I proceed now to examin a mode of pronouncing certain words, which prevails in England and some parts of America, and which, as it extends to a vast number of words, and creates a material difference between the orthography and pronunciation, is a matter of serious consequence. To attack established customs is always hazardous; for mankind, even when they see and acknowlege their errors, are seldom obliged to the man who exposes them. The danger is encreased, when an opposition is made to the favorite opinions of the great; for men, whose rank and abilities entitle them to particular respect, will sooner dismiss their friends than their prejudices. Under this conviction, my present situation is delicate and embarrassing: But as some sacrifices must often be made to truth; and as I am conscious that a regard to truth only dictates what I write, I can sincerely declare, it is my wish to inform the understanding of every man, without wounding the feelings of an individual. The practice to which I allude, is that of pronouncing _d_, _t_, and _s_ preceding _u_; which letter, it is said, contains the sound of _e_ or _y_ and _oo_; and that of course _education_ must be pronounced _edyucation_; _na__ture_, _natyure_; and _superior_, _syuperior_: From the difficulty of pronouncing which, we naturally fall into the sound of _dzh_, _tsh_, and _sh_: Thus education becomes _edzhucation_ or _ejucation_; nature becomes _natshure_ or _nachure_; and superior becomes _shuperior_. How long this practice has prevailed in London, I cannot ascertain. There are a few words, in which it seems to have been universal from time immemorial; as, _pleasure_, and the other words of that analogy. But I find no reason to suppose the practice of pronouncing _nature_, _duty_, _nachure_, _juty_, prevailed before the period of Garrick's reputation on the stage. On the other hand, the writers on the language have been silent upon this point, till within a few years; and Kenrick speaks of it as a _Metropolitan pronunciation_, supported by _certain mighty fine speakers_,[68] which implies that the practice is modern, and proves it to be local, even in Great Britain. But the practice has prevailed at court and on the stage for several years, and the reputation of a Garrick, a Sheridan and a Siddons, has given it a very rapid and extensive diffusion in the polite world. As the innovation is great and extends to a multitude of words, it is necessary, before we embrace the practice in its utmost latitude, to examin into its propriety and consequences. The only reasons offered in support of the practice, are, the English or Saxon sound of _u_, which is said to be _yu_; and _euphony_, or the agreeableness of the pronunciation.