424 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



we have a finer illustration still, where the vowel is thrice re- 

 peated, in the manner of a crescendo : — 



Undemeath are the everZas/ing arms. — Deut. xxxiii. 37. 



This vowel, which contributes more than any other to dignity 

 in composition, is in marked contrast to the short a in fat, to 

 which I shall hereafter more particularly refer. Hence the 

 practice — which is, or was, fashionable in America, and of 

 which we have all met with examples — of entirely eliminating 

 this sound, and substituting the short a, is a serious degi'ada- 

 tion of the language. Were there no distinctions in mental 

 effect a change like this would be immaterial ; but we know 

 that it is of real significance. When we hear any one speak of 

 the last, of an anser for answer, or of pastors and masters, we 

 are conscious of affectation and effeminacy on the part of the 

 speaker. Compare the doubled long a in taskmaster with the 

 doubled short vowel in rapscallion, and note the contrast. This 

 long vowel a is the predominant and characteristic sound in 

 the ^laori language, and is generally the vowel selected for the 

 long-drawn note in their songs and chants. 



The full is marked by a bold and resolute quality ; in- 

 volving also the ideas of vastness, mystery, and solemnity. 

 We have it in such words as the open ocean, and it meets us in 

 the roll of its foaming waves. It is the key-note of words like 

 bold, noble, rover, roam, foeman ; and its minor undertone 

 comes in in words like dole, moan, and ^coe. Gold, which, re- 

 lated to gules, was commonly pronounced " goold " a century 

 ago, has fallen into this category — partly, no doubt, on account 

 of its spelling, but, I am inclined to think, partly also from a 

 perception of the vowel-quality of the o. In dignity and 

 gravity this sound is second only to the a in far, and is bolder, 

 fuller, and more open in quality. 



Fuller still is the broad a in fall. This is one of the vowels 

 that has a definite meaning in the form of a monosyllable, and 

 that word — aive — fauiy indicates its quality. It is the vowel 

 of sublimity, a sound entering largely into hymns and the 

 loftier kinds of poetical composition, and appeals to the faculty 

 of " veneration." As a famihar instance of the free use of this 

 sound, and its characteristic effect, may be cited the popular 

 hymn of praise, " Crown Him Lord of all." 



The longc is the vowel of brightness and clearness, " sweet- 

 ness and light " — giving its distinctive character to words like 

 free and glee. It is the vowel of the sea (b}- no means 

 synonymous with "ocean") and its deeps, of the creek, the 

 stream, the mountain peak and valley steep, the viead, the tree, 

 and the passing breeze. It glitters in the sheen of steel, and 

 chills us in the freezing sleet. In the early spring and through 

 the summer it is the note of Nature, meeting us everywhere 



