Under the head of dipthongs we may perhaps range _wa_, _we_, _wo_, _wi_, &c. _W_ has nearly the short sound of _oo_; for _will_, _dwell_ are pronounced as if written _ooill_, _dooell_. It is a controverted point, whether _w_ should be classed with the vowels or consonants. I shall only observe, that it is pronounced by opening the mouth, without a contact of the parts; altho, in a rapid pronunciation, it approaches to a consonant.[I] It is however very immaterial, whether we class it with the vowels or consonants; as all grammarians agree that its sound is that of _oo_ short. It ought to be named _oo_ or _we_; which would save children much of the trouble they now experience, in learning its proper sound from that awkward name _double u_. The sound of _y_ in the beginning of words, is, by some writers, called a vowel, but by most of them a consonant. Lowth has asserted, that it has every property of a vowel and not one of a consonant. Sheridan considers _y_ in _youth_, _year_, &c. as the short _ee_. But if these writers would attend to the manner in which we pronounce _yes_, _ye_, they would acknowlege that _y_ has some property different from _ee_; for it is very evident that they are not pronounced _ee-es_, _ee-e_. The fact is, that in the American pronunciation of _y_, the root of the tongue is pressed against the upper part of the mouth, above the palate, more closely than it is in pronouncing _ee_, and not so closely as in pronouncing _g_ hard. The transition however from _y_ to _ee_ or to _g_, is extremely easy, and hence the mistake that _y_ is short _ee_, as also the convertibility of _y_ with _g_.[J] It appears to me that _y_ in the beginning of words, is more clearly a consonant than _w_. In many words, _i_ has the power of _y_ consonant; particularly after _l_ and _n_; as _filial_, _union_. The vowels therefore in English are all heard in the following words; late, half, hall, feet, pool, note, tun, fight, truth. The five first have short sounds or duplicates; which may be heard in let, hat, hot, fit, pull; and the letters _i_ and _u_ are but accidentally vowels. The pure primitive vowels in English are therefore seven. The dipthongs may be heard in the following words; lie or defy, due, voice or joy, round or now. To these we may add _ua_ in _persuade_; and perhaps the combinations of w and the vowels, in _well_, _will_, &c.