1. —Two consonants of the same kind with no vowel between, provided they have the same sound, are treated as one consonant, as “ll” = 5, “nn” = 2, “rr” = 4, “dd” = 1, &c. The first two consonants have different values in the word “accident” = 70121.
  2. —All silent consonants are disregarded, as “b” in “Lamb” = 53, “Comb” = 73, or in “Tomb” = 13. “Ph” and “h” in “Phthisic” = 107; “gh” in Bought = 91; “k” in Know = 2; “gh” in Neighbours = 2940; “l” in Could = 71, or in Psalm = 03.
  3. —The equivalents of the figure-consonants have the same value as those consonants themselves, as “gh” in “Tough” = 18, “gh” in Enough = 28; “gh” in Rough = 48. “Phrase” = 840, “Nymph” = 238, “Lock” = 57. “N” sometimes sounds like ng, and so represents 7, as in “Bank” (977) which sounds like “bang” (not “ban”) with a “k” after it; ng are not always taken together as one sound and translated into 7, but when they sound separately are treated separately, as in engage = 276[ Footnote [D]. X = gs or ks = 70, as in example = 70395; in oxygen = 7062. Sometimes X = Z, as in Xerxes = 04700,‌ and then it = 0. Ci and ti, and sometimes si and sci = sh, as gracious = 7460; Nation = 262; Conscience = 72620. Dge = j, as in Judge = 66. Tch = ch = 6, as in ditch = 16 (it rhymes with rich = 46). Ch sometimes = k, as in Christmas = 74030. S and z sometimes = zh, which is the cognate equivalent of sh = 6, as in pleasure = 9564, and in Crozier = 7464. Acquiesce = 70, excrescence = 7074020.
  4. —No notice is taken of any vowel or of w (war = 4) or y (yoke = 7), or of h (the = 1) except as part of ch or sh. Words like Weigh, Whey, &c., having no figure values, are never counted. If one word ends with, and the next word begins with, the same consonant, they are both reckoned, as That Toad = 1111.
  1. When will facility be attained?
  2. Are these rules to be carefully studied?
  3. Repeat the first rule.
  4. What value is given to silent consonants?
  5. What have the same value as the consonants themselves?
  6. What does the consonant “N” sometimes sound like?
  7. What value is assigned to it in such cases?
  8. What is the consonant X equal to?

HOW TO DEAL WITH DECIMAL FRACTIONS.

The pupil may skip the next paragraph if not wishing to deal with decimals.

[As a rule, it is better not to use words beginning with S, except to translate decimals and fractions, and Date-words where a doubt might otherwise arise (unless in a phrase like “To see Jiji,” “delay a spy,” &c.); and in case of the decimals, S, as the initial letter, means (not 0, but) the decimal point. (1) If there is an integer followed by a decimal, two separate words are used; the decimal-word begins with S, thus: 945.51 = barley sold; 71.3412 = “good Samaritan.” (2) If it is a decimal by itself, the S indicates the decimal point only; .01 = society; .02 = Susan; .94 = sparrow. (3) If it is a vulgar fraction, the words translating numerator and denominator begin with‌ S, and the S’s are not counted, the numerator-word coming first, and the denominator-word last; thus 5/12 = sell Satan.]

As to Date-words, just before the Christian Era you may use an initial S [or the vowel A, or any other vowel], as, Stir would mean 14 B.C. [Before Christ]; and, of course, Tower would mean 14 A.D. [for Anno Domini—in the year of our Lord]; Soar = 4 B.C., and Rue = 4 A.D. In a Date-word like Trial, to express 145 B.C., no doubt could arise; if the Pupil knows the contemporary history, he could not imagine it could be 290 later, or 145 A.D. If he fears he might not remember that it was B.C. he could remove all doubt by using the word Stroll, or any other word which translates 145 and begins with S.

  1. Do we ever take any notice of a vowel?
  2. Are there any words which do not have a figure value, and if so, what are they?
  3. When do we use the letter “S” in dealing with decimals?
  4. When does “S” indicate the decimal point?
  5. When are two separate words used?
  6. In such cases, with what does the decimal word begin?
  7. In case of a vulgar fraction, what words begin with “S”?
  8. Are the S’s then counted?
  9. Which word comes first?
  10. How may we deal with date-words which express the time of events before the Christian Era?
  11. After?

For convenience of reference I now give the figure Alphabet tabulated.

0123456789
S
Z
Csoft		t
th		nmrlsh
j
ch
gsoft		ghard
k
chard
q
ng		f
v		b
p

If the pupil has mastered the Figure Alphabet he will proceed with the greatest satisfaction and profit. If he has not mastered it, let him carefully review the foregoing‌ pages of this chapter, and then he can advance with the assurance of meeting no difficulties.