on the Englifh Alphabet. 179 
‘“‘ buntur, alii fint compofiti, alii fuapte natura 
** jidem cum compofitis. 
“« Sexdecim igitur antique Cadmi litere ex 
‘‘ Pheenicia in Greciam illate, et totidem fonis 
‘* fimplicibus exprimendis reperte, funt he, «, €, 
$F 4, Oy Ey. ty My Ay Py Vy 0, Ty Q, 0,7, 0. Nam aliz 
‘* preterea octo illis addite funt partim a Palamede, 
** partim a Simonide, videcilet y, w, ¢, , 4, 3; 
** , x3; quod nulla quidem neceffitate factum eft, 
** fed maximo tamen cum fructu, ut fcriptio minus 
** effet laboriofa, magisque compendiofa.’* may 
Now the confonants in the preceding number of 
Cadmean letters are only eleven; but as %, 3, o, 
% though afpirated, are not double, according to 
the prefent pronunciation, each being eafily found- 
ed, during one particular conformation of the 
organs of fpeech, by one fimple contemporary 
energy of the breath; hence it is evident that the 
fimple founds may be reafonably accounted rirTEEN. 
In the German Language there are upwards of 
two hundred words beginning with pf, which 
character is truly of two letters; the found of each 
being diftin&ly heard, as: Pferd, pflicht, @c.— 
This, however, even fhould it really be the genu- 
ine found of @, does in no wife leffen the number 
of fimple founds in the Greek: for allowing that 
west ay - one 
* Adolph. Mekerch, Commentar. de Veteri et Reéta 
Pronunciatione Grece Lingue, page 50. copied from 
Beza de Germana Pronunciatione Grece Lingua, page g 
& 4. 
