_a._ is a _Gutteral Vowel_, and the most Simple of all; the Key of the _Alphabet_, and therefore is by all Nations set first of all, excepting only (as far as I know) the _Abyssines_, by whom, as Ludolf testifieth, it is placed as the Thirteenth _Letter_. True indeed it may be pronounced by various Placings of the _Tongue_, yet the common, and most convenient is, that the _Tongue_ should be in its posture of rest; and then being gently stretched forth in the _Mouth_, it may only lightly, or not at all touch upon the utmost Border of the lower _Teeth_; if therefore the lower _Jaw_ be drawn downwards, and thereby the _Mouth_ be opened, that the _Voice_ formed in the _Throat_, strikes not neither against the _Teeth_, nor against the _Lips_, than a plain open [_a_] is heard, _e. i. j. y._ are _Dental Vowels_, or the _Voice_, which in coming forth, smites more or less against the _Teeth_; Hence it is that Infants, although they can say _Pappa, bo, &c._ yet can they not pronounce these Letters until they have Teeth, especially _the Cutters_, or _fore-Teeth_; and indeed [_e_] is formed, when the _Voice_, (the _Lips_ being gently opened), strikes against the _Teeth_ also moderately opened; now the posture of the _Tongue_ is such, that it somewhat presses on each side upon the _Dog-Teeth_ of the Inferior _Jaw_, for so the passage of the _Voice_ is made narrower, and the [_e_] much more clear. _i. j._ and _y._ are the same _Vowel_, pronounced one while more short, and another more long, nor doth it stand upon any Foundation, [_i_] sometimes doth become a _Consonant_, but then is pronounced only more swiftly, so as together with the following _Vowel_, it can make a _Diphthong_; but [_i_] is formed after the same manner almost, as [_e_] except that the _Teeth_ are for the most part, more stricken, and the _Tongue_ put close to the _Teeth_, the passage of the _Voice_ is rendred more strait, whence a more smart Sound also breaks forth, which notwithstanding, can sometimes be hardly distinguished from [_e_] [_y_,] also is [_i_] pronounced longer then usually, or [_i_] doubled. _o. u. w._ are _Labial Vowels_, that is, such as are formed by a different positure of the _Lips_; also [_o._] and [_u._] are different from one another, just as much as [_e._] and [_i_]: But [_w._] is to [_u._] just as _j._ is to [_i._] for indeed _a. u. w._ are formed, when the _Teeth_ and _Tongue_ keep the same posture; but the _Lips_ are more or less contracted, even as the _Teeth_ are in [_e._] and [_i._] and so when they are less stricken, [_o._] is produced, but when a little more [_u._] or [_w._]; but we ought carefully to beware, whilst [_o._] or [_u._] are pronounced, least the _Teeth_ should be seen; for else a certain kind of a soft _e._ will be mingled; and instead of _ö._ or _ü._ there will be produced _o._ or _u._ These Letters belong to the _French_, _au_ and _ou_, when nevertheless they are nothing else but _Diphthongs_, also _oe._ of the