1.--Two consonants of the _same kind_ with no vowel between, provided they have the _same_ sound, are treated as one consonant, as "ll" = 5, "nn" = 2, "rr" = 4, "dd" = 1, &c. The first two consonants have different values in the word "accident" = 70121.

2.--All _silent_ consonants are _disregarded_, as "b" in "Lam_b_" = 53, "Com_b_" = 73, or in "Tom_b_" = 13. "_Ph_" and "_h_"

in "_Ph_t_h_isic" = 107; "_gh_" in Bou_gh_t = 91; "_k_" in _K_now = 2; "_gh_" in Nei_gh_bours = 2940; "l" in Cou_l_d = 71, or in Psa_l_m = 03.

3.--The _equivalents_ of the figure-consonants have the _same value_ as those consonants themselves, as "gh" in "{T}ou{gh}" = 18, "gh"

in E{n}ou{gh} = 28; "gh" in {R}ou{gh} = 48. "{Ph}{r}a{s}e" = 840, "{N}y{mph}" = 238, "{L}o{ck}" = 57. "N" sometimes sounds like ng, and so represents 7, as in "Bank" (977) which _sounds_ like "bang" (not "ban") with a "k" after it; ng are not always taken together as one sound and translated into 7, but when they sound separately are treated separately, as in engage = 276[D]. X = gs or ks = 70, as in example = 70395; in oxygen = 7062. Sometimes X = Z, as in Xerxes = 04700, and then it = 0. Ci and ti, and sometimes si and sci = sh, as gracious = 7460; Nation = 262; Conscience = 72620. Dge = j, as in Ju{dge} = 66. Tch = ch = 6, as in ditch = 16 (it rhymes with rich = 46). Ch sometimes = k, as in {Ch}ristmas = 74030. S and z sometimes = zh, which is the cognate equivalent of sh = 6, as in pleasure = 9564, and in Crozier = 7464. Acquiesce = 70, excrescence = 7074020.

[D] Pupils who have a poor ear for sounds sometimes fail to note when "n" sounds like "ng" and so means 7 instead of 2. Let them study the words "ringer" (474), "linger" (5774), and "ginger" (6264). The first syllable of "linger" rhymes with the first of "ringer" and not with the first of "ginger;" it rhymes with "ring" and not with "gin;" and if the first syllable of "ringer" is 47, the first of "linger" must be 57; but the second syllable of "linger" is "ger," while the second syllable of "ringer" is only "er." So "linger" is p.r.o.nounced as if spelled "ling-ger," the "n" sounds like "ng." "Ringer" is p.r.o.nounced "ring-er," and "ginger" as if spelled "gin-ger."

1. When will facility be attained?

2. Are these rules to be carefully studied?

3. Repeat the first rule.

4. What value is given to silent consonants?

5. What have the same value as the consonants themselves?

6. What does the consonant "N" sometimes sound like?

7. What value is a.s.signed to it in such cases?

8. What is the consonant X equal to?

4.--No notice is taken of any _vowel_ or of w (war = 4) or y (yoke = 7), or of h (the = 1) except as part of ch or sh. Words like Weigh, Whey, &c., having no figure values, are never counted.

If one word ends with, and the next word begins with, the _same_ consonant, they are both reckoned, as That Toad = 1111.

HOW TO DEAL WITH DECIMAL FRACTIONS.

The pupil may skip the next paragraph if not wishing to deal with decimals.

[As a rule, it is better not to use words _beginning_ with S, except to translate _decimals_ and _fractions_, and Date-words where a _doubt_ might otherwise arise (unless in a phrase like "To see Jiji," "delay a spy," &c.); and in case of the _decimals_, S, as the _initial_ letter, means (not 0, but) the decimal point. (1) If there is an integer followed by a decimal, two separate words are used; the decimal-word begins with S, thus: 945.51 = barley sold; 71.3412 = "good Samaritan."

(2) If it is a decimal by itself, the S indicates the decimal point only; .01 = society; .02 = Susan; .94 = sparrow. (3) If it is a vulgar fraction, the words translating numerator and denominator begin with S, and the S's are not counted, the numerator-word coming first, and the denominator-word last; thus 5/12 = sell Satan.]

As to Date-words, just _before_ the Christian Era you may use an initial S [or the vowel A, or any other vowel], as, Stir would mean 14 B.C.

[Before Christ]; and, of course, Tower would mean 14 A.D. [for _Anno Domini_--in the year of our Lord]; Soar = 4 B.C., and Rue = 4 A.D. In a Date-word like Trial, to express 145 B.C., no doubt could arise; if the Pupil knows the contemporary history, he could not imagine it could be 290 later, or 145 A.D. If he fears he might not remember that it was B.C. he could remove all doubt by using the word Stroll, or any other word which translates 145 and begins with S.

1. Do we ever take any notice of a vowel?

2. Are there any words which do not have a figure value, and if so, what are they?

3. When do we use the letter "S" in dealing with decimals?

4. When does "S" indicate the decimal point?

5. When are two separate words used?

6. In such cases, with what does the decimal word begin?

7. In case of a vulgar fraction, what words begin with "S"?

8. Are the S's then counted?

9. Which word comes first?

10. How may we deal with date-words which express the time of events before the Christian Era?

11. After?

For convenience of reference I now give the figure Alphabet tabulated.

--------+----+---+---+---+---+--------+--------+---+---- 0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 --------+----+---+---+---+---+--------+--------+---+---- S

t

n

m

r

l

sh

g^hard

f

b Z

th

j

k

v

p C^soft

d

ch

c^hard

g^soft

q

ng

--------+----+---+---+---+---+--------+--------+---+----

If the pupil has mastered the Figure Alphabet he will proceed with the greatest satisfaction and profit. If he has not mastered it, let him carefully review the foregoing pages of this chapter, and then he can advance with the a.s.surance of meeting no difficulties.

1. Write the Figure Alphabet from memory.

2. If the pupil has not thoroughly mastered this alphabet, what is required of him?

3. If the pupil must review the foregoing six pages, let him find words himself which spell the figures.

4. Is not such a course much better than merely to read over the examples and ill.u.s.trations which I give?

5. Is it easy to find words with which to translate dates and numbers?

HOW TO FIND WORDS WITH WHICH TO TRANSLATE DATES AND NUMBERS.

It is a simple and easy process; knowing exactly what consonants are used to represent each of the numbers, you simply write at the side of the numbers to be turned into words the consonants which stand for them; and using any vowels you please, you find out by experimenting what words can translate the figures. Suppose you wish to find out what words will translate the date of the settlement of Jamestown, Va., 1607. You place the figures under each other as below, and then you place at the right hand of each figure the consonants which translate it.

1 = t, th, d.

6 = sh, j, ch, g soft (as in gem), 0 = s, z, c soft (as in cease).

7 = g hard, k, c hard, q, and ng.

By experimenting you soon find the following phrases will represent 1607; as, "A {D}u{tch} {S}o{ng}," "{D}a{sh} a {S}a{ck}," "{T}o wa{sh} a {S}o{ck}," "{Th}e {Ch}oo{s}i{ng}," "{Th}e {Ch}a{s}i{ng}," "{T}ou{ch}e{s} a {K}ey," &c.

Try the date of the adoption of the Const.i.tution of the United States, 1787. Writing down the numbers as before, you place t, th, d, opposite 1; g hard, k, c hard, q, ng, opposite 7; f and v, opposite 8; g hard, k, c hard, q, and ng, opposite 7; and then you soon find translating words, as follows: "{T}o {g}i{v}e a {K}ey," "{Th}e {g}i{v}i{ng}," "{Th}e {q}ua{f}fi{ng}," "{Th}e {C}ou{gh}i{ng}," &c.

In all cases you must carefully comply with the rules and explanations heretofore given. A little practice will enable you to dispense with writing down the figures and the consonants which represent them; but at first pains must be taken in the above way to secure accuracy.

1. What would be your method of procedure?

2. What must be done in all cases?

3. What will a little practice enable you to do?

4. What must be done to secure accuracy at first?

5. Deal with an original date in the way indicated here.

6. In dealing with the date of the foundation of Yale College, would the phrase "taxes due" express 1701?

7. If not, why?

8. Can you translate into a word or phrase the date of your own birth?

9. Translate into words or phrases the birth and death dates of some of the historic characters which you admire most.

10. Keep a record of these words or phrases for future examination.

Try 1636, the date of the founding of Harvard College: You obtain "{D}a{sh} a {m}i{dg}e," "{Th}e {ch}u{m} a{g}e," "{T}ea{ch} {m}u{ch},"

"{T}o {sh}ow {m}y {j}oy," &c.

The founding of Yale College in 1701 gives: "{T}oo{k} a {s}ea{t},"

"{Th}e {c}o{s}{t}," "{Th}e {q}ue{s}{t}," "{Th}e {c}a{s}{t}," "A {t}a{x} {d}ue," or "{T}oo{k} a {c}i{t}y," &c.

Sometimes the first consonants only of words are used. Comenius, Educational Reformer (things before words, pictured ill.u.s.trations, &c.) and Moravian Bishop, was born 1592: or (1) {Th}ings (5) We{l}l (9) {P}ictured (2) {N}ow. He died 1671; or A (1) {T}eaching (6) {Ch}urchman (7) {G}ave (1) Ou{t}.

SYNTHETIC TRANSLATION OF FIGURES.

_When the word or phrase used to translate figures sustains no relation of In., Ex., or Con., to the event itself, that word or phrase is synthetic and is dealt with hereafter._

Nearly all the translating words given in this section so far are synthetic. "The coughing," sustains no relation of In., Ex., or Con., to the adoption of the Const.i.tution of the U. S., and is therefore relegated to the next chapter for the method of cementing it to that event if we were obliged to use that phrase.

Synthesis will be sometimes hereafter resorted to to connect in our minds an event to its date. When this will be necessary, the sequel will show.