Comparing the syllables _ga_ and _ka_, we see the affinity between the sounds, and we see it at the first glance. It lies on the surface, and strikes the ear at once. It is, however, very evident that ways might be devised, or might arise from accident, of concealing the likeness between the two sounds, or, at any rate, of making it less palpable. One of such ways would be a faulty mode of spelling. If instead of _ga_ we wrote _gha_ the following would be the effect: the syllable would appear less simple than it really was; it would look as if it consisted of three parts instead of two, and consequently its affinity to _ka_ would seem less than it really was. It is perfectly true that a little consideration would tell us that, as long as the sound remained the same, the relation {142} of the two syllables remained the same; and that, if the contrary appeared to be the case, the ear was misled by the eye. Still a little consideration would be required. Now in the English language we have, amongst others, the following modes of spelling that have a tendency to mislead:-- The sounds of _ph_ and of _f_, in _Philip_ and _fillip_, differ to the eye, but to the ear are identical. Here a difference is simulated. The sounds of _th_ in _thin_, and of _th_ in _thine_, differ to the ear, but to the eye seem the same. Here a difference is concealed. These last sounds appear to the eye to be double or compound. This is not the case; they are simple single sounds, and not the sounds of _t_ followed by _h_, as the spelling leads us to imagine. II. Besides improper modes of spelling, there is another way of concealing the true nature of sounds. If I say that _ka_ and _ga_ are allied, the alliance is manifest; since I compare the actual sounds. If I say _ka_ and _gee_ are allied, the alliance is concealed; since I compare, not the actual sounds, but only the names of the letters that express those sounds. Now in the English language we have, amongst others, the following names of letters that have a tendency to mislead:-- The sounds _fa_ and _va_ are allied. The names _eff_ and _vee_ conceal this alliance. The sounds _sa_ and _za_ are allied. The names _ess_ and _zed_ conceal the alliance. In comparing sounds it is advisable to have nothing to do either with letters or names of letters. Compare the sounds themselves. In many cases it is sufficient, in comparing consonants, to compare syllables that contain those consonants; _e.g._, to determine the relations of _p_, _b_, _f_, _v_, we say _pa_, _ba_, _fa_, _va_; or for those of _s_ and _z_, we say _sa_, _za_. Here we compare _syllables_, each consonant being followed by a vowel. At times this is insufficient. We are often obliged to isolate the consonant from its vowel, and bring our organs to utter (or half utter) imperfect sounds of _p'_, _b'_, _t'_, _d'_. In doing this we isolate the consonant. {143}