260 comstock's phonology. 



iiiiocciipicd by other thoughts. As it is witli the picture, so is it with 

 Tupper; he must be studied to be appreciated. We may admire his 

 work because the people say that it is a great book, but the delicate 

 shades of perfection, the wide but well defined outline of character, the 

 profound acquaintance with that mystery of mysteries, the human heart 

 in all its labyrinthian workings, do not strike us until we have pondered 

 and digested the work thorougiily, viewed it in every light, and scanned 

 tlie proper, tliough sometimes hidden, meaning of every sentence. An- 

 other of Tuppcr's characteristics and virtues is liis great simplicity and 

 ease of expression. The merest tyro in the paths of learning, who 

 scarcely knows how to tread her mazy windings, cannot mistake his 

 way here. How can he possibly err, if he practice the principles therein 

 enforced with so much of the "swauiier in modof'' How can he do 

 otherwise than act the '■'•fortilcr in rcV In short, it is one of the books 

 which Lamb says, are, hooks^ and we cordially recommend it to the at- 

 tentive perusal of every admirer of the pure old Saxon, in which the 

 writers of the golden age of English literature conveyed tlieir opinions 



to the world. 



"A spark is a molecule of matter, yet it may kindle the world j 

 Vast is the mighty ocean, but drops have made it roll. " 



Alpha. 



COMSTOCK S PHONOLOGY. 



A Treatise on Phonology ; comprising a perfect ulphahct of the Eng- 

 lish language^ a system of vocal gymnastics^ exercises in orthogra- 

 phif^ reading and declamation, and TrnMAN's phonetic short-hand. — 

 By A.NOREW CoMSTOcK, M. D., Pliiladelphia, 1846. 



We are pleased to find that tlic orlliography of our language at- 

 tracts increased attention from day to day. Since we first commenced 

 the discussion of this subject in the Journal, we have become acquainted 

 with at least half a dozen treatises upon the subject, most of which have 

 api)earcd within the space of two or three years. In addition to this, 

 the periodical literature of the day, from the Newspaper to the gravest 

 Quarteily Review, discusses it in its various aspects with more or less of 

 interest and ability. These are all encouraging facts, and satisfy us that 

 this movement must go forward, and that it will not cease until our al- 

 phabet has been subjected to that reformation, the necessity of which is 

 a matter of demonstration. 



But whilst we rejoice in every indiration of interest in this subject, 

 we think it no less necessary to be \\[mi\ our !]uard uijaiubt all superli- 



