on the Englifh Alphabet. 19k 
this found: yet true it is that fuch letter is H, 
whereto we give the name of aitch,* and this really 
comprehending the found which is continually pre- 
ceded by an ufelefs affociate. This fimple character 
is called etch in the Synopfis. 
But to confider H in its ufually fimple, uncon- 
nected form, as to other confonants, we are taught 
that it was originally ufed as a mark of afpiration by 
the Greeks, and continued as fuch with the Romans 
as long as their language. 
In 
* In the Ruffian language this found is judicioufly 
marked by one letter, and that exatly like our fmall h 
inverted thus y. 
+ For éxdlov, they wrote Hexdlov; &c. but afterwards 
dividing the letter, thus, H, the firft moiety was ufed for 
the afpirate; and the latter was unneceflarily placed to 
fhew that the vowel was not aipirated. 
It feems fafhionable, in much modern printing, to lay 
afide both thefe marks, ‘as well as the accents, altogether : 
whereas one of them and the accents are frequently of 
great ufe, in difcerning words of fimilar letters, but dif- 
ferent meaning: although it appears true, as many have 
afferted, that there is no analogy between the prefent and 
the ancient rules of accent, which laft never offended 
againft the rules of quantity. Concerning accents, Arif- 
totle fays: megh dv uaS’ Exacov év Toit wergindic moocd- 
xe bewedy.* From the prefent ufe of the accents, how- 
ever, the ear will derive but {mall affiftance or fatisfa&tion: 
‘it is the eye which muft make the diftin&tion between 
words, 
* See Winftanley’s Edition of Ariftotle’s Poetics, page 64. 
