word being distinguished from each other solely by quantity, as in Greek and Latin. (See § 29.) But in this work, as in others, an accent is placed on the long syllable, in conformity with the principle observed in the accentuation of Greek and Latin words.

In the Germanic family of languages, the principal accent falls upon the radical syllable; but, in consequence of the vast proportion of compound words, secondarily accented syllables abound, so that two, and sometimes even three or four, accents of nearly equal force may occur in the same word. It is evident, that, to those who are familiar with the meaning and composition of words in these languages, the accentuation must be easy; but no general rules can be given.

Italian words are mostly accented on the penultimate syllable; the same is true of Spanish and Portuguese words ending in a vowel, while those ending in a consonant, in these two languages, are generally accented on the last syllable. But the exceptions-especially in Italian are so numerous that the rule is not, perhaps, of much practical utility.

Polish words are invariably accented on the penultimate syllable; while the seat of the accent in Russian words is almost always the last syllable.

Spaced letters are used to distinguish forms of spelling which are not so common or so well authorized as those adopted in the vocabulary.

SC.,
Scand.,

scene.

Scot.,

Shak.,

Sp.,

Sw.,

"AS PEOPLE READ NOTHING IN THESE DAYS THAT IS MORE THAN FORTYEIGHT HOURS OLD, I AM DAILY ADMONISHED THAT ALLUSIONS, THE MOST OBVIOUS, TO ANY THING IN THE REAR OF OUR OWN TIME NEED EXPLANATION." - DE QUINCEY.