, odd, egg, inn, err, burr, purr, butt, buzz, and some proper names.

False Orthography.

Warr is a great scourge to man. A thingg cannot be and not be att the same time. Superior scholarshipp is attained onlyy by greatt effortt. James was an od child. The seas eb and floww once eachh dayy. The crocodile is produced from an eg. An in in Persia is similar to a tavern in America. To er is human.

RULE 3.

I final, preceded by a consonant, is changed into i before an additional syllable; as, happy, happier; easy, easier.

SECOND COURSE.

What is the first rule for spelling? What, the second? What, the

carry, carriest; merry, merriest; except before ing, y is retained, that it may not be doubled; as, study, studying; carry, carrying. When words end with ie, the e is dropped, and i is changed into y; as, lie, lying; die, dying.

False Orthography.

John was happyer than his brother James. It is easyer to tell what we shall do than to do it. An Elephant often carryes heavy burthens upon his back. The boys are studiing. The birds are fliing. I saw a drunkard liing in the street. "By faith, Isaac, when he was diing, blessed both the sons of Jacob." Heb. xi. 21.

RULE 4.

When y final is preceded by a vowel, it is not changed upon assuming an additional letter or syllable; as, toy, toys; alloy, alloying; except lay, say, pay, from which are formed laid, said, paid; and their compounds unlaid, unsaid, unpaid, etc.

False Orthography.

Children are delighted with tois. Ye vallies rise. The wais of virtue are pleasant. Monkeis in some respects resemble a human being. Pray alwais.

RULE 5.

When monosyllables and words accented on the last syllable, end with a single consonant preceded by a vowel, their final consonant is doubled before an additional syllable beginning with a vowel; as, job, jobber; begin, beginning; thin, thinnish; general, generally. But "x final, being equivalent to ks, is never doubled."

False Orthography.

Error is often commited inadvertently. A father regreted deeply the loss of his son. The fear of the Lord is the begining of wisdom. Many are admited to stations of respectability and honor who possess neither worth nor desert. pened a few lines as a sample of his style of writing.

SECOND COURSE.

What is the fourth rule for spelling? What, the fifth?

He

RULE 6.

When a final consonant is preceded by a diphthong, or when the accent is on the preceding syllable, it should not be doubled before an additional syllable; as, toil, toiling; offer, offering; visit, visited.

False Orthography.

Toilling I cry, sweet spirit, come! The heathen worship their idols with offerrings. We visitted the museum. The prolixxity of his discourse was tedious. He grovelled in the dirt.

RULE 7.

Final e is usually omitted before an additional syllable beginning with a vowel; as, note, notable; rove, roving; except when words end with le and ge; the e is retained before able or ous to preserve the soft sound of e and g; as, charge. chargeable; peace, peaceable; outrage, outrageous.

False Orthography.

He was a noteable man.

Judas was a noteable character. This is a loveing child. Man is usually hopeing for the better. Many are chargable with crimes. A peacable temper is of great value.

RULE 8.

When words end with any double letter and take ness, less, ly, or ful, after them, the letter is preserved doubled; as, hopeless, hopelessness; success, successful. Except fulfil, in which one / is omitted.

False Orthography.

In order to be succesful we must be energetic and persevering; for the hopelesness of despair accomplishes nothing. He acknowledged his error fuly and entirely. He fullfilled to the very letter, all that he had promised.

RULE 9.

E final is usually retained before additional syllables be

SECOND COURSE.

What is the sixth rule for spelling? What, the seventh? What, the eighth? What, the ninth?