[45] To prove the utility of accent in marking the signification of words, it is only necessary to advert to the two words _omission_ and _commission_. These words have the accent on the second syllable; but when we use them by way of contrast, we lay a strong accent on the first syllable of each, by which the opposition of sense is distinguished. "Sins of o'mission and com'mission." Thus when we use the word _regain_, we often lay an accent on _re_ almost equal to that on _gain_; because the sense of the word depends much, or rather wholly, on the particle. [46] In the following passage, alliteration or the similarity of the weak syllables, has a very bad effect. "We tread, as with_in an en_chanted circle, where nothing appears as it truly is."----Blair Serm. 9. A difficulty of pronunciation is obvious in the following sentence, "This caution while it _admirably_ protects the public liberty, can never bear hard upon individuals." Change the accent from the first to the second syllable of _admirably_, and the difficulty vanishes. "And yet the labyrinth is more _admirable than the_ Pyramids."----Trans. of Herodotus, Euterpe. [47] Except compounds, as _earthquake_, _bookcase_. [48] The final _e_ must be considered as the cause of this vulgar dialect. It is wished that some bold genius would dare to be right, and spell this class of words without _e_, _motiv_. By reason of an embarrassing orthography, one half the trouble of learning English, is bestowed in acquiring errors, and correcting them after they are formed into habits. To prevent the continuance of this erroneous practice, I have, in the first part of the Institute, distinguished the silent _e_, by an Italic character. [49] To remedy the evil, in some degree, this letter is named _er_, in the Institute. In a few instances this pronunciation is become general among polite speakers, as clerks, sergeant, &c. [50] Hence the surprising similarity between the idioms of the New England people and those of Chaucer, Shakespear, Congreve, &c. who wrote in the true English stile. It is remarked by a certain author, that the inhabitants of islands best preserve their native tongue. New England has been in the situation of an island; during 160 years, the people except in a few commercial towns, have not been exposed to any of the causes which effect great changes in language and manners. [51] I have once met with the word in Chaucer's Plowman's Tale 2014. "The other side ben pore and pale, And peple yput out of prese, And semin caitiffs sore a cale, And er in one without encrease; Iclepid Lollers and Londlese; Who _toteth_ on 'hem thei ben untall; They ben arayid all for pece, But falshed foule mote it befall."