The letter H, past, present, and future: A treatise, with rules for the silent H, based on modern usage; and notes on WH

=A WORD TO THE WISE, OR HINTS ON THE CURRENT= Improprieties of Expression in Writing and Speaking. By PARRY GWYNNE. Fifteenth Thousand. 18mo, sewed 6d., or cloth, gilt edges, 1s.

“All who wish to mind their p’s and q’s should consult this little volume.”—_Gentleman’s Magazine._

=A COMPENDIOUS GRAMMAR, AND PHILOLOGICAL HAND=book of the English Language, for the Use of Schools and Candidates for the Army and Civil Service Examinations. By JOHN GEORGE COLQUHOUN, Esq., Barrister-at-Law. Fcap. 8vo, cloth, 2s. 6d.

“A real and very useful accession to the list of English manuals.”—_Educational Times._

“We are not acquainted with any single volume that in such a small compass contains so much useful information.”—_Scholastic Register._

“Just the book we should like to see in Training Colleges, and placed in the hands of Pupil Teachers.”—_National Schoolmaster._

GRIFFITH AND FARRAN, WEST CORNER ST PAUL’S CHURCHYARD, LONDON. E. P. DUTTON AND CO., NEW YORK.

THE LETTER =H= PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE A Treatise: WITH RULES FOR THE SILENT H, BASED ON MODERN USAGE; AND NOTES ON WH.

BY ALFRED LEACH.

A breath can make them.... GOLDSMITH.

GRIFFITH & FARRAN SUCCESSORS TO NEWBERY AND HARRIS, WEST CORNER ST PAUL’S CHURCHYARD, LONDON E. P. DUTTON & CO., NEW YORK

MDCCCLXXX.

The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved.

PREFACE.

The contradictory rules that are given for the employment of H’s, and the confusion that reigns in our best Pronouncing Dictionaries, constitute an apology for the appearance of this publication. To promote an uniform pronunciation based on the sole authority of contemporary usage, is one of its purposes. To draw attention to the nature of the present English Aspirate, is another. To seek redress for the digraph WH, is a third. To render the subjects as interesting to the general reader as the matter would allow, has been the great desire of the writer.

It is with gratitude that I beg to express my thanks to the gentlemen whose kind courtesy I have acknowledged on page 56; and to Professor Bain, Professor Skeat, and His Eminence Cardinal Archbishop Manning, to whose kindness I am indebted for assistance in the form of valuable comments and advice. I beg also to thank the Rev. W. H. Bleaden, curate to the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney; and John Davidson, Esq., Memb. Arts Club, London, for the friendly help they have given me.

A. L.

YUDU VILLA, THORNTON HEATH, October 1880.

CONTENTS.