From this rule, the English except also _[2a]ngel_, _[2a]ncient_. In this all the standard authors agree, except Kenrick and Burn, who mark _a_ in _ancient_ both long and short. The English pronunciation is followed in the middle and southern states; but the eastern universities have restored these words to the analogy of the language, and give _a_ its second sound. It is presumed that no reason can be given for making these words exceptions to the general rule, but practice; and this is far from being universal, there being many of the best speakers in America, who give _a_, in the words mentioned, the same sound as in _anguish_, _annals_, _angelic_, _antiquity_. The practice of the eastern universities therefore should be encouraged, rather than discountenanced; as it diminishes the number of anomalies. I shall only remark further, that _a_ in these words must formerly have had its third or fourth sound; which is evident from the old orthography; for angel, at least, was spelt like _grant_, _command_, &c. _aungel_, _graunt_, _commaund_. In giving _a_ its first sound therefore, the modern English have not only infringed the rule of analogy, but have deviated from former practice. In the word _chamber_, _a_ has its fourth sound. It is necessary to remark this; as there are many people in America, who give _a_ its first sound, which is contrary to analogy and to all the English authorities. With regard to accent, that particular stress of voice which should distinguish some syllable of a word from others, three things are to be considered; the importance of the syllable; the derivation of the word; and the terminating syllable. The importance of a syllable is discovered by resolving a word into the parts which compose it, or reducing it to its radicals. Thus _sensible_ is derived from _sensus_ in Latin or _sense_ in English. The first syllable therefore is that on which the meaning of the word principally depends; the others being an accessary termination. The first syllable then is the most important and requires the accent. For the same reason, _admire_, _compare_, _destroy_, &c. have the accent on the second syllable in preference to the first; the last syllables being all derived from verbs, and the first being mere particles.[41] Another rule for laying the accent of words arises from derivation. Thus all words that take the terminations _ing_, _ful_, _less_, _ness_, _ed_, _est_, _ist_, _ly_, retain the accent on the syllable where it is laid in their primitives; as _proceed_, _proceeding_, _wonder_, _wonderful_, &c.