In the edition of 1828 Webster laid down the rule that verbs ending in a single consonant, but having the accent on the first syllable, or on a syllable preceding the last, ought not to double the final consonant in the derivatives. Thus he wrote _travel_, _traveler_, _traveling_. The editors of the latest edition find no occasion to revise this rule, and report that other lexicographers advise a conformity to it, but they record a large number of exceptions to satisfy "the prejudice of the eye." His corresponding rule is "that monosyllabic verbs, ending in a single consonant, not preceded by a long vowel, and other verbs ending in a single accented consonant, and of course not preceded by a long vowel, double the final consonant in all the derivatives which are formed by a termination beginning with a vowel." This applies to _fit_, _fitted_, _compel_, _compelled_. This rule, like the other, is retained by the later editors, though both rules are more exactly framed. No question has been raised upon this point, and the nice correspondence of the two rules is likely in process of time to break down those exceptions to the former which usage now makes familiar. Does the reader, when he writes, hesitate perilously before the words _distil_ or _distill_, _control_ or _controll_, _recal_ or _recall_? It can only be said that neither Webster nor his editors could frame a rule which they were ready to follow. They agree in their inconsistencies, and have brought over other lexicographers in some cases to their disposition to double the _l_. The indecision, however, which one feels before _skilful_ or _skillful_ is more painful,--are we to say _painfull_? Here again the first and latest editions of Webster are at one with each other, and at variance with old and established usage. The editors of Webster appear to yield the ground a little by conceding that _skilful_, _dulness_, and like words are so written by many. Webster's change in this respect seems therefore to have made no headway except in his own family. There are other words which may be grouped in classes, but I will content myself with a further enumeration, somewhat at random, of words which Webster trifled with, as his enemies might say, or reduced to order, as he would claim; placing in parallel columns the spelling adopted in the first edition and that followed in the latest:-- EDITION OF 1828. EDITION OF 1880. ax ax } axe} controller comptroller} controller } contemporary contemporary} cotemporary } defense defense} defence} ambassador embassador} ambassador} gantlet} gantlet } gauntlet} gauntlet} drouth drought group} group groop}