“H” prescribes the Aspirate; “v” indicates that the vowel is not to be aspirated. The pronunciation recommended in this work is shown in the first column.

Wk. J. O. N. Wor. S. R. C. D. B.
HEIR
HOUR
HONEST
HONOR
and all their formatives		 v v v v v v v v v v v
except
honorarium and v v H H v
honorary v v v v v v H or v v
HERB H v v v v v H v H H or v H
herbaceous H H v v H v H H H H
herbage H v v H or v H or v H H H H or v
herbal H H v H H H H H
herbalist H H v H H H
herbivorous H v H H H
herborisation H v H H H H
HOSPITAL H v H H H H H H H or v H
hospitalier H H H H H
hospitable H H H H H H H H
HOSPICE H H H H or v H
HOTEL H H H H H H H H
HOSTEL H H H H H H H H
hostelry H H H H H H H
Hostler v v v v v v H H or v H or v v
(ostler) v
hosteler H H
HUMOR H {Smart proposed that this word, meaning moisture, fluids, &c. should be aspirated.
humoral H v H v H or v H H v v
HUMOUR H or v v v H H or v v H H or v v v
humourism H or v H v H or v
Humourist H or v v H v v H H or v v
humourous H or v v H v v H v
humoursome H or v v H v v H
HUMBLE H v v v H or v H or v H H H or v H or v H or v
HUMILITY H H v H H

A blank generally indicates that no distinct opinion is expressed in the work consulted.

KEY TO REFERENCES.

Wk.— Critical Pronouncing Dictionary. By John Walker. Glasgow: Blackie & Son. 1847. J.— Dictionary of the English Language. By Samuel Johnson. 4th Edition. 1786. O.— Comprehensive English Dictionary. By John Ogilvie, LL.D. London: Blackie & Son. 1874. N.— Pronouncing Dictionary of the English Language. By P. Austin Nuttall, LL.D. London: Geo. Routledge & Sons. 1873. Wor.— Critical Pronouncing Dictionary. By Joseph E. Worcester. London: Geo. Routledge & Sons. 1875. S.— Etymological and Pronouncing Dictionary. By Rev. Jas. Stormonth. London: Wm. Blackwood & Sons. 1879. R.— Webster’s Improved Pronouncing Dictionary. By Chas. Robson. London: Ward, Lock & Tyler. No date—recent. C.— Dictionary of the English Language. By Arnold J. Cooley. London and Edbro’: W. & R. Chambers. No date—recent edition. D.— Chambers’ Etymological Dictionary. By Jas. Donald, F.R.G.S. 1878. B.— Bell’s Standard Elocutionist. London: Wm. Mullan & Son. 1879.

If it be granted that of yore, orthoepists based their decisions with regard to the silent H on no other authority than that of their own assertions, or on dogmatic, or even spurious etymology, it flows as a corollary that these ancient law-givers can claim no allegiance from modern speakers. And again, if modern compilers of “pronouncing dictionaries,” being the direct descendants of the ancient orthoepists, assume the right of hereditary legislation, and persist in their attempts to govern our modern pronunciation by the worthless traditions of their predecessors, the yoke of their archaical jurisdiction must be thrown off altogether. We may therefore approach the question of “What words now have silent H’s?” entirely free from the bias of traditionary lore, and from the pressure of antiquarian and etymological considerations.

When preparing to obtain a firm basis upon which to found and sustain a plea for the recognition of a standard pronunciation founded on contemporary usage, the writer solicited the advice of Professor Bain, whose friendly assistance was partly conveyed in the following:—

“Where usage conflicts, we must first decide who are to be received as authorities. It seems to me that the stage is better than any other, and the habits of great actors might be referred to. The cultivated society of the metropolis ought to furnish a guide, but we can hardly fix upon a person representing them.”

Acting according to the spirit of this advice, the writer has consulted the USAGE OF CULTIVATED SOCIETY as represented by a number of gentlemen whose various qualifications eminently fit them to fulfil the conditions laid down by Dr Bain.[[9]] The result of the inquiry, and of personal and attentive observation, furnishes the following rules:—

Rule I. H is silent in Heir, Honest, Honor, Hour, and in their formatives, inclusive of honorarium (15) and honorary (18).