[§ 153]. Its inconsistency.—The f in fan, and the v in van, sounds in a certain degree of relationship to p and b, are expressed by sounds as unlike as f is unlike p, and as v is unlike b. The sound of the th in thin, the th in thine, the sh in shine, similarly related to t, d, and s, are expressed by signs as like t, d, and s, respectively, as th and sh.
The compound sibilant sound of j in jest is spelt with
the single sign j, whilst the compound sibilant sound in chest is spelt with the combination ch.
[§ 154]. Erroneousness.—The sound of the ee in feet is considered the long (independent) sound of the e in bed; whereas it is the long (independent) sound of the i in pit.
The i in bite is considered as the long (independent) sound of the i in pit; whereas it is a diphthongal sound.
The u in duck is looked upon as a modification of the u in bull; whereas it is a specifically distinct sound.
The ou in house and the oi in oil are looked upon as the compounds of o and i and of o and u respectively; whereas the latter element of them is not i and u, but y and w.
The th in thin and the th in thine are dealt with as one and the same sound; whereas they are sounds specifically distinct.
The ch in chest is dealt with as a modification of c (either with the power of k or of s); whereas its elements are t and sh.
[§ 155]. Redundancy.—As far as the representation of sounds is concerned the letter c is superfluous. In words like citizen it may be replaced by s; in words like cat by k. In ch, as in chest, it has no proper place. In ch, as in mechanical, it may be replaced by k.